In this episode of Untapped Stories, we sit down with Hannah Dickinson — Villanova Women’s Soccer goalkeeper and one of Athletes Untapped’s top coaches — for a conversation every young athlete (and parent) needs to hear.

Playing goalie is one of the most mentally demanding positions in sports. Every mistake is magnified. Every goal feels personal. And there’s no hiding when things go wrong. Hannah knows this better than most — and that’s exactly why her perspective on failure, confidence, and long-term development is so powerful.

Early in the conversation, Hannah opens up about fear of failure — something every athlete faces, but few learn how to manage. She shares how she’s learned not just to tolerate failure, but to use it as a tool for growth. Missed saves, tough games, setbacks, and self-doubt weren’t signs she didn’t belong — they were part of the process of becoming better, tougher, and more resilient.

From there, we dive into a topic that creates anxiety for countless families in youth sports: early dominance. Too many athletes (and parents) believe that if you’re not the best at 11, 12, or 13 — if you’re not nationally ranked or starting every game — your dreams are already slipping away.

Hannah pushes back on that idea completely.

She reminds young players that development is not linear. Many college and professional athletes weren’t early standouts. They were the ones who stayed consistent, kept showing up, pushed through adversity, and refused to quit when things didn’t come easily. As their bodies matured, their confidence grew, and their skills leveled up, they were ready to seize opportunities when they came.

This episode is a powerful reminder that where you start doesn’t determine where you finish — but how you respond to challenges along the way absolutely does.

We also talk about the role parents and coaches play in shaping mindset. Confidence isn’t built by avoiding mistakes. It’s built by learning how to recover from them. Hannah explains why athletes who are allowed to struggle, fail, adjust, and keep going often develop a deeper sense of belief than those who are protected from adversity.

Throughout the episode, Hannah shares insights that apply far beyond soccer or the goalkeeper position. Her lessons resonate with athletes in every sport — especially those who feel behind, overlooked, or unsure if they’re “good enough.”

In this episode, we cover:

- Why every athlete will face failure — and why that’s a good thing

- How goalkeepers manage pressure and bounce back from mistakes

- Why being the best youth player doesn’t matter as much as people think

- The danger of tying confidence to early success or rankings

- How consistency and resilience separate long-term athletes

- What parents can do to support confidence without adding pressure

- Why fear of failure often holds athletes back more than lack of talent

At Athletes Untapped, we believe youth sports should help athletes build confidence, resilience, and self-belief — not fear, comparison, or burnout. Hannah Dickinson embodies exactly what that looks like. Her journey is proof that growth happens when athletes learn to trust the process, embrace challenges, and keep showing up.

🎙️ Untapped Stories is presented by https://athletesuntapped.com — the nation’s leading platform for private sports coaching. We connect families with elite, vetted coaches to help athletes grow through great instruction, strong habits, and positive sports experiences.

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