56 | From Anxiety to Confidence: The Power of Fitness for Teens with Neil Sheppard
Hi Parents!
What if helping your anxious teen build confidence had less to do with what you say, and more to do with how they move their body?
In today’s episode, I’m joined by Neil Sheppard, founder of the Inner Athlete system, to explore the powerful connection between movement and mental health. Neil shares how strength training, structure, and intentional physical activity can help teens manage anxiety, build emotional resilience, and reconnect with their sense of self.
More About Neil:
Neil Sheppard is a performance coach, the founder of the Inner Athlete system, and owner of Dynamic Sport Group in Oakville, Ontario. With a strong foundation in youth development, physical literacy, and strength and conditioning, Neil helps teens and athletes develop confidence, resilience, and a sense of emotional well-being through movement.
His approach was born from personal experience - after years of high-level sport and physical labor, Neil faced multiple injuries and a loss of athletic identity. Stuck in the in-between of not injured enough for therapy, but not strong enough to train, he began rebuilding both physically and emotionally. That process laid the groundwork for the Inner Athlete system, which bridges the gap between rehab and performance.
Today, Neil helps young people tap into the power of their bodies as a path to self-trust, mental strength, and long-term growth. We’ll dive into why movement can be such a powerful tool for self-regulation, how it boosts self-trust, and why progress is the mindset teens need most right now.
Whether your teen is an athlete or just trying to feel more comfortable in their own skin, this conversation offers a fresh, practical lens on what it really takes to feel strong, physically and emotionally.
Big hugs,
Monica Crnogorac
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