Erica Warren UAC Program

11/17/2025

“Listen… choosing the right sport isn’t about being the best.
It’s about finding the movement that feels like HOME.”

So many kids (and adults too, Lord…) force themselves into sports that drain them because it’s what their friends play, what their family expects, or what they “should” be good at. But guess what?

The sport that’s FOR you is the one that makes your body come alive.
The one that feels like peace, power, and possibility at the same time.

Here’s the truth most folks don’t hear:

🏀 When you enjoy your sport, you’re 3x more likely to stick with it.
🏊‍♀️ Introverts thrive in low-pressure, individual sports like swimming or track.
🏈 Extroverts recharge through team sports that build connection and energy.

And best believe… your body will TELL you which one fits you.
Calm? Excited? Focused? That’s your inner coach talking. Listen to it.

If you’re trying to figure out your “sport identity,” ask yourself:

1️⃣ What sport makes you feel confident or at peace?
2️⃣ When you move, what emotions rise up — joy, pressure, freedom?
3️⃣ How can you turn that movement into a weekly habit that supports your mental health?

The right sport isn’t chosen once — it’s discovered.
Follow the one that makes you feel like you.

✨ Follow for more powerful movement-based mental health tools that help youth and families heal, grow, and thrive.

11/16/2025

Guess what? Every kid doesn’t thrive in fast-paced, high-pressure sports… and Lord, that’s not a bad thing.

Some youth are wired for the calm.
Some need a sport that lets them breathe.
Some just want to move at their pace — not the pace everybody else is yelling at them to keep.

In this scenario, yoga and swimming didn’t make him “less athletic.”
They made him confident.
They made him happy.
They made him feel like he finally fit somewhere.

And isn’t that the whole point?

When we let kids explore movement without judgment, they don’t just find a sport.
They find themselves.

Best believe: the right sport will match your energy, not drain it.

11/15/2025

Uh oh… let’s talk about something simple that changes everything for our kids 👇🏽

Most youth don’t need another lecture.
They need a lane — a sport that matches their energy, their personality, and the way they move through the world.

Because guess what?
Every kid ain’t built for the same field, the same court, or the same pressure. And that’s okay.

Some of our babies thrive in quiet, steady spaces — yoga, swimming, running.
Some come alive when the gym gets loud — basketball, soccer, volleyball, football.

And then there are the kids who burn hot, who need something high-energy to regulate and release — kickboxing, martial arts, cycling, tennis.

When you help a young person choose the right sport, you’re not just keeping them busy.
You’re giving them a coping tool.
A confidence boost.
A safe place to feel their feelings and figure out who they are.

Best believe — the right sport can change a child’s whole life.

If you’re trying to help a young person find their lane, this guide is for you.
Save it. Share it. Use it.

Their breakthrough might be one practice away. 🖤⚽🏀🏊‍♂️

11/14/2025

Picture this: a kid sitting on the bleachers, head in their hands, not because they’re weak…but because life has been swinging at them nonstop. Grades slipping. Home chaotic. Body tired. Mind racing. And they’re trying to hold it together with tape and prayers.

Stress? Lord… it’s real.
But here’s the truth nobody told us growing up:

Stress ain’t always the enemy.
Sometimes it’s just your body whispering, “Hey…something needs attention.”
The power is in learning how to manage it before it manages you.

Here’s what hit me:
• Over 70% of teens say stress and anxiety get to them every single day.
• Stress shows up as headaches, irritability, sadness, overwhelm…you name it.
• But movement—hooping, running, dancing, walking—literally tells the brain,
“Calm down, I got you.”

Guess what?
You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to move.

Next time you feel it boiling up, try this:
Take a walk. Shoot around. Do ten jumping jacks. Turn the music up.
Then pause and ask yourself:
“What can I control right now?”

Because that question?
That’s where the strength lives.

Before you scroll, reflect real quick:
1. What’s been stressing you the most lately?
2. How does your body show you you’re overwhelmed?
3. What’s the one small thing that calms you down the fastest?

You’re not weak for feeling stress.
You’re human.
And the way you respond?
That’s the part that makes you powerful.

— Coach Erica 🖤🏀

11/13/2025

⛹🏽‍♀️ “What’s the point? I’m not good at sports.”
Lord… if I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard a kid say that when life is weighing them down.

But here’s the truth nobody told us growing up:
Movement isn’t about being perfect — it’s about feeling free.

In this scene, a parent is trying to reach their teen, not with pressure, not with lectures, but with an invitation:

✨ “It’s not about perfection; it’s about feeling better and having fun through moving your body.”

And guess what?
That’s the whole heartbeat of Using Athletics to Cope.

When life feels heavy…
When stress starts messing with your mind and body…
When you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or shut down…

Movement opens a door.
Sports build confidence.
Physical activity regulates your nervous system.
And the right support helps you breathe again.

So let me ask you —
What’s stressing you out?
What triggers are draining your peace, your focus, your energy?

And more importantly:
How can movement help you take some of that power back?

Because best believe… moving your body is one of the most underrated mental health tools out here.

Drop one thing that’s been stressing you in the comments — and one physical activity that helps you reset. 💬🏀💚

You hear me?
We’re walking this out together.

11/12/2025

Let’s talk about it — stress isn’t weakness. It’s information.
When you understand where it’s coming from, you can turn it into fuel. 🔥

Common stressors? Academic pressure, social challenges, and family expectations.
Signs? Fatigue. Headaches. Anxiety. Irritability. Depression.

Now here’s the good news: movement helps regulate it all. 🏃🏾‍♀️🏀
That’s why we use athletics as a bridge to healing — because sometimes, the best therapy starts on the court, not the couch.

💚 “Understanding your stress is the first step in turning it into strength.”

11/12/2025

10/27/2025

📍 Mission Monday at ETSU

Today we showed up strong at East Tennessee State University reppin’ Using Athletics to Cope (UAC) — because the mission doesn’t stop at the gym or the field. 💪🏽

We’re out here building stronger futures together, showing students and community members how movement isn’t just about fitness — it’s about healing, discipline, and mental strength. 🧠🏃🏽‍♀️

Our team believes in empowering youth through movement, and we’re on a mission to make sure every young person knows they have what it takes to rise above their circumstances.

If you’re at ETSU, stop by and say hey 👋🏽 — grab some info, a smile, and learn how you can get involved with UAC.

10/25/2025

🎃 TRUNK OR TREAT 2025 — DOWNTOWN KINGSPORT 👻
We showed up, showed out, and spread some love (and candy!) today at Downtown Kingsport’s Trunk or Treat! 🍬💚

Using Athletics to Cope was out here repping movement, mentorship, and mental health — because even on spooky days, we’re all about building stronger kids and stronger communities.

Big shoutout to every family who stopped by our trunk, laughed with us, and learned what UAC is all about. Your support means everything! 🙌🏽

🖤💚 Movement heals. Mentorship matters. Mental health wins.

10/25/2025

Thanks for having us! We enjoyed serving 🙌🏽

10/10/2025

🎃🍂 Going to Stickley Farm this fall? 🍂🎃

Purchase your $15 wristband from us or any Jr. Patriot Basketball player, and 50% of the proceeds come right back to support our program! 🏀💪

📍 Come see us THIS SATURDAY at Bluff City Heritage Days to grab your wristband and help support Jr. Patriots Basketball! 🙌

10/08/2025

Did you know?

“Youth without access to mentors are twice as likely to skip school and 46% more likely to begin using illegal substances.”
(Sycamore Institute, 2023)

That’s not just a statistic—it’s a warning.
At Using Athletics to Cope, we’re changing that story by pairing youth with mentors who lead through movement, mindset, and real connection.
Because when a young person has someone in their corner, skipping school turns into showing up, and risk turns into resilience. 💪🏽

🧠 Learn more or get involved: usingathleticstocope.com

📩 info@usingathleticstocope.com

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