This week on the PerformHappy Podcast, I’m talking directly to sport parents (but athletes, don’t tune out just yet!). I had two parents in our community share the same concern: “I don’t want to say the wrong thing.” They love their kids, they want to help, but they’re afraid they might accidentally be making things worse.

So in this episode, I’m sharing what I’ve learned about how to actually support your athlete, without adding pressure, without creating shutdowns, and without walking on eggshells.

This is something I dive deep into in my Peak Performance Parenting course, but today I’m giving you the Reader’s Digest version so you can start building trust, connection, and resilience with your athlete right away.

Whether you're a parent wondering how to be encouraging without pushing too hard, or an athlete who just wants to feel understood, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, Coach Rebecca talks about:

• The different stages of change, and why “helpful” advice doesn’t always land
• How to know when your athlete is ready to talk, and when it’s better to just listen
• Why open-ended questions (not lectures!) are your best tool
• How to become your athlete’s safe space, even when they’re struggling
• Ways to build trust outside of sports conversations
• Why empathy goes further than problem-solving

Learn exactly what to say and do to guide your athlete through a mental block with my new book "Parenting Through Mental Blocks" Order your copy today: https://a.co/d/g990Bur

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complete_performance/

Join my FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/completeperformancecoaching/

Check out my website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

Write to me! Email: rebecca@completeperformancecoaching.com

Ready to help your athlete overcome fears and mental blocks while gaining unstoppable confidence? Discover the transformative power of PerformHappy now. If your athlete is struggling or feeling left behind, it's time for a change. Are you ready? For more info and to sign up: PerformHappy.com

This week on the PerformHappy Podcast, Coach Rebecca dives into a powerful Q&A session centered around one of the most difficult crossroads in an athlete’s journey—deciding whether to keep going or walk away from their sport. Whether you’re deep in upgrade season, dreading practice, or feeling the spark fade, this episode offers clarity and compassion for athletes (and their parents) navigating burnout, fear, and identity.

Coach Rebecca shares personal stories from her own gymnastics career, candid conversations with athletes, and the key questions every gymnast should ask before making a decision they might regret—or celebrate.

Whether you're the athlete considering a change, or the parent watching your child wrestle with uncertainty, this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode, Coach Rebecca talks about:

• What to do if you’re falling out of love with your sport
• The difference between burnout and being truly done
• How fear, pain, or pressure can cloud your decision-making
• Why it’s okay to redefine what your gymnastics journey looks like
• Four essential questions to ask before making a choice to stay or go
• How to create your own version of success (even if it doesn’t include leveling up)
• Tools for finding clarity—especially if college recruiting pressure is weighing you down

Learn exactly what to say and do to guide your athlete through a mental block with my new book "Parenting Through Mental Blocks" Order your copy today: https://a.co/d/g990Bur

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complete_performance/

Join my FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/completeperformancecoaching/

Check out my website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

Write to me! Email: rebecca@completeperformancecoaching.com

Ready to help your athlete overcome fears and mental blocks while gaining unstoppable confidence? Discover the transformative power of PerformHappy now. If your athlete is struggling or feeling left behind, it's time for a change. Are you ready? For more info and to sign up: PerformHappy.com

Has your athlete suddenly developed a fear of a skill they’ve done a hundred times before? You know they can do it physically, but something’s holding them back… and no matter what you try, nothing seems to help.

In this week’s PerformHappy podcast episode, I’m diving into three hidden warning signs that you, as a well-meaning parent, might accidentally be keeping your athlete stuck in fear. Maybe you’ve tried everything: encouragement, time off, stepping back, even considering a new sport, but they're still shutting down.

This isn’t about blame. It’s about awareness.

Because here’s the good news: the way you show up can make a difference. In fact, when you shift your approach, you can have a profound impact on their confidence and ability to overcome fear.

Tune in now to find out if you’re part of the problem or the solution and how to make that shift.

In this episode, Coach Rebecca talks about:

Warning Signs of Overparenting in Athletes

The Impact of Parental Pressure on Athletes.

Dealing with Parental Impatience.

Navigating Parental Concerns and Emotional Regulation.

The Mental Block Breakthrough Method.

“To overcome mental blocks, you need trust, not motivation.” - Rebecca Smith

Learn exactly what to say and do to guide your athlete through a mental block with my new book "Parenting Through Mental Blocks" Order your copy today: https://a.co/d/g990Bur

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complete_performance/

Join my FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/completeperformancecoaching/

Check out my website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

Write to me! Email: rebecca@completeperformancecoaching.com

Ready to help your athlete overcome fears and mental blocks while gaining unstoppable confidence? Discover the transformative power of PerformHappy now. If your athlete is struggling or feeling left behind, it's time for a change. Are you ready? For more info and to sign up: PerformHappy.com

In this week’s PerformHappy Podcast, I’m joined by sport parent and PerformHappy alum, Susan Bardack, for a real, honest conversation about the rollercoaster of raising an athlete.

Susan shares her daughter Ashland’s journey from gymnastics to D1 college diving, including how they navigated tough mental blocks and the moment everything shifted—when Susan stopped pushing and started trusting.

We talk about the lessons parents often learn the hard way, the impact of pressure (even when it's well-meaning), and how letting go actually helped Ashland find her confidence, joy, and success in sport.

If you're a parent trying to support your athlete without adding stress, this episode is for you.

In this episode, Coach Rebecca and Susan Bardack talk about:

Transition from Gymnastics to Diving.

Navigating Mental Blocks in Sports.

Finding the Right Coaching Fit.

Embracing Patience in Sports.

Choosing the Right College Program.

The Balance of Support and Independence with an Athlete.

Listening to Fears: Acknowledging Emotions in Sports.

Finding the Right Sport

“It's okay to switch sports.” – Susan Bardack

I'm teaming up with @nike and @ussportscamps to bring you TWO life-changing Confident Gymnast Camps this summer—and your gymnast is invited! Pittsboro, NC — Unify Athletics | July 19th & 20th. Petaluma, CA — Redwood Empire Gymnastics | August 2nd & 3rd. Spots will go FAST!
https://www.ussportscamps.com/welcome/nike-gymnastics-camps-complete-performance-coaching

Learn exactly what to say and do to guide your athlete through a mental block with my new book "Parenting Through Mental Blocks" Order your copy today: https://a.co/d/g990Bur

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complete_performance/

Join my FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/completeperformancecoaching/

Check out my website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

Write to me! Email: rebecca@completeperformancecoaching.com

Ready to help your athlete overcome fears and mental blocks while gaining unstoppable confidence? Discover the transformative power of PerformHappy now. If your athlete is struggling or feeling left behind, it's time for a change. Are you ready? For more info and to sign up: PerformHappy.com

There’s a specific kind of heartbreak that hits when your child doesn’t get moved up to the next level, especially when all their friends do. You see it in their face. You feel it in the silence on the car ride home. And as a parent, you just want to fix it. You want to make it better; give them hope and tell them to keep pushing. But deep down, you might already know… this just isn’t going to go the way they hoped.

In this week’s episode of the PerformHappy Podcast, I’m diving into this all-too-familiar scenario. Whether it’s not moving up, not making the team, or falling short of a goal they’ve worked so hard for, disappointment is part of the journey—and it’s one of the hardest parts to navigate.

I’ll share actionable tips to help you show up for your athlete in those tough moments—not with empty encouragement or forced positivity, but with presence, perspective, and support that actually helps them process what they’re going through. Because these are the moments that build mental toughness. Not just for your athlete, but for you, too.

If you’ve ever found yourself sitting beside a teary-eyed kid, unsure of what to say or do, this episode is for you. Let’s walk through it together. Listen in now, wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode, Coach Rebecca talks about:

Understanding the Athlete's Journey.

Navigating Parental Support.

Building Resilience Through Experience.

The Importance of Emotional Neutrality.

Preparing for Life's Challenges.

“When a gymnast feels a parent's love is tied to their performance, they start believing mistakes make them less lovable—and that pressure leads to mental blocks.” - Rebecca Smith

Want to know exactly what's going on in your gymnast’s brain when she’s stuck—and how to actually help her without making things worse? Click the link to save your spot for my free training for gymnastics moms, where I’ll walk you through the proven 3-step method to rebuild trust and confidence this summer.

completeperformancecoaching.com/free

Learn exactly what to say and do to guide your athlete through a mental block with my new book "Parenting Through Mental Blocks" Order your copy today: https://a.co/d/g990Bur

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complete_performance/

Join my FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/completeperformancecoaching/

Check out my website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

Write to me! Email: rebecca@completeperformancecoaching.com

Ready to help your athlete overcome fears and mental blocks while gaining unstoppable confidence? Discover the transformative power of PerformHappy now. If your athlete is struggling or feeling left behind, it's time for a change. Are you ready? For more info and to sign up: PerformHappy.com

If your athlete is stuck in a mental block, you’re not alone. That’s exactly what I’m diving into on this week’s PerformHappy Podcast — because fear is something so many athletes struggle with, and honestly, it was my biggest struggle too.

You know the feeling — your athlete says they’re not scared, but they just can’t go. Or maybe they are scared and don’t know how to stop feeling that way. Either way, it can be incredibly frustrating for everyone involved.

In this episode, I’m breaking down why fear shows up (even when it doesn’t always make sense), and I’m walking you through the exact 3-step method we use inside the PerformHappy Community to help athletes move through fear and come out stronger on the other side.

Here’s the good news:
If you apply these steps for just 10 minutes a day this summer, your athlete can start making real progress — and even have a breakthrough.

Ready to help your athlete move past fear for good? Listen to the full episode now, and let's get to work.

In this episode, Coach Rebecca talks about:

Overcoming Mental Blocks in Sports.

Understanding Mental Blocks and Their Impact.

The Perform Happy Method Explained.

Building Trust and Confidence in Athletes.

Introducing the Peak Performance Phase.

“A mental block isn’t a problem — it’s an opportunity.” - Rebecca Smith

Learn exactly what to say and do to guide your athlete through a mental block with my new book "Parenting Through Mental Blocks" Order your copy today: https://a.co/d/g990Bur

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complete_performance/

Join my FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/completeperformancecoaching/

Check out my website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

Write to me! Email: rebecca@completeperformancecoaching.com

Ready to help your athlete overcome fears and mental blocks while gaining unstoppable confidence? Discover the transformative power of PerformHappy now. If your athlete is struggling or feeling left behind, it's time for a change. Are you ready? For more info and to sign up: PerformHappy.com

It’s frustrating. You’re doing everything “right.” You’ve got the mindset tools, the journaling prompts, the visualizations… but it’s still not clicking. In this week’s PerformHappy Podcast, I’m diving into a truth most people don’t talk about: sometimes mental training doesn’t work.

Yep, I said it. There are athletes who put in the effort and still feel stuck.

In this episode, I unpack the common reasons why—even with all the best tools—some kids don’t see results. And (spoiler alert), it’s not because they’re broken or lazy. A lot of the time, it has to do with what the adults in their life are doing (or not doing).

If you’re a parent or coach who’s wondering why the mental training isn’t translating into progress, I’ll give you a quick overview of what might be getting in the way—and what to do about it.

Listen in if you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and finally help your athlete get unstuck.

In this episode, Coach Rebecca talks about:

The Limitations of Mental Training.

The Role of Parents and Coaches in Mental Training.

The Impact of External Pressures on Mental Training.

The Importance of Trust and Growth Mindset

“Kids who stay stuck in fear long-term usually have a parent or coach issue behind it." - Rebecca Smith

Learn exactly what to say and do to guide your athlete through a mental block with my new book "Parenting Through Mental Blocks" Order your copy today: https://a.co/d/g990Bur

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complete_performance/

Join my FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/completeperformancecoaching/

Check out my website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

Write to me! Email: rebecca@completeperformancecoaching.com

Ready to help your athlete overcome fears and mental blocks while gaining unstoppable confidence? Discover the transformative power of PerformHappy now. If your athlete is struggling or feeling left behind, it's time for a change. Are you ready? For more info and to sign up: PerformHappy.com

This week on the PerformHappy Podcast, I got to switch things up—I was the one answering the questions!

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Lacey Rochelle from Shine Health Coaching to dive deep into the science behind fear and how it shows up in performance. We unpacked quick, practical tips for staying present when the pressure’s on, and talked about what it really takes to move from stuck to confident.

Whether you're an athlete, a parent, or a coach, you’ll hear how the right kind of support—from coaches, parents, and teammates—can make all the difference in building trust and resilience.

If you’re looking for a mindset shift to finally kick those mental blocks and get into flow, this episode is for you.

In this episode, Coach Rebecca and Lacey Rochelle talk about:

Performance Anxiety in Sports.

The Role of Exposure in Overcoming Fear.

Navigating Public Pressure and Performance.

Experiencing Flow in Sports.

The Importance of Being Present.

Understanding the Human Brain's Response to Threat.

Building Stress Tolerance and Resilience.

The Importance of Support Networks.

Key Tips for Optimal Mental Performance.

“If you don't think you're good enough, you perform like that." - Rebecca Smith

Lacey Rochelle's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laceyrochelle_/

Lacey Rochelle’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaceyRochelle

I'm teaming up with @nike and @ussportscamps to bring you TWO life-changing Confident Gymnast Camps this summer—and your gymnast is invited! Pittsboro, NC — Unify Athletics | July 19th & 20th. Petaluma, CA — Redwood Empire Gymnastics | August 2nd & 3rd. Spots will go FAST!
https://www.ussportscamps.com/welcome/nike-gymnastics-camps-complete-performance-coaching

Learn exactly what to say and do to guide your athlete through a mental block with my new book "Parenting Through Mental Blocks" Order your copy today: https://a.co/d/g990Bur

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complete_performance/

Join my FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/completeperformancecoaching/

Check out my website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

Write to me! Email: rebecca@completeperformancecoaching.com

Ready to help your athlete overcome fears and mental blocks while gaining unstoppable confidence? Discover the transformative power of PerformHappy now. If your athlete is struggling or feeling left behind, it's time for a change. Are you ready? For more info and to sign up: PerformHappy.com