Confidence is a fundamental aspect of your young athlete's journey, but where does it come from? It's a question that often preoccupies the minds of parents and athletes alike. Sometimes, it may appear that certain individuals are just naturally more confident, whether they're on the playing field or navigating life. However, I'm here to tell you that confidence is not a predetermined trait, and those who seem less confident are not condemned to remain that way.

I firmly believe that confidence is not an innate quality but something that is crafted over time. It's constructed through experiences, and there are four key elements in which it is built:

**1. Trial and Error:** Confidence grows when your teen athlete is willing to step into the unknown, make mistakes, and learn from them. This requires a growth mindset, the ability to find positives and opportunities for growth in every situation, knowing that everything is ultimately working in their favor.

**2....

Introduction

As a parent of a teenage athlete, you're often faced with difficult decisions regarding their sports journey. One of the most common dilemmas is whether to stay with the same sports club or switch to what might seem like a "better" team or coach. The answer isn't always straightforward, and it depends on various factors. In this blog, we'll explore the intricacies of this decision-making process and offer some guidance for parents navigating these challenging choices.

Understanding Your Motivation

The first step in making this decision is understanding the underlying motivation behind considering a switch. Are you contemplating a change because your child got cut from the team or because the coach's methods are causing distress? Let's delve into two common scenarios.

1. Your Kid Got Cut

It's entirely natural to be upset if your child gets cut from a team. Rejection can be tough, and emotions may run high. However, the key question is...

As high-achieving athletes, we often strive to give 100% effort in every performance. However, this mindset can unknowingly become a source of stress when we don't have 100% to give. In this blog post, we'll explore two essential elements that athletes always have control over: effort and attitude. By understanding how to manage these factors, we can effectively reduce stress, prevent burnout, and enhance our overall performance.

Effort: Giving What You Have Available Today 

One crucial aspect of athletic performance is recognizing that our effort can vary from day to day. Instead of pressuring ourselves to always give 100%, a more sustainable approach is to ask: "What percentage do I have to give today?" By assessing our energy levels, physical condition, and other factors, we can tailor our effort to what is achievable on that particular day. Embracing this concept enables us to manage stress and avoid burnout.

Attitude: Harnessing the Power of Thought 

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Have you ever wondered why you or your athlete struggles with accomplishing their goals? If so, you're not alone. Many athletes face this challenge, and it's often due to a lack of effective goal-setting and planning. But fear not! With September right around the corner, it's the perfect time for a fresh start, even if it's not January. In this blog post, we'll explore why September is an ideal time for student-athletes and their parents to reflect, set goals, and create a plan for success.

The September Advantage

As the summer season comes to a close, it's common for our minds to shift from vacation mode back to a more focused, goal-oriented state. For student-athletes, September marks the beginning of the school year, the start of many sports seasons, and a tangible sense of change in the air. With all these elements aligning, there's no better time to think about how you want this season to unfold.

So, here's your reminder to do a little homework and start...

 As a new season and school year get under way, excitement fills the air for both young athletes and their dedicated parents. The journey that unfolds isn't just about scoring points or winning trophies; it's about personal growth, unwavering support, and the development of a champion's mindset. In this blog, we're diving deep into the strategies that athletes can adopt to start strong and maintain their momentum, alongside actionable tips for parents to provide the ultimate foundation of support. Let's explore:

**For Athletes: Strategies to Begin Strong and Thrive Throughout the Season**

1. Embrace the Learning Curve: Every season is a unique opportunity for growth. Rather than fearing challenges, embrace them as stepping stones toward improvement. By tackling hurdles head-on, you'll evolve into a stronger, more resilient athlete.

2. Focus on the Controllable: Channel your energy into setting daily intentions that are within your control. Whether it's your...

Navigating Toxic Friendships on a Team: A Guide to Self-Reflection and Resolution

Being part of a team can be an incredible experience, offering camaraderie and shared goals. However, team dynamics can become complex when toxic friendships emerge within the group. Toxic friendships can negatively impact team cohesion, individual performance, and overall morale. In this blog, we will explore the challenges of navigating toxic friendships within a team setting and learn how self-reflection and resolution techniques can help address these issues effectively.

Understanding Toxic Friendships on a Team:

1. Team dynamics and toxicity:

In a team environment, friendships can form naturally due to shared interests and constant interaction. While most friendships are positive, toxic ones can emerge when individuals exploit their closeness to manipulate or exert control over others. This dynamic can be particularly challenging when these friendships occur within a team.

2. Impact...

During the month of February, I’m covering all the most frequently asked questions I receive. In this blog, I’m going to cover 3 of the ones I hear A LOT from student athletes and their parents: 

1. What are some tips for not giving up when you are down by 7 and still have 2 more periods to go?
2. How do you help your student-athlete while they’re managing ALLLL the things: multiple sports, hours and hours of practice, social lives, school work, nutrition, rest, down time and everything else that goes with it?
3. How can you work with me?

Let’s dive in!

What are some tips for not giving up when you are down by 7 and still have 2 more periods to go?

This is a TOUGH one. We’ve all been there, done that, and it is hard. But ultimately, it comes down to managing what we can control and what we cannot control in any given situation.

For example: 

What can you not control? That you are down by 7, that there are...

If you play hockey, then upon meeting a new friend, you would likely tell that new friend “I am a hockey player.” Seems pretty simple right? Athletes identify themselves as athletes. But if you’re not careful, they can also become their sport. And when it comes time for that sport to end…depression, anxiety and a feeling of not knowing who they are anymore comes around. Yikes! 

When your identity becomes so wrapped up in your sport, it can be hard to separate who you are as a person outside of who you are as an athlete. I know this because.. This happened to me.

We used to see this with college and olympic athletes, who have been specialized in their sport since high school, really struggling to figure out who they are in their 20s and 30s. But as time has gone by, and the FUN of sports has diminished to the point where 7 and 8 year olds feel like their sport is a JOB, we are now seeing that loss of identity in high schoolers who have been...

Here we are, it’s the second week of January, you’re likely back at practices, back at school, and back to the “normal” that comes every January.

Hopefully you are feeling refreshed, and HOPEFULLY you were able to take a little time off over the holidays. That time off is so needed for athletes to recover physically, and mentally, and also to help prepare for the New Year ahead.

A lot of the time, when you have the “fresh start” that comes with the New Year, you’re eager to dive into those goals. You want to make things happen, right away.

But instead of starting there, I want you to take a look back. 

Look at all the things you accomplished in 2022.

Look at the goals you had set for 2022, or for your current season.

Where are you at with those goals?

Do they need a refresh? 

Are you hitting your milestones, or do you need to adjust?

And remember, it’s ok to adjust. Don’t be too hard...

"The Empowered Athlete: Self-Confidence, Self-Acceptance, and Self-Worth: An Athlete’s Guide to Excellence”

Want to help your student athlete navigate the world of sports, school and the pressures that come with being a kid? Or maybe you need help navigating them as a parent? My book, “The Empowered Athlete,” is out NOW and it can help both you AND your athlete navigate this stage of life and help them build mental toughness on the field and off.

Some common questions:

1. Would this make a good gift for my athlete? It’s a perfect holiday gift for any student-athlete or their parents.. And even coaches!
2. Will my athlete have time to read it? Athletes will have a little extra time on Christmas break, so give them something that can help them TRANSFORM their mindset before the second half of their season gets started.
3. Is it expensive? As soon as the book launches, I’ll be offering a HUGE sale on the eBook version for a limited time...