The holiday season can be an overwhelming time, especially for student-athletes and their families. With multiple sports seasons overlapping – football, basketball, soccer, and wrestling – the days are jampacked with school, practices and games.

For Jared Nihi KSK’92, an athletic trainer supervisor at Kamehameha Schools Kapālama, the challenges of balancing it all are familiar territory.

“It’s such a large school – just in this one season, we have a couple hundred kids using the courts and fields,” Nihi said. “It can be really hectic.”

As a father of ten, Nihi experiences firsthand the delicate balance between school, sports and family life. To help haumāna thrive during these busy months, the athletic trainer emphasizes rest. He advises them to take breaks throughout the day to breathe and reset, which can make a significant difference in managing stress. Staying nourished with healthful snacks and staying hydrated helps maintain energy and focus, especially during long days of school, practices and games.

Nihi also encourages making the most of every moment, like tackling homework before practice or using car rides to decompress and connect with family. For him, these small steps can build resilience and foster a sense of calm amidst a chaotic schedule.

“Kids today are nonstop overstimulated with phones and activities,” he added. “Sometimes, they just need to stop, breathe and relax.”

Nihi’s perspective as both an athletic trainer and former athlete gives him a deep empathy for students coping with setbacks. Drawing from his own experience of tearing his ACL during his senior year – a challenge that sidelined him before his final season – he embraces holistic healing in his work, often turning to God and prayer for strength. As a senior pastor in Honolulu, Nihi sees a natural connection between his faith and fitness, blending both to guide and support haumāna as they recover from sports-related injuries or illnesses.

“They feel like all hope is gone or they are letting their team down,” Nihi said. “But we remind them that God has a plan and that this is just a part of their journey.”

For Nihi and his team, the focus remains on progress rather than results – a mindset rooted in gratitude and resilience.

“Every day, we celebrate what they can do, not what they can’t,” Nihi explained. “It’s the same with being a Christian. We are content with what we have and problems arise when we focus on what we don’t have.”

As the holiday season ramps up, Nihi’s advice to students and families is simple: prioritize what truly matters. Finding balance, staying nourished and cherishing moments of connection can turn the busiest time of year into one of intention and peace. On the field and in life, he reminds KS haumāna that every step forward, no matter how small, is always worth celebrating.

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