Is mental training for young athletes actually worth it? If you’ve tried pep talks, advice, or even therapy and still feel stuck, this episode brings you real parent stories that lay it all out. Hear how two families faced mental struggles, found new tools, and saw their athletes regain confidence and love for their sports.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How common parenting pep talks might be doing more harm than good
• Why including parents in mental training makes a big difference
• How hesitant teens can be gently introduced to mental skills
• What real confidence looks like beyond "just be confident"
• Creative ways busy athletes fit mental training into their day
• The power of live community calls and coach texting support
• Differences between mental training and therapy approaches
• How these mental skills also help in non-sport performance areas
• What the no-risk, two-week trial means for families trying it out

Curious about the honest ups and downs these parents experienced? Ready to hear how mental training brought peace, focus, and fun back to their families?

Listen to the full episode now. You won’t want to miss a minute!

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] Introduction to Real Parent Stories. Two parents share honest experiences about how the Elite Mental Game program helped their daughters overcome mental struggles in sports.

[00:01:00] Chris’s Daughter’s Mental Challenges. Chris talks about her 15-year-old volleyball player who used to break down in tears at tournaments and how traditional pep talks made things worse.

[00:01:30] Carlos’s Daughter Nearly Quitting Gymnastics. Carlos shares his daughter’s loss of confidence and how nothing was working until they joined the program.

[00:06:00] Presenting the Program to Teens. Chris and Carlos discuss their approaches to getting their daughters on board without making it feel like something was wrong.

[00:12:30] Overcoming Mental Blocks and Shifting Mindset. Carlos shares how his daughter went from struggling with confidence to trusting herself and enjoying her sport again.

[00:22:00] How Mental Training Fits Busy Schedules. The parents describe how their daughters fit 15-60 minutes of mental training into their busy days, including during car rides and before practices.

[00:46:00] What Parents Gain from the Program. The program helps parents redefine their role, to support without over-coaching or pressuring, and improves family communication.

[00:52:00] Mental Training vs. Therapy and Other Programs. Carlos explains how previous therapy didn’t help but the practical, tool-focused approach of this program did.

[00:58:00] Easy Getting Started and Lifetime Access. Athletes get clear, self-paced steps to begin, plus lifetime access to materials and parent support communities.

[01:01:00] Recap: Building Trust, Confidence, and Joy. Mental training builds trusting self-confidence, equips for challenges, and helps athletes enjoy their sport, while parents learn effective support.

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.

Join our LIVE trainings for sports moms happening now! [REGISTER]

Stressed thinking about scholarships, applications, and college costs? You’re not alone. Shellee Howard shares simple, practical advice that actually makes this process feel doable.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• How to set your athlete up for success academically and financially.
• Practical strategies for aiming for a debt-free education.
• Tips for athletes at every stage, from just starting high school to preparing for college.
• Real-life examples showing how small steps now can pay off big later.

Get ready to feel more confident and less stressed about the whole college journey!

Come hang out with Shellee:

• Instagram: @collegereadyplan
• Learn more & work with her: https://collegereadyplan.com/
• Guest interview inquiries: shellee@collegereadyplan.com

Episode Highlights:

[00:01:04] About Shellee Howard and College Ready. Shellee has spent nearly two decades helping families navigate the college admission process, and she’s walked the walk – her own four kids all went to college debt free!

[00:08:07] Biggest Mistake: Lacking a Plan. One of the biggest issues families face is putting all their hopes on an athletic scholarship without having backup plans in place for college funding.

[00:10:19] Viewing College as a Business. The availability of athletic scholarships depends a lot on whether the sport brings in money for the university, so it’s smart to think about academics and other scholarship options too.

[00:14:33] Finding the Right Academic and Athletic Fit. It’s not just about grades and scores—showing passion, leadership, and finding the right fit academically and socially can really open scholarship doors.

[00:18:56] Helping Athletes Determine College Fit. Rather than picking a school because it’s sunny or close to the beach, it’s important for students to start exploring their interests and values early to find a good college fit.

[00:23:59] College Prep Timeline: Start in Middle School. Starting as early as 7th or 8th grade gives students time to build their resume through community service, leadership, and other activities that will help them stand out.

[00:29:11] The “Brag Binder” Strategy. Keeping a binder or digital folder of all achievements and awards helps kids see their strengths and makes application prep easier down the line.

[00:32:05] Addressing Uncertainty About Majors and Careers. A lot of students don’t know what they want to study. Focusing on core values and strengths can help guide that decision without pressure.

[00:37:00] The Value of Neutral Mentors. Sometimes teens need a safe, judgment-free space to open up about their goals, and having a neutral coach or mentor can make all the difference.

[00:38:11] Additional Resources. There are great resources – books, websites, and personal coaching – that families can tap into for support with college prep and making it debt free.

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.

Join our LIVE trainings for sports moms happening now! [REGISTER]

How do you get your daughter to actually want to work on her mental game… without the sighs, eye rolls, or “Mom, stop”?

This episode is packed with strategies to help you bring up mental training in a way that doesn’t feel pushy, awkward, or like something’s “wrong” with her. Instead, you’ll learn how to spark curiosity, connect it to her goals, and make it fun.

Here’s what you’ll hear inside:

• Why some athletes resist mental training at first and what makes them change their mind.
• A simple way to show your daughter that top athletes all work on their mindset.
• The secret to tying mental training directly to your daughter’s personal goals so it clicks with her.
• Quick wins that make mental training feel exciting instead of overwhelming.
• A fun quiz that helps athletes see their “competitor style” and gets them talking about mindset.

If you’re tired of feeling like the “nagging mom” every time you bring this up, this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now and find out how to introduce mental training without the eye rolls!

Episode Highlights:

[00:00:00] Why Mental Training Matters. Most athletes don’t get taught mental skills by their coaches, even though confidence, handling nerves, and bouncing back from mistakes are key to success.

[00:01:30] A Story from Sheridan. One athlete inside the Elite Mental Game admits she was skeptical at first but after using her reset routine, she quickly felt calmer and more in control at practice.

[00:03:00] Strategy #1: Show Her What the Best Athletes Do. Teens listen more when advice comes from athletes they admire. Using examples like Simone Biles, Serena Williams, or Steph Curry helps make mental training feel legit.

[00:06:07] Strategy #2: Connect It to Her Goals. Your daughter is motivated by what she wants, not what you want. Linking mental training to her personal goals (making varsity, having more fun, or being a great teammate) makes the conversation easier.

[00:08:18] Strategy #3: Start Small with Quick Wins. Long lectures won’t work. Instead, give her fast, fun wins like the “What’s Your Competitor Style?” quiz so she learns about herself and sees the benefits of mental training right away.

[00:11:16] Resources to Make It Easier. The Elite Mental Game program is built for athletes and parents, giving quick, practical tools that stick. Plus, the Conversation Guide includes scripts and starters to make talking about mental training way less awkward.

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.

Join our LIVE trainings for sports moms happening now! [REGISTER]