#466 Erica Mulholland - Managing Injuries In Female Youth Sports

#466 Erica Mulholland - Managing Injuries In Female Youth Sports

Author: Andrew Coates May 5, 2026 Duration: 59:36

Erica Mulholland is a strength coach who specializes in young female athletes and the author of Female Athlete High Performance.


Erica joins me to share her expertise on:


Are injury rates higher in young female athletes

What’s going on with knee injuries in young female athletes

What increases knee injury risk and what we can do to reduce that risk

Is early sport specialization a problem for young athletes

How private equity has entered and created problems in youth sports

Talking to parents about the pressure to specialize

Is there an age where young female athletes should start strength training

How to approach load management for young athletes

How to incorporate plyometrics into training

How to ensure young athletes aren’t overtraining

Thoughts on the problems with the “work/life balance” narrative for coaches

And much more


Instagram: @fitsoccerqueen


CHAPTERS


00:01:10 Injury Rates in Female Athletes

00:03:05 Overuse, Fatigue, and Volume Problems

00:05:05 Hormones, Cycle Syncing, and Injury Myths

00:06:00 Strength Training as Injury Prevention

00:08:10 Growth Spurts and Female Athlete Development

00:10:05 Plyometrics and Athletic Development

00:11:05 What Actually Causes Injuries (Fatigue vs Mechanics)

00:13:00 Case Study: Strength and ACL Injury Prevention

00:15:20 Overtraining and Poor Programming

00:17:15 Why “Imbalances” Aren’t the Problem

00:20:10 Reaction Time and Brain-Based Training

00:23:00 Warmups, Recovery, and Sleep

00:24:50 Nutrition Challenges in Female Athletes

00:29:45 Early Sport Specialization

00:31:50 Multi-Sport Athletes and Long-Term Success

00:34:00 Identifying Talent and Development Pathways

00:37:50 Private Equity and Youth Sports Issues

00:38:50 Parental Pressure and Scholarship Myths

00:40:00 Athlete Burnout and Dropout

00:41:00 What Youth Sports Should Actually Teach

00:42:10 Growth of Women’s Sports

00:48:05 Work Ethic vs Work-Life Balance in Coaching

00:51:00 Building a Career in Fitness

00:56:00 Final Thoughts and Takeaways


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Andrew Coates hosts Lift Free And Diet Hard, a conversation grounded in the belief that strength and wellness are built on more than just routines. This podcast moves beyond quick fixes to examine the principles and personal stories that shape a sustainable, intentional life. You’ll hear from a variety of inspiring guests who share not only their expertise but also the real-world challenges and triumphs they’ve faced. The discussions naturally weave together the science of fitness with the practicalities of daily choices, offering a nuanced look at what it means to truly care for your physical and mental health. Each episode is designed to provide actionable insights you can use to navigate your own path, fostering resilience and confidence whether you're in the gym or the kitchen. By focusing on informed decision-making over dogma, the Lift Free And Diet Hard podcast becomes a resource for anyone looking to cut through the noise of wellness culture. Andrew facilitates these explorations with a focus on empowerment, ensuring every conversation adds a layer of understanding to the complex journey of building a strong, healthy life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Lift Free And Diet Hard with Andrew Coates
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