Helping Your Kids Succeed Without Becoming Overbearing with Michael & Erica Parks
EPISODE 34 / 07.22.2025
Ever wonder what it really takes to support your kid’s biggest dreams—and stay sane while doing it? Todd and Bettijo sit down with Michael and Erica Parks, parents of top 50 pro tennis player Alycia Parks, to talk faith, sacrifice, and the wild, beautiful ride of raising a world-class athlete. They’re serving up the unfiltered truth about big dreams, divine detours, and surviving life on the road—with plenty of laughs and marital real talk along the way.
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Show Notes
What does it really take to raise a world-class athlete—and keep your family, marriage, and sense of humor intact? In this lively episode of DANG!, Todd and Bettijo welcome Michael and Erica Parks, parents of two phenomenal athletes, including top 50 pro tennis player Alycia Parks.
The Parks candidly share their unconventional journey into the world of professional sports, starting with their daughters’ natural love of outdoor play—something that accidentally unlocked an extraordinary talent for tennis. Michael, a former pro basketball player, and Erica, a podcast host, recount the early days of coaching, the pivotal role of faith in their success, and the many sacrifices they made—including living out of a converted bus to make it all work.
This conversation goes beyond sports. It’s about faith, family, and the delicate dance of parenting ambitious kids without pushing too hard. They open up about the pressure of being both parent and coach, the importance of letting children lead their own dreams, and how to protect emotional well-being along the way.
There are plenty of relatable parenting moments—like managing family dynamics, staying connected as a couple, and embracing divine detours. Erica and Michael also share powerful wisdom for nurturing potential without keeping love and joy at the center.
And yes—there are a few surprise twists to… including the time Todd literally joined the circus. Watch him flying high on the trapeze!
This episode is a must-listen for parents, dreamers, and anyone who’s ever wondered how far faith, grit, and a little humor can take you.
EPISODE Highlights
- Meet Michael & Eric Parks (0:42)
- Erica recounts the accidental discovery of her daughters’ natural talent and passion for tennis. (2:37)
- Michael discusses how his background as a professional athlete informed his approach to coaching his daughters, even in a different sport. (4:01)
- The Parks reveal the extraordinary family sacrifice of living out of a converted shuttle bus to support their daughters’ tennis careers. (7:00)
- Interesting similarities to singer Selena’s story (watch the Netflix series). (9:01)
- Michael and Todd connect deeply over the indispensable role of faith in navigating life’s challenges and achieving success. (10:20)
- Michael explains the difficulty of balancing being both a coach and a dad. (10:59)
- How to keep from becoming a nightmare “Momager” and putting the wrong kind of pressure on kids. (12:15)
- Erica emphasizes the importance of being “in tune” with your kids to truly understand and nurture their genuine passions. (14:15)
- Michael tells how he taught Alycia her record-breaking tennis serve, attributing its power to divine guidance. (24:07)
- Bettijo talks about her daughter Attalie’s self-driven artistic journey and her own visual connection to it. (See below Attalie’s Wave Form Fashion Show mentioned in the episode) (25:46)
- Todd doing trapeze on Circus with the Stars. (15:19)
- Todd and Bettijo engage in a humorous, relatable discussion about marital communication and the art of giving (and receiving) fashion advice. (28:03)
- The couple shares hilarious movie moments from Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Hancock that perfectly—and comically—capture the realities of married life. (32:25)
- The Parks offer valuable advice to parents on nurturing potential in their children. (34:12)
- Todd recounts a truly painful (and comical) baseball injury. (35:40)
- Michael shares how he prioritized proper technique to prevent injuries in his daughters. (37:20)
- Bettijo describes Sever’s Disease a common growing pain issue for youth athletes. (39.12)
- Erica explains her strategy for encouraging her daughters to develop outside of their sport to stay grounded and well-rounded. (40:43)
- Todd compares his own mother to the many “stage moms” he encountered as a child actor. (42:59)
- Michael expresses gratitude for Todd’s comeback story and their friendship. (44:44)
- Erica & Michael talk about their daughter Makayla’s unique gifts and her perceptive understanding of the family’s journey. (47:04)
- Michael and Erica share the hilarious story of how they met and their Waffle House first date. (48:41)
- ToddFlix: Godfather of Harlem. (53:25)
ToddFlix Pick
Listen to Learn
- How a backyard “oopsie” unlocked a pro tennis career.
- Why faith might just be the ultimate game plan.
- How to support your kid’s big dreams—without turning into a stage parent.
- Real talk on marriage, parenting… and a first date you won’t believe.
Are you ready to be inspired and laugh? Hit play now to hear the full, incredible story of the Parks family.
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