Welcome to Trainingwrecked!

Hi! I’m Kristine. Former gymnast, forever cheerleader. The most graceful klutz you’ll ever meet (so says Dad).

Welcome to my stories of calamity, catastrophe, and other cautionary tales from my 15 years in youth sports and the 30-year recovery journey I’ve been on since.

Little Permed Kristine with Mary Lou Retton at a mall visit in Milwaukee (circa ‘85)

My parents *kinda* blame Mary Lou Retton. During the ’84 Olympics, I started using the tub as a balance beam, and not long after, they relocated my shenanigans to a legitimate gymnastics program. Months later, I was on team, and for the next fifteen years, I tumbled (Level 10), dove (WI State H.S. Top 15), and cheered (D1 Co-Ed Varsity) my way through local, state, and national competitions until the culmination of multiple injuries and chronic pain led my parents to pull me from sport altogether.

I’ve spent the last 30 years physically recovering, as well as understanding youth sports’ effects on my mental and spiritual development and how it has impacted my career, relationships, and lifestyle as an adult.

Through Trainingwrecked, I will mine my experiences in youth sports and the labyrinth of injury recovery, leverage my MBA and business acumen, and utilize my deep writing & journalism training as a springboard for deeper investigation into the youth sports industry and to advocate for increased youth sports safety.

And, whether you’re a former athlete, caregiver, coach, medical professional, or youth sports fan, I encourage you to get involved in this community. Only through sharing our stories, insights, and resources can we begin to define and advocate for successful outcomes for youth athletes today and healthy longevity in their future.

I’m so glad you’re here, and I cannot wait to get to know you and your youth sports stories!

Level 6 State Gymnastics Meet (circa ‘88)

Here on Trainingwrecked, ALL subscribers (aka ‘Fans’) will receive:

Essays sharing personal stories braided with commentary on current youth sports news, deep analyses of and investigation of the youth sports industrial complex, and the impact of sports culture on youth (weekly)
“Sunday Hot Takes” featuring youth sports news, new research reports, sports book reviews, and more fun links, and add your hot takes! (coming soon!)
Progress posts updating my recovery journey (periodic)

I already know my favorite part of this newsletter will happen in the comments section, so please:

Comment on the essays with reactions, questions, referrals, and more!
Participate in the “Friday Thread” discussions (coming soon!)

I hope Trainingwrecked will become your behind-the-scenes pass to youth athletics and its adult consequences — the good, the bad, and the truly devastating.

To reach me directly, message me through Substack or email me at kristine@kristinecampbellauthor.com. Please also follow me on Instagram @kristinecampbellwrites.

P.S. My personal essays are just that…personal. They are written with vulnerability and deep reflection and represent my point of view (and my point of view only). Please respond with kindness and respect, not only for my experience but for the experiences that others share. Let’s be that kind of team.

Subscribe to trainingwrecked

calamities, catastrophes, and other cautionary tales from youth sports.

People

Kristine Campbell

@trainingwrecked

Kristine has spent her entire career as a storyteller. Before she began writing full-time, Kristine spent 15+ years as a Marketing Leader, where she managed a diverse range of world-class brands. She resides in Chicago, IL, USA.