Navigating Injury: Mental Toughness & Emotional Resilience for Athletes

Getting injured as an athlete isn't just about healing your body, it's also about healing your mind. In this episode host Valerie Alston delves into the emotional ups and downs of being injured and discusses how mental skills can speed recovery. Valerie shares her personal injury story, explores the grief process associated with injuries, and offers actionable tips for athletes and their parents to grow stronger mentally and emotionally during tough times. From mindfulness practices to effective self-talk and maintaining optimism, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Tune in for practical advice on support networks, maintaining mental clarity, and ensuring a positive recovery journey. Don’t miss out on these crucial tips for building resilience and mental toughness, whether you're an athlete, parent, or coach.

00:00 Introduction: The Emotional Toll of Athletic Injuries

00:50 Personal Injury Story: Valerie's Experience

04:14 The Grief Process in Injury Recovery

07:55 Mindfulness and Mental Strategies for Healing

16:18 The Importance of Support Systems

20:02 Discussion Questions for Athletes and Parents

23:26 Conclusion and Additional Resources

Discussion questions:

• How are you really feeling about being injured — frustrated, sad, hopeful, or something else?
• What’s one thing you can control during recovery that might help you feel more confident?
• How can I support you best right now — encouragement, reminders, or just listening?
• If you have a setback in recovery, how would you want me to respond?

Thanks for joining me on Confident, Calm, and Clutch Car Ride Conversations! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a moment. Share it with other parents or coaches who could use a little extra inspiration on the go.

For exclusive tips, tools, and updates join my newsletter at www.confidentcalmclutch.com/newsletter

For more specific tips on building mental toughness, buy my book Confident, Calm and Clutch: How to build confidence and mental toughness for young athletes using sports psychology

Parents join my Facebook group to Help Your Athlete Gain Mental Toughness for Parents

Have an idea for a topic? Submit your idea here.

Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email me: valerie.alston@valstoncoaching.com

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@valstoncoaching9666

From Dance to Tennis: A Teen's Journey in Competitive Sports

In this special episode of Car Ride Conversations, host Valerie Alston is joined by her teenage niece, Ireland, who shares her journey of transitioning from dance to competitive tennis. They discuss the challenges of not making the team initially, the motivation behind her continued efforts, and the lessons learned about mental toughness, energy management, and confidence. Whether you're a young athlete starting out or navigating new challenges, this episode offers fresh insights and relatable moments. Don't miss this inspiring chat that explores how to build resilience and confidence through sports.

00:00 Introduction: A Dancer's Journey to Tennis

01:13 Meet Ireland: From Dance to Tennis

02:12 Starting Tennis: The Initial Struggles

03:57 Balancing Act: Time Management and Motivation

06:11 Mental and Physical Challenges

08:31 Technical Difficulties and Key Takeaways

11:49 Reflective Questions for Listeners

15:10 Closing Remarks and Resources

Discussion questions:

1. Have you ever tried something new and failed at first—like not making a team or struggling with a skill? What made you want to keep going (or not)? What helped you get better?
2. How is your sport (or activity) different from others you’ve done before? What new skills—mental or physical—have you had to build?
3. When you’re in a long, tough practice or match, what helps you stay focused or motivated? How can we build more of that mental strength together?
4. What’s harder for you—physical effort or mental effort? Why? What strategies do you use to push through either one when things get hard?

Thanks for joining me on Confident, Calm, and Clutch Car Ride Conversations! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a moment. Share it with other parents or coaches who could use a little extra inspiration on the go.

For exclusive tips, tools, and updates join my newsletter at www.confidentcalmclutch.com/newsletter

For more specific tips on building mental toughness, buy my book Confident, Calm and Clutch: How to build confidence and mental toughness for young athletes using sports psychology

Parents join my Facebook group to Help Your Athlete Gain Mental Toughness for Parents

Have an idea for a topic? Submit your idea here.

Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email me: valerie.alston@valstoncoaching.com

Follow Me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valstoncoaching

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valstoncoaching

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@valstoncoaching9666

Mastering Self-Talk: The Ultimate Guide to Staying Focused and Confident

Join host Valerie Alston in this episode of Confident Calm Clutch Car Ride Conversations as she explores the power of self-talk and its impact on performance. Valerie introduces the P3 formula—Purposeful, Productive, and Possibility focused self-talk—to help athletes and parents build effective internal dialogue. From sharing a Stanford study on mindset to providing actionable tips and examples from various sports, this episode aims to help young athletes enhance their mental toughness, resilience, and confidence. Tune in for insightful questions and discussions to make each car ride a valuable opportunity for growth.

00:00 Introduction to Self-Talk

00:59 The Power of Mindset

05:30 The P3 Formula for Effective Self-Talk

08:23 Instructional vs. Motivational Self-Talk

10:10 Creating Your Game Day Script

13:23 Interactive Q&A Session

16:50 Conclusion and Next Steps

Discussion questions:

1. What do you usually say to yourself before or during a game? Does it help or hurt?
2. If you could write down your top 3 game day phrases, what would they be?
3. Do you like self-talk that tells you what to do (instructional) or that pumps you up (motivational)?
4. How can I (as your parent/coach) remind you of your P3 self-talk without adding pressure?

Thanks for joining me on Confident, Calm, and Clutch Car Ride Conversations! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a moment. Share it with other parents or coaches who could use a little extra inspiration on the go.

For exclusive tips, tools, and updates join my newsletter at www.confidentcalmclutch.com/newsletter

For more specific tips on building mental toughness, buy my book Confident, Calm and Clutch: How to build confidence and mental toughness for young athletes using sports psychology

Parents join my Facebook group to Help Your Athlete Gain Mental Toughness for Parents

Have an idea for a topic? Submit your idea here.

Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email me: valerie.alston@valstoncoaching.com

Follow Me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valstoncoaching

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valstoncoaching

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@valstoncoaching9666