Your coach just said your athlete needs to "be more mentally tough." But what does that even MEAN, and how are you supposed to make it happen?

If you're wondering if your athlete is ready for mental training or if you should wait until she's "struggling," this episode is for you. Here, I break down the three clear signs that your athlete is ready to build a powerful mental game and reveals the absolute best time to start (the answer might surprise you!).

Tune in to stop guessing and start getting her the tools she needs to play with more confidence, bounce back from mistakes, and actually enjoy her sport again.

Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:

✅ The three signs your athlete is ready for mental training.
✅ The real definition of "Elite". It’s not what you think, and it takes the pressure right off.
✅ The #1 mistake parents make when trying to introduce mental training (and how to avoid it so she doesn't shut down).
✅ The "prime age" for mental training. Is there a perfect window to start? (Spoiler: Yes, but it's wider than you think).
✅ In-season vs. off-season. When is the actual best time to start? the answer isn't black and white.
✅ How to get your athlete on board without her thinking you believe she "isn't confident."

Don’t wait until the pressure hits. Listen now and help your athlete master the mental game!

Episode Highlights:

[00:01:31] A Mom’s Story of Change. Inside our program, a mom shared how her daughter started using her snapback routine on her own: pausing before reacting and bouncing back faster from mistakes. That’s a huge sign of growth.

[00:07:07] Sign #1: She’s Entering the Prime Age. Ages 11–16 are the sweet spot for formal mental training. Younger athletes (5–10) can learn basics like breathing and visualization, while older athletes (16+) must train their mind to keep up with the demands.

[00:10:56] Sign #2: She’s Facing Normal Athlete Struggles. Nerves, comparison, mistakes, and beating herself up are all normal, but athletes need tools to handle them. Don’t wait until she’s spiraling; front-load the skills now.

[00:12:53] Sign #3: She Has Goals. If she wants to level up, whether that’s more playing time, varsity, or college, mental training is essential. The higher she goes, the more pressure she’ll face. The best time to start is while things are going well.

[00:16:32] Your Next Step. If you’re wondering if your daughter is ready for The Elite Mental Game, reach out to us. Or join us inside now, the doors are open, and we’d love to support her (and you) as she builds her confidence and mental strength.

Next Steps:

• Join our FREE Training for Sports Moms - How to Strengthen Your Athlete Daughter's Mental Game so She Believes in Herself as Much as You Do
• Visit our podcast website for more great episodes
• Grab the Conversation Guide for helping get your athlete on board with mental training

Thank you in advance for joining us on our mission and leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

Have you ever felt like you’re lagging behind, struggling to keep up with your teammates, or crushed by negative vibes from others? Or maybe you’re coming back from an injury and wondering if you’ll ever be your old self again. This episode is for all of you who need some no-fluff, real advice to boost your confidence, handle pressure, and keep your head in the game.

In this episode, we discuss the real questions athletes face every day and sharing simple, practical tips that actually work, from stopping comparison and staying calm under pressure, to dealing with negative teammates and much more.

Here’s what we cover:

• Why looking over your shoulder in a race can make you fall, literally and mentally.
• How to flip “Why am I not like her?” into “What can I learn from her?”.
• The power of celebrating tiny daily wins instead of chasing perfection.
• Staying grounded in the present moment so your confidence stays solid.
• Real tips for coming back from injury without beating yourself up.
• What to do if your coach says you look scared and why bravery isn’t about never feeling fear.
• How to protect your energy when teammates are negative and even turn it around with kindness.
• Simple ways to stay calm and have fun when the pressure’s on.
• Why what others think shouldn’t stop you from playing your best.
• Handling tough feedback from parents without losing your confidence.
• Taking risks without being paralyzed by fear of mistakes.
• Getting ready for tryouts with the right mindset.
• Setting boundaries when team drama tries to drag you down.

Ready to run your own race with your head held high? Listen to the full episode now and let’s do this together!

Episode Highlights:

[00:08:20] Find Your Micro Wins. The second tip: combat comparison by focusing on how you were better than yesterday and finding one small win from today, no matter how practice went.

[00:12:25] Coming Back from Injury. Coach Saylor advises an athlete feeling behind after an injury to trust the process, focus on micro wins, and even suggests writing a "breakup letter" to your past self to embrace who you're becoming.

[00:19:26] Dealing with Negative Teammates. I share a story about a disengaged player to illustrate a key point: you can't change negative people, so stop focusing on them and instead pour your energy into the teammates who are locked in.

[00:29:00] When Teammates Hate on Your Wins. Coach Saylor advises creating a "bubble" to let negative comments bounce off and to surround yourself with positive teammates. Coach Rachel adds that giving a genuine compliment can sometimes change the dynamic entirely.

[00:37:23] Navigating Team Drama. Advice on dealing with a specific negative teammate: protect your energy, align with positive players, and remember it's not your job to fix them. Only involve a coach if there's bullying or abusive behavior.

Next Steps:

• Join our FREE Training for Sports Moms - How to Strengthen Your Athlete Daughter's Mental Game so She Believes in Herself as Much as You Do
• Visit our podcast website for more great episodes

Thank you in advance for joining us on our mission and leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

Does your daughter ever come home from a game second-guessing herself… or even in tears after a tough play? Wish you had a game plan for helping her bounce back stronger and actually love the sport again—even when things don’t go perfectly? This episode is the boost every sports parent needs, packed with honest stories, hands-on tips, and the real talk that rarely makes it onto the sidelines.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How real moms are helping their girls conquer nerves, shake off mistakes, and find their confidence, even after rough games or tough coaching feedback.
• The simple yet powerful strategies that actually work: from pre-game breathing routines and visualization to “snapback” rituals for mistake recovery.
• What to do when “work on your attitude” just isn’t enough and how parents are filling the gaps coaches can’t always reach.
• How making mental skills part of everyday family life transforms not just one athlete, but siblings (and sometimes parents!) too.
• Inspiring and relatable stories, messy moments, honest emotions, and small family wins matter most on the journey to resilience.
• Tips for celebrating progress, talking about tough games, and connecting with a supportive community of parents walking the same path.

Don’t miss out! If you’re ready for real-life advice and a few “that’s so us!” moments, plus new tools you can try this week, hit play on the full episode. Join the conversation and discover how to help your athlete build confidence that lasts all season long.

Episode Highlights:

[06:45] Mental Challenges Young Athletes Face. Discussion about nerves, pressure from coaches, and difficulty bouncing back after mistakes. Highlights the gap in mental skills training in many youth sports programs.

[11:00] What Sparked Moms to Join the Program. Moms describe spotting struggles like anxiety, self-doubt, and harsh coaching feedback. They explain how generic advice wasn’t enough, leading them to seek mental training tools tailored for their daughters.

[22:30] Integrating Mental Skills into Family Life. Panel discusses how mental tools influence siblings and parents too, creating a supportive environment where resilience and positive mindset become family habits.

[34:00] Invitation to The Elite Mental Game Program. Encouragement to incorporate mental training this season and details about current program offerings and discounts for families interested in deeper support.

[58:40] Q&A: Parents Ask About Habit-Building. Discussion about how to encourage consistent mental skill practice without making it feel like a chore, emphasizing small daily habits and family involvement.

Next Steps:

• Join our FREE Training for Sports Moms - How to Strengthen Your Athlete Daughter's Mental Game so She Believes in Herself as Much as You Do
• Visit our podcast website for more great episodes

Thank you in advance for joining us on our mission and leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

Grab your exclusive Elite Mental Game discount for being a podcast listener here!