We have a passion for families and athletics. What better way to pursue this combination of interests than to write about them! After doing our research on what was out there, we realized Varsity Parenting would be a unique and welcome resource for parents and coaches of varsity athletes, as well as for the athletes. With our professional expertise and experiences, combined with expert contributors and resources, we are bringing you the go-to site for parents, coaches and athletes to find answers to topics that help support raising an overall healthy varsity athlete.  Thank you for visiting.

Andrea B. McDonough
Andrea earned her BA degree in psychology from Syracuse University and a Masters of Science in Nutrition from Cornell University. She completed her dietetic internship at Boston Children’s Hospital and was a member of the American Dietetic Association from 1987 – 2003. Andrea co-authored an obesity and eating disorders awareness and prevention program called, “Growing Together” and wrote the chapter on “Eating Disorders” for the “Handbook of Pediatric Nutrition.”

Always the adventurer, Andrea and her family strived for a change of pace and moved to New Zealand for a few years. They all found ways to enjoy life as ex-patriots through new relationships, outdoor adventures and travel. They continued that lifestyle and moved to Europe before returning to the States in 2006. During her 4 years overseas (2002-2006), she served on the board for the Eating Awareness Team in Christchurch New Zealand and was able to implement her program, “Growing Together” in both New Zealand and Geneva, Switzerland. Thankfully, there was no language barrier so Andrea could continue her work as a nutrition therapist and also organized fundraisers and awareness programs for eating disorders.

Since moving back to the US with her husband, two teenagers and two dogs, Andrea has focused on community-based programs that support families and teens. Her primary “dual role” of wife and mother of two Varsity Athletes is being enriched through the launching of the Varsity Parenting Blog. Her daughter Caroline, a distance runner, is a member of the Women’s X-C and Track and Field Team at Columbia University. Peter, also an athlete, attends Cornell University and plays for the Big Red Football Team. Andrea and her husband, a marketing exec, now have tons of experience in the college recruiting process.

Varsity Parenting offers a platform to grow into being a role model for parents of athletes. There is much more to come. Promise!

Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC
Dana is a registered dietitian and certified athletic trainer. She earned her master’s degree in nutrition education from Teachers’ College- Columbia University and undergraduate degree from Quinnipiac University in Sports Medicine and Athletic Training.

Dana is a nutrition consultant for international food companies, restaurants and media companies. She is the nutrition expert and daily contributor for Food Network.com and the Healthy Eats blog as well as contributing author of the Healthy Harvest Regional Food Guides. She has worked as a spokesperson for Cooking Light Magazine and has appeared on Good Day Street Talk, Food Network.com, Access Hollywood and GMA Health. Her recipes, articles and interviews have appeared in SHAPE, Maxim, Muscle & Performance and SEVENTEEN Magazine.

Dana also practices as a Certified Athletic Trainer, providing emergency medicine and rehabilitation services to high school, college and professional athletes. She is also a professor in the Sports Medicine Department at Quinnipiac University and also teaches CPR and First Aid courses through the American Red Cross.

A former athlete and loyal sports fan, Dana has dedicated both her personal and professional life to her love of sports, cooking and nutrition. A mother of two, Dana resides in Fairfield, CT along with her husband and Boston Terrier, Violet Pickles.

Becca Gaines, MS, LPC
Becca is a former high school and collegiate athlete with an undergraduate degree in Interpersonal Communications and Psychology and a graduate degree in Counseling Psychology. Her counseling specialties are in sports and performance psychology, as well as treating body image concerns for high school and college age individuals. While in graduate school, she had the good fortune to be the assistant field hockey coach for for a collegiate team and gained experience in the recruiting and college-coaching arena.

Becca had the good fortune of receiving guidance from Dr. Todd Kayes, author of “Sports Psychology for Dummies” and former Ohio State University Sports Psychologist. Becca works with a variety of athletes and with the professional advice from one of the most respected clinicians in the country, Dr. Kayes, she fine tuned her treatment approach and is excited to be doing what she loves – working with athletes, families and sports teams.

“People often come to me with one goal in mind – “help me reach my desired level of performance” – but what happens through this process is so exciting to me. I watch my clients apply the skills they’ve learned through this counseling to other areas of their lives. They come in with performance on their minds and leave with a host of tangible life skills they can apply to all different situations. It is so rewarding to be part of this process.”

Currently, Becca has a private practice in Fairfield County, CT where she works with individuals, families and sports teams. She has been part of a team of professionals from the Hospital of Special Surgery in New York City and
The Cardinal Orthopedic Institute in Columbus, OH. Becca also enjoys working with High School and University teams through workshops and individual sessions.

“I feel I’ve succeeded when the person, family or team finds their unique formula for balancing enjoyment, competition and health.”

To contact Becca directly e-mail her at: sportpsych101@gmail.com

Guest Contributors:

Jodi R. Galin, PhD
Jodi is a licensed psychologist. She earned her BA degree in psychology from Swarthmore College and her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Yeshiva University. She completed her clinical internship and post-doctoral training at New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center in White Plains, NY. Jodi is well versed issues related to peak performance having received a certificate in Executive Coaching at the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology and some training in sports psychology. She is a member of the American Psychological Association, Massachusetts Psychological Association, National Eating Disorders Association, and the Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association. With Andrea, Jodi co-authored an obesity and eating disorders awareness and prevention program called, “Growing Together.”

Jodi has a private psychotherapy practice in Lexington, MA. For almost 20 years she has worked counseling people with eating disorders, depression, anxiety, parenting issues, relationship issues, and other mental health issues. She has spoken on topics such as obesity and eating disorder prevention at professional conferences as well as parent organizations. She provides psychological assessments to help people get unstuck in life and career quandaries. Jodi is an avid believer in the team approach to healthcare, embracing good communication to effectively treat clients.

Balancing her professional work with her parenting experiences, Jodi is the proud mother of two teenage daughters one in college and one in high school. Her oldest was a varsity tennis player at the high school level. Both Jodi and her husband enjoy an active lifestyle: playing tennis, running, biking, kayaking, and spending time outdoors. While her husband has much more stamina, Jodi has embraced the benefits of moving her body.

Carmen Jerome, LMT, CPT
Carmen Jerome has been active in the health and wellness industry for over five years, studying everything from Massage Therapy, Yoga, and Fitness Coaching to Kinesiotape Methods, Holistic Nutrition, and Permaculture. She obtained her massage license from the PHD Academy in Eau Claire, WI, graduating at the top of her class in 2005 with a specialty in Sports, Deep Tissue, and Rehabilitation Massage. In January 2006, she became a Nationally Certified Massage Therapist. Carmen then extended her education to obtain her Fitness Coaching Certification in February of 2006, a Permaculture Certification in November 2009, her Kinesiotape Practitioner License in February 2010, and is currently studying for her Bachelors in Science for Holistic Nutrition.

Carmen studies hard to ensure she’s always on the cutting edge of the wellness industry and enjoys learning through experience. She believes that fitness should be fun and that variety is the key to vitality. Carmen, as and amateur fighter and health nut, is always looking for new ways to get the most out of her body, both in competition and in life. She enjoys running and cycling, loves to concoct new functional exercise circuits in the gym, and tops it all off with deep breathing and yoga to create balance in her life.

“As a Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Personal Trainer, and Amateur Fighter, I am a firm believer that a healthy lifestyle is truly the key to happiness. I believe in giving my clients every opportunity to obtain their individual level of optimum health in order to ensure that they have the ability to enjoy the highest quality of life!”

Carmen currently works in Connecticut for InSHAPEllc.com