Why Growth This Summer Might Look Less Like Grinding—and More Like Exploring

Jun 25, 2025

When we think about motivation, especially in sports, we often picture grit, hustle, and pushing through discomfort. And while there’s a time and place for that kind of effort, it’s not the only path to growth—especially in the off-season.

In fact, one of the most powerful things your athlete can do right now is something they haven’t tried before.

This week, I posed a challenge to the athletes inside my Off-Season: Summer Advantage Program:

What if motivation looked like trying something new?
Not grinding harder.
Not pushing through fatigue or burnout.
But leaning into the kind of growth that feels a little uncomfortable—and a little exciting.

Why “New” Matters More Than “Perfect”

Trying something new disrupts autopilot mode. It invites curiosity, risk, and a different kind of confidence—the kind that comes from exploration, not just repetition.

That might look like:

Practicing a new pre-performance routine
Journaling for the first time about a game-day experience
Speaking up in team settings
Taking intentional rest (yes, that counts!)
Or simply trying a mental reset strategy that feels unfamiliar

But here’s what I’ve been encouraging even more this month:
Try something new that has nothing to do with their sport at all.

Why? Because identity expansion matters.

When athletes learn to find joy, challenge, or creativity in something totally outside their performance world, they gain resilience that isn’t tied to outcomes. They discover new sides of themselves—ones that aren’t measured by stats, scores, or feedback from a coach.

This could be:

Taking a cooking class
Learning guitar
Painting
Volunteering
Hiking a trail they’ve never been on
Or yes, even just saying “yes” to something spontaneous

These experiences may seem small, but they’re huge in helping athletes grow into well-rounded, mentally strong, emotionally flexible people. Which, in turn, makes them better athletes.

Here’s What Parents Often Tell Me

“They just won’t try something if they think they’ll be bad at it.”

Whether it’s a new skill on the ice or something totally unrelated to sport — if they believe they’ll fail, they often won’t even try.

This is exactly why stepping outside their comfort zone matters.

Because the more they practice taking risks in safe, low-pressure environments — like trying something new off the field — the more likely they are to take chances when it counts on the field. It all transfers. Every single rep of courage counts.

But here’s the catch:
You can’t only push them to take risks in their sport.
You have to support them in trying new things in every part of their life.

Let this summer be your first step.
Say yes to curiosity. Support exploration.
And show them that who they are outside of sport matters just as much as who they are inside it.

And Here’s the Part I Feel Most Strongly About…

I’m doing it too.

As a mindset coach, former athlete, and still-active hockey player, I know how easy it is to fall into routine—to stick with what’s comfortable. But if we want our athletes to grow, we have to model that ourselves.

So this summer, I’m stepping out of my own comfort zone. Not just physically, but mentally. Because growth isn’t just about performance—it’s about showing up differently, with intention and courage.

Progress Over Perfection

If your athlete is in the thick of summer break, wondering what “staying on track” really means, here’s your reminder:

The goal isn’t perfection.
It’s progress through exploration.

Whether they’re resting, reflecting, or trying something brand new—inside or outside of their sport—every step counts.

And if they’re ready for guidance along the way, my Summer Off-Season Program is here to support them—with mindset tools they can use in real time to recharge, reflect, and return to their sport more confident than ever.

👉 Learn more

Final Thought