What happens when the sport you love starts to hurt you?

For many athletes, quitting isn’t just about giving up; it’s about choosing your wellbeing over the game. In this episode, Greer, a former Purdue University collegiate cheerleader, shares her raw and honest journey from excitement and confidence to frustration and tough decisions. What happens when coaching changes turn a dream team into a toxic environment? When does pushing through become too much? Greer’s story will challenge everything you think you know about quitting in sports.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Growing up with anxiety and finding confidence through cheerleading
• The realities of college cheer recruiting and earning your spot
• How sudden coaching changes can shake a team to its core
• The difference between being an amazing athlete and an amazing coach
• Navigating toxic team dynamics and power struggles
• Taking a stand with Title IX and prioritizing mental health
• Why sometimes quitting is the bravest and healthiest choice

Ready to hear the full story and gain insights that every athlete and parent needs? Listen to the full episode now.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] Standing at the Crossroads: To Quit or Not? Greer opens up about the difficult decision many athletes face: whether to keep going or walk away from a sport they love but that’s become challenging.

[04:15] Growing Up in Sports: Finding Confidence in Cheer. Greer shares how she balanced multiple sports growing up, ultimately finding her confidence and joy in cheerleading despite struggles with anxiety and perfectionism.

[09:30] Navigating College Cheer Recruiting. An inside look at how collegiate cheer recruiting works, including camps, tryouts, and how Purdue’s coaches saw potential in Greer even though she was still learning key skills.

[14:50] Freshman Year Highs: Support and Belonging. Greer describes the excitement of making the Purdue cheer team and feeling supported by coaches who believed in her potential.

[19:20] Freshman Year Lows: Coaching Changes and Team Turmoil. Just before tryouts, the original coaches left, and the new coaching staff struggled to lead, creating a toxic environment that fractured team dynamics.

[25:10] When Great Athletes Aren’t Great Coaches. Greer reflects on how the new coaches’ lack of experience and leadership skills negatively impacted the team culture and athlete wellbeing.

[30:45] Toxic Team Culture and Power Dynamics. Examples of how the new coaches pitted teammates against each other, dismissed academic priorities, and treated athletes disrespectfully.

[36:00] Taking a Stand: Speaking Up and Seeking Help. Greer recounts filing a Title IX complaint, seeking counseling, and advocating for herself despite the fear and uncertainty.

[41:30] Aftermath and Moving On. The problematic coaches were fired, but with ongoing instability, Greer made the difficult decision to quit cheer and focus on her mental health and academics.

[46:00] Lessons Learned: Prioritizing Wellbeing Over Sport. Greer’s final thoughts on the importance of respect, support, and knowing when walking away is the healthiest choice for an athlete’s future.

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

Register here for the Summer Confidence Series to grab the free PDF with scripts, strategies, and a recap of the episodes all in one place!

Join the Waitlist for Dream Team - our high level 6 month coaching program for competitive girl athletes!

You’re standing on the sidelines, watching your daughter trudge off the field after a tough loss or a rough game. Her body language screams frustration, and your stomach knots up. Here comes that awful car ride home. You want to help, but every attempt seems to make things worse.

Sound familiar?

In this episode, I’m sharing my LOVE Framework: the exact system I teach parents in our Elite Mental Game program. These four simple steps will transform those tense post-game moments from stressful to supportive.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

🔥 Why your usual pep talks might be backfiring (and what to do instead).
🍦 The unexpected power of post-game rituals (hint: it’s not about the ice cream...but that helps).
💬 My go-to scripts: Exactly what to say when she’s angry, disappointed, or beating herself up.
🚫 The 3 phrases I tell parents to avoid at all costs (you’re probably using at least one).
🔄 How I help athletes turn “I suck” into “I’ll improve” (without fake positivity).

Free Resource: Grab my 25 Confidence-Building Phrases cheat sheet at trainhergame.com so you’ll never be stuck searching for words again.

Press play now! Your daughter (and your future car rides) will thank you.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00:00] The Tough Post-Game Dilemma. Introduction to the common struggle parents face when their daughter has a difficult game - the tension between saying nothing (risking seeming uncaring) and saying the wrong thing (causing shutdowns).

[00:00:31] Introducing the LOVE Framework. The 4-step LOVE Framework used in the Elite Mental Game program to handle post-game conversations effectively.

[00:01:24] Real Mom Success Stories. Three moms (Nicole, Shelly, and Andrea) share how using the LOVE Framework transformed their post-game car rides from tense to productive.

[00:02:41] The Two-Piece Confidence Puzzle. Explanation of how confidence stems from both: 1) Parental interactions, and 2) The athlete’s own mental processing skills.

[00:04:46] L - Let Her Lead. Why giving space post-game matters more than immediate feedback, with Dr. Becky Kennedy’s “emotional bench” analogy about sitting with discomfort.

[00:08:51] O - Open the Space. How creating predictable rituals (like post-game snacks) builds psychological safety for natural conversation.

[00:10:27] V - Validate the Emotion. The mirror technique: Reflecting emotions without agreeing with harsh self-criticism (“I believe you feel that way” vs. “You’re right, you played terribly”).

[00:13:58] E - Encourage Inward Reflection. Powerful questions to ask later (“What’s one thing you’re proud of?” “What would you tell a teammate feeling this way?”) that strengthen self-assessment skills.

[00:15:32] Special Case: Coach-Parents. The scrunchie method: Letting athletes physically signal whether they want “coach” or “mom” feedback in post-game conversations.

[00:16:25] Free Resource Alert. 25 Key Phrases PDF available at trainhergame.com to help parents navigate pre- and post-game conversations.

[00:16:56] Framework Recap. Quick review of LOVE: Let Her Lead, Open the Space, Validate Emotion, Encourage Inward reflection.

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.

Trying to make varsity next season? Want coaches to actually notice you this summer?

In this episode, I’m breaking down what high-performing athletes are really doing in the off-season to level up, based on what I’ve seen work as a 4x state championship coach. And no, it’s not just about showing up to practice. Hint: it’s more than just showing up to practice.

We’re breaking down 4 simple but powerful ways you can stand out this summer (without burning out).

Plus, a quick story about a softball player who gained confidence, leveled up her game, and got noticed, all from doing one thing differently.

Here’s what you’ll get:

💯 Why showing up consistently is more powerful than being the best
💬 What real leadership looks like (even if you’re quiet)
🧠 How to stop spiraling after a mistake and stay focused
🥗 Why eating and sleeping well is your responsibility—not your mom’s
📝 A fun bonus quiz to figure out your athlete style

This episode is your off-season game plan. Let’s get to work. 👊

Take the Competitor Quiz: elitecompetitor.com/athlete

Episode Highlights:

[00:00:00] A fresh start. Summer’s here, and if you’re hoping to make varsity or move up next season, this is your shot. These tips come from a high school volleyball coach who’s led her team to four state titles.

[00:01:27] Quick shoutout. Shoutout to Cindy, a softball player in our program who started mental training and quickly got noticed by coaches. Confidence really changes the game.

[00:02:39] Tip 1: Show up. If you want to stand out, start with consistency. Be at workouts, practices, and camps. Coaches notice who’s all in.

[00:03:38] Tip 2: Lead your way. Leadership isn’t about being loud. It’s about setting the tone—working hard, helping teammates, and showing up with good energy.

[00:05:39] Tip 3: Train your mind. Want to bounce back fast and handle pressure? That starts with mental training: routines, breathwork, and mindset work.

[00:07:41] Tip 4: Fuel like an athlete. Take care of your body with consistent meals, hydration, and good sleep. And if your parents are still waking you up or reminding you to eat… it’s time to step up.

[00:10:23] Quick recap. Be consistent. Lead by example. Train your mindset. Take care of your body.

[00:10:58] Want to go deeper? Take the competitor quiz at elitecompetitor.com/athlete to learn your style and how to train smarter.

[00:11:52] You got this. Use the summer to get better, stand out, and become the athlete you want to be.

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.

🚨 Think the hardest part of youth sports is the competition? Think again.

The real challenge? The sideline chatter. The eye rolls. The “why is my kid on the bench?” mutters. That toxic energy that makes you dread game days more than your athlete does.

If you’ve ever: felt your blood boil over sideline gossip, worried how negativity affects your young athlete, or wished you had the perfect comeback for critical parents, this episode is for you!

What You’ll Learn:

🗣️ The 3 reasons parents turn into sideline critics (it’s not what you think)
😟 How just overhearing negativity can tank your athlete’s confidence
🎧 The “Headphone Hack”, a genius way to stay above the drama
🚫 The one phrase that accidentally fuels team tension (you’ve probably said it)
🌱 How to spot if you’re “watering weeds” in your sports community

💡 Why This Matters Now:

Sideline toxicity is driving good kids out of sports. But when you change how YOU show up, you protect your athlete’s joy and set an example other parents will follow.

🎧 Tap into the full episode to reclaim your peace (and your love of game days)

👉 Want to build your athlete’s mental game? Grab our free training: TrainHerGame.com.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00:00] The Sideline Struggle. Why parent drama often becomes the hardest part of youth sports, and how negativity impacts both parents and athletes.

[00:01:31] Real Results from Mental Training. A success story from Jennifer, a mom in our Elite Mental Game program, whose daughter used mental skills to bounce back from a mistake and earn compliments from opposing coaches.

[00:04:05] Why Parents Turn Negative. The psychology behind sideline gossip, from competitive stress to social bonding, and why it spreads so quickly in youth sports.

[00:06:19] The “Watering Weeds” Metaphor. How focusing on negativity (like watering weeds) harms your athlete’s experience, and why we need to redirect our attention to what matters.

[00:09:47] Strategy #1: The Headphone Approach. Practical ways to block out sideline noise, literally or figuratively, to protect your peace and model resilience for your athlete.

[00:11:36] Strategy #2: Setting Boundaries. Scripts to politely shut down gossip without drama, from neutral redirects to firm responses when criticism crosses the line.

[00:14:52] The Coach-Complaint Trap. Why venting to your child about their coach backfires, and how it creates self-doubt and team division.

[00:18:00] Strategy #3: Control Your Focus. How to conserve your emotional energy by investing in positive connections and letting go of what you can’t change.

[00:19:42] Free Resource for Sports Parents. Where to access our training on building your athlete’s mental game (and a discount for the Elite Mental Game program).

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.

Register here for the Summer Confidence Series to grab the free PDF with scripts, strategies, and a recap of the episodes all in one place!

“Why is my daughter starving an hour after practice?”
“How do I teach her to cook when we’re always rushing to games?”
“What should she actually be eating to perform her best?”

If these questions sound familiar, you’re in the right place. This episode is your game plan for turning food from an afterthought into your athlete’s secret weapon, while teaching her life skills that go way beyond the kitchen.

What You’ll Learn:

🍳 Why the kitchen is the BEST “practice field” for building confidence, resilience, and teamwork (yes, really!).
🥑 The 3 biggest fueling mistakes young athletes make (and how to fix them without stress).
💡 Simple ways to involve your athlete in meal prep, even on crazy busy nights (hint: start with ONE skill).
😅 How to talk about food without creating fear or guilt (especially for girls in sports like gymnastics or swimming).

Free Resource:

📲 Grab Katie’s “Life Skills Camp” videos to teach your athlete kitchen confidence:

https://kidscookrealfood.com/

https://kidscookrealfood.com/elitelifeskills

@katiekimballkidscook

Your Next Move:

✅ Try ONE thing from this episode (maybe hydration first thing in the morning?).
✅ Tag a sports parent who needs this, because every athlete deserves to feel strong and energized.
✅ Subscribe to Raising Elite Competitors for more mindset and performance tips.

P.S. If this episode helped you, leave a review and tell us what clicked! ⭐️ Your feedback helps other sports parents find the show.

Episode Highlights:

[00:01:12] Meet Katie Kimball. Katie’s background as a mom of four, former teacher, and founder of Kids Cook Real Food, which was named the best online cooking class for kids by the Wall Street Journal. Her mission: helping families connect through healthy food.

[00:12:44] Hydration Tips for Athletes. Why hydration starts from the moment they wake up and how to make “smart water” with electrolytes for better absorption.

[00:20:46] Age-Appropriate Kitchen Skills. Practical ways to involve athletes in meal prep, starting with simple tasks (like cracking eggs) and progressing to full meals. Katie’s tip: Teach skills, not just recipes.

[00:32:47] Modeling a Healthy Relationship with Food. How parents can demonstrate positive habits (like measuring protein for performance) without passing on food anxieties. Katie’s mantra: “Food is fuel, not fear.”

[00:38:12] Free Resource for Listeners. Katie’s Life Skills Camp videos available at https://kidscookrealfood.com/ and https://kidscookrealfood.com/elitelifeskills and her Instagram @katiekimballkidscook for real-life meal ideas.

[00:39:06] Closing Thoughts. Katie’s excitement about empowering female athletes, and Coach Bre’s gratitude for the conversation.

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 a

Register here for the Summer Confidence Series to grab the free PDF with scripts, strategies, and a recap of the episodes all in one place!

Join the Waitlist for Dream Team - our high level 6 month coaching program for competitive girl athletes!

Are you feeling the pressure to have your daughter specialize in one sport or position too early? You’re not alone. In this powerful episode, I sit down with Carrie Dever Boaz – a D1 softball coach, sports parenting expert, and leader at Extra Inning Softball – to unpack the truth about early specialization and how to navigate it without sacrificing your child’s love for the game.

What You’ll Learn:

✅ The hidden risks of early specialization. Why pushing kids into one sport too soon can backfire.

✅ When (and if!) specialization actually makes sense. Carrie’s surprising take on the right age.

✅ High school vs. travel ball. Why BOTH experiences matter more than you think.

✅ How to handle pressure from coaches, without becoming "that parent".

✅ The power of failure. Why letting your athlete struggle is the best thing you can do.

✅ Real talk on burnout and how to know if it’s time to push through or walk away.

✅ Carrie’s top parenting advice and what she wishes she knew sooner about raising athletes.

🎧 Listen to the full episode now! This conversation is packed with game-changing insights you won’t want to miss.

P.S. Need help with the mental side of sports? Our Elite Mental Game (EMG) program gives athletes and parents the tools to thrive.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00:00] Introduction to Early Specialization. The topic of early specialization in youth sports and the pressures parents face to have their kids focus on one sport or position too soon.

[00:01:09] Meet Carrie Dever Boaz. Introduction of Carrie, a longtime coach, sports parent, and representative of Extra Inning Softball, who shares her expertise on navigating youth sports.

[00:01:53] Shoutout to EMG Community. Acknowledgment of the Elite Mental Game (EMG) program and how it helps athletes and parents manage the mental side of sports, including burnout and confidence.

[00:04:35] Carrie’s Background & Experience. Carrie shares her journey as a multi-sport athlete, college coach, and sports parent, highlighting her unique perspective on youth sports.

[00:06:51] The Mission of Extra Inning Softball. Carrie explains how Extra Inning Softball supports athletes, parents, and coaches with resources, rankings, and mentorship programs like the Commit Crew.

[00:12:29] Defining Specialization in Sports. Discussion on what specialization really means – whether it’s focusing on one sport or one position – and why it’s becoming more common at younger ages.

[00:17:32] High School vs. Club Sports. The differences between high school and elite club sports, and why both experiences are valuable for young athletes.

[00:23:47] Handling Pressure from Coaches. How parents can advocate for their kids without overstepping, and why communication between athletes and coaches is crucial.

[00:30:49] Parenting Wisdom: Love & Let Them Struggle. Carrie’s heartfelt advice on parenting young athletes—loving hard, celebrating failures, and keeping family bonds strong.

[00:40:03] Avoiding “Lawnmower Parenting”. The dangers of overprotecting kids in sports and why letting them face challenges builds resilience.

[00:43:39] Closing Thoughts. Coach Bre wraps up with gratitude for Carrie’s insights and encouragement for parents navigating youth sports.

Next Steps:

• Join our FREE Training for Sports Moms - How to Strengthen Your Athlete Daughter's Mental Game so She Be

Register here for the Summer Confidence Series to grab the free PDF with scripts, strategies, and a recap of the episodes all in one place!

Join the Waitlist for Dream Team - our high level 6 month coaching program for competitive girl athletes!

Athletes, does your brain ever hijack you with “What if I choke?” or “What if I let everyone down?” before a big moment? This episode is your playbook to crush those mental spirals and unlock your confidence. Let’s GO.

What’s Covered

✅ Why your brain LOVES negativity (and how to rewire it).
✅ The #1 exercise to flip fear into fuel (spoiler: all you need is a pen!).
✅ Why worst-case scenarios are WAY less likely than you think.
✅ How to create a “positive snowball effect” (hint: focus is everything).
✅ Real-life proof: Hear how athlete Isabelle smashed her mental blocks and scored 6 personal bests in one competition.

Ready to ditch the overthinking and play with fearless focus? Tap into the full episode for my step-by-step strategy – plus the exact phrases to say to yourself when your brain starts spiraling. Hit play now and let’s get you out of your head and into your greatness.

P.S. Share this with a teammate who needs it! 🏆

Episode Highlights:

[00:00:00] Episode Intro. Addressing the mental trap of negative ‘what if’ spirals in sports and teasing a game-changing mindset shift to break free.

[00:00:50] Shoutout to Isabelle. Celebrating Isabelle’s mental breakthrough in her heptathlon, including a 23-second PR in her 800m race.

[00:01:36] Today’s Tip: Stop the Spiral. The episode’s focus: A practical strategy to escape negative thought loops and regain mental control.

[00:02:00] Why Negative Thoughts Happen. Explains how the brain’s survival instincts fuel negativity and why sports require overriding this default.

[00:03:02] The “What If” Spiral Strategy. Introducing the core exercise: Flipping fear-based “what ifs” into empowering possibilities.

[00:04:00] Step 1: List Negative “What Ifs”. Practical prompt to pause and write down fears (e.g., “What if I embarrass myself?”).

[00:05:34] Step 2: Flip to Positive “What Ifs”. Guides listeners to reframe fears into hopeful scenarios (e.g., “What if I surprise myself?”).

[00:06:00] Which List is More Realistic? Encourages comparing both lists, emphasizing that positive outcomes are often more likely.

[00:08:00] The Snowball Effect of Focus. How dwelling on negativity (or positivity) creates self-fulfilling mental momentum.

[00:09:00] Wrap-Up and Call to Action. Final encouragement to share the episode and take control of mindset.

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.

Mental blocks are frustrating, for both you and your athlete. She has the skill. She’s done it before. But now? She’s hesitating, freezing, or shutting down. If you’ve ever thought, “Just do it!” but your daughter can’t seem to push past it, this episode is for you. I’m breaking down what’s really happening in her brain, and sharing 3 tools you can use today to help her move forward.

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

✅ What a mental block actually is and what it’s not.

✅ The role of fear and pressure in holding your daughter back.

✅ How to tell the difference between a slump and a block.

✅ The power of normalizing her experience (and what not to say).

✅ How to build a “bridge” instead of pushing for a leap.

✅ A real story from a mom who saw her daughter come out stronger on the other side.

✅ My go-to mental training strategies inside Elite Mental Game.

🎧 Your daughter doesn’t have to stay stuck. Listen in and grab these tools so you can be the steady support she needs right when it counts most.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00:00] The Heartbreak of Mental Blocks. That gut-wrenching moment when your athlete freezes mid-skill - even though she’s done it perfectly a hundred times before. If you’ve ever thought “Just do it!” in frustration, this episode is for you.

[00:01:05] A Mom’s Breakthrough Story. Hear Lauren’s emotional text about her daughter Lila’s transformation - how she went from frozen with fear to enjoying gymnastics again through our Elite Mental Game program.

[00:02:36] What Mental Blocks REALLY Are. They’re not about ability; it’s when the brain literally locks access to skills due to perceived threats (embarrassment, failure, or physical danger). Science calls this “choking.”

[00:04:23] Tool 1: Normalize, Don’t Shame. Why bribes (“I’ll buy you shoes if you land this by Friday!”) backfire, and how validation helps calm the nervous system for better progress.

[00:07:00] Tool 2: Build a Bridge, Not a Leap. The step-by-step method to rebuild skills through drills, spotting, and visualization; small wins tell the brain “This is safe” again.

[00:09:31] The Smoothie Glass Analogy. How negative thoughts become concrete-like beliefs if left unchallenged (and how to “clean the glass” daily before they harden).

[00:13:21] Tool 3: Train the Mind Daily. The 3-minute “BRAVE” method combining breathwork + visualization that helps athletes in our program break through blocks.

[00:16:29] Action Plan Recap. Normalize the struggle 2) Break skills into tiny steps 3) Practice mental training daily. Plus, where to get our free parent training.

[00:17:43] Final Encouragement. Mental blocks are temporary – with these tools, your athlete will come out stronger. “The block didn’t break her; it taught her how to fight.”

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.

Register here for the Summer Confidence Series to grab the free PDF with scripts, strategies, and a recap of the episodes all in one place!