Shy kids in sports is a question worth sitting with if you have a quiet child at home. You watch them hang back at parties, take forever to warm up to new faces, and prefer the comfort of one friend over a crowd. You have wondered whether a team setting helps or just adds one more place where being quiet feels harder.

Megan DeGroot's research found that shyness arrives with real strengths: more thoughtful, more empathetic, less impulsive. These are traits coaches look for. And shy people can turn it off entirely when they're doing something they love alongside people they trust, the same way shy musicians disappear into the performance the moment they play. Megan was a shy dancer, built social skills surrounded by teammates each week, and watched those skills follow her into school and beyond.

Coach personality in youth sports is almost entirely unstudied territory and this is one of the first pieces of research to go there. How a shy coach and a shy kid work together is still an open question. What the research already suggests: the team might be exactly where your quiet child belongs.

Topics: shy kids in sports, shyness research, youth team sports, coaching temperament, social skills development

GUEST: Megan DeGroot

Originally aired on 2026-03-03

Shy kids in sports is a question worth sitting with if you have a quiet child at home. You watch them hang back at parties, take forever to warm up to new faces, and prefer the comfort of one friend over a crowd. You have wondered whether a team setting helps or just adds one more place where being quiet feels harder.
Megan DeGroot's research found that shyness arrives with real strengths: more thoughtful, more empathetic, less impulsive. These are traits coaches look for. And shy people can turn it off entirely when they're doing something they love alongside people they trust, the same way shy musicians disappear into the performance the moment they play. Megan was a shy dancer, built social skills surrounded by teammates each week, and watched those skills follow her into school and beyond.
Coach personality in youth sports is almost entirely unstudied territory and this is one of the first pieces of research to go there. How a shy coach and a shy kid work together is still an open question. What the research already suggests: the team might be exactly where your quiet child belongs.
Topics: shy kids in sports, shyness research, youth team sports, coaching temperament, social skills development
GUEST: Megan DeGroot
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-03-03

Shane Hewitt & The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world—always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.

From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane’s signature style—thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.

If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt &amp; The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world&mdash;always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.
From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane&rsquo;s signature style&mdash;thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.
If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt and The Nightshift

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.