Real Talk for Sport Parents Podcast

Hosted by Samantha Livingstone

Ep. 14 - Tony Hajjar - How to Support Your Child in Sports

Without Adding Pressure

In this episode, host Samantha Livingstone sits down with Tony Hajjar, a coach, entrepreneur, and performance expert. Tony shares his journey from growing up in a coach's household to becoming a co-founder of Drive Custom Fitness and Hajjar Volleyball and Performance Center. He discusses his coaching philosophy of 'kids first, wins second,' emphasizing emotional intelligence, personal growth, and community building over perfection. The conversation delves into Tony's personal experiences as a sports dad, the importance of allowing children to play multiple sports, and providing a supportive environment for young athletes. Tony also shares insights on maintaining balance as a parent-coach and ensuring that the love for the game remains intact for children. The episode is filled with practical advice on how sports parents can foster a positive and empowering atmosphere for their young athletes.

· 01:28 Tony's Coaching Philosophy and Background

· 04:53 The Impact of Tony's Father on His Coaching

· 08:57 Tony's Journey Through Coaching and Personal Growth

· 27:05 Transition to Drive Custom Fitness and Community Building

· 32:25 Founding Elite Seacoast Volleyball Academy

· 37:26 Parental Pressure and Its Impact on Kids

· 40:28 Onboarding Coaches with the Right Philosophy

· 45:59 The Importance of Letting Kids Lead

· 52:12 The Role of Parents in Athletic Development

Quotes

• "I was born in really a, a coach's household. My dad, my dad came here and the early seventies from the Ivory Coast of Africa, um, as a soccer player in a volleyball player. And that journey really started. You know, his transition to America." [03:27]

• "I had a two year run where, yeah, I think I won a total of eight games. It was the worst two seasons of, of my life, but it brought so much light to how athletes are created." [16:25]

• "If we could project what everyone's outcome would be, everyone would be millionaires because we'd be at Vegas betting on everything." [58:21]

Social Media and Links

· RTSP Instagram

· samanthalivingstone

· drivecustomfit.com

· Instagram: @tonyhajjarfit

· Elitez Volleyball Academy

Tony's Bio:

As a Fitness Expert and Master Instructor, Tony Hajjar delivers a passionate level of energy and inspiration that is unrivaled. Driven to inspire, Tony delivers an unparalleled experience and motivates clients- of all fitness levels and ages- to push beyond perceived limitations and achieve their personal best.

Hajjar's philosophy is to connect with clients and create an atmosphere where finding the true you is allowed, a customized approach to well-being. This allows members of all ages, fitness levels, and personal goals to push beyond their limits and see that real results have been met.

Hajjar has trained professional boxers, professional volleyball players, snowboarders, and other high-level athletes, as well as numerous beginners to the world of exercise. His clients also include people with arthritis, rehabilitation patients, and people recovering from major surgeries such as liver transplants.

Tony's certifications:

· AFFA & NASM Certified Personal Trainer

· Baptiste Power Yoga 200 RYT

· Yoga Fit Training Systems Worldwide Inc

· ASFA Sports Nutritionist

· NESTA Sports Agility and Quickness

· Bommarito University Level I

· TRX Suspension Trainer

· Safe Sport

· IMPACT

· Certified Life coach

· Certified Nutrition Specialist NASM

· Certified Nutrition Specialist ACE

· CPR & AED Certified

· Certified Coach through National Collegiate Athletic Association and Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association