More Than Skill

In this episode, we break down the difference between teaching mindset concepts and actually training them—something most coaches overlook. Many youth coaches define ideas like confidence, focus, resilience, and growth mindset…but stop short of showing athletes how to build these skills through real, repeatable practice.

You’ll learn practical strategies for helping young athletes develop mental tools the same way they train physical skills. We’ll cover:
• How to increase awareness of thoughts using simple, actionable cues
• A coach-friendly way to teach fixed vs. growth mindset
• Fun and engaging activities that improve focus in real time
• How to help athletes handle pressure using routines and controlled challenges
• Ways to integrate breathwork and emotional regulation directly into practice

If you’re a coach or parent who wants your athletes to develop confidence, resilience, and stronger mental habits, this episode gives you clear examples you can start using today.

MST: Your athletes are a reflection of YOU.

FREE resources

12 Mental Strategy Activities for Youth Athletes

Growth Mindset Activity Workbook

How do you build the mental toughness to lead—and to help athletes thrive—when the stakes are high? Toni Will, General Manager of a men’s professional hockey team and the first woman in her league to hold that role, joins Kara to share the mindset principles that determine success on and off the ice.

In this conversation, Toni talks about:

• Breaking barriers as a woman in pro sports (12:24)

• Her Six Leadership Pillars for athletes, parents, and coaches (26:52)

• Building confidence and resilience in young players (3:28)

• Living alcohol-free for greater clarity and energy (33:38)

• Turning life’s “detours” into growth opportunities (36:51)

  Advice for parents and coaches (44:40)

Whether you’re a parent, coach, or athlete, you’ll leave inspired to train the mind like a pro and create a winning culture in sports and life.

Connect with Toni:

toniwill.com

Kalamazoo Wings

Books mentioned on today's episode:

10x is Better Than 2x

The Anxious Generation

Loving What Is

Parents, what you say after practice or a game can shape your young athlete’s mindset more than you think. In this short episode, Kara shares science-backed tips for parents of youth athletes on how to handle the car ride home and those crucial moments after practice.

Whether your child is a competitive cheerleader, plays soccer, basketball, footballl, or any youth sport, this episode shows you how to:

• Support your athlete’s mental health and confidence

• Use expert strategies from sports psychology research

• Build trust and improve parent-athlete communication

Grab Kara’s free download, “10 Questions to Ask Your Athlete After Practice,” for conversation starters that create connection without adding pressure.

Mental Strategy Tidbit: Mistakes=Data Reframe

48-hour rule

When you have athletes that seem overly emotional, angry or they just shut down, they're probably dysregulated.

In this episode, Kara talks about how the nervous system can perceive a negative situation as a threat- causing athletes to become combative or upset- and tools we can use to help our athletes settle back in to a balanced and steady state.

10 questions to ask your athlete after practice

What the heck is a mental block? Why does it happen? And what can we do to help- all questions answered in this week's episode.

Kara talks about why she doesn't call it a mental block anymore and reasons why your cheerleader or gymnast is dealing with it in the first place.

MST of the day: Challenge yourself like you challenge your athletes. Hold yourself to the same standards you expect from them.

Freebie: Mental Block Guide for Parents and Coaches

In a coaches mind, inconsistency looks like lack of effort- no drive, no focus .But what if the issue goes deeper than that?

In this episode, Kara discusses how mindset is the root cause of inconsistency and gives you 3 tools to help combat it and build up mindset in young athletes.

MST of the day: Is your athlete burned out or just micro-burned?

10 questions to ask your athlete after practice

Self-Talk Assessment Quiz

We all love working with the talented athletes. But if you're in it for the glory, you're in it for the wrong reasons.

In this episode Kara talks about why talent doesn't matter unless mindset training is a part of development. She gives 3 ways to start implementing this training today.

MST: Walking Meditation with Dr. Joe Dispenza:

FREE Resource: Self-Talk Quiz

Ever wish you could shake an athlete by the shoulders and yell, “YOU HAVE THE SKILLS—JUST BE CONFIDENT!”? (Same.) But confidence isn’t something you can hand over in a box with a bow...it’s something that’s built. Layer by layer.

In this episode, we’re diving deep into the real formula for confidence, beyond the usual “just do more reps” or “say nice things to yourself in the mirror.” Those help, but they’re just the beginning. Kara walks you through the 6 puzzle pieces every athlete needs to actually develop lasting confidence:
🧠 Reps
📈 Proof
🫶 Support
🪞 Self-awareness
💥 Resilience
✨ And yes… a tiny sprinkle of delusion

Whether your athlete is paralyzed by fear or already fearless but doesn’t know why, this episode breaks it all down in a way coaches and parents can apply TODAY.

🎧 Hit play now and learn how to build your athlete’s confidence from the inside out.

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Perfect for:
✔️ Coaches looking for a better way to teach confidence
✔️ Parents of athletes struggling with fear or inconsistency
✔️ Anyone who’s tired of hearing “just be confident” with no plan behind it

🔗 Did you know we help athletes through 1:1 Mental Strategy Lessons?—real tools, real mindset shifts, real results. Click here to learn more and book your free exploration call

#MentalStrategy #YouthAthletes #ConfidenceTips #SportsParenting #CheerCoach #TumblingConfidence #MoreThanSkillPodcast

Use these simplified mental strategy tools at your next practice or class! Hands-on activities catering to 1st graders that show the power of mindset.

Green vs. Red words

Flamingo Game

Neuroplasticity exercise

Mental Strategy Tidbit: Go Outside!

This week, Kara discusses how parents play the biggest role in coaching their young athletes. Your words matter. Your body language matters. Your actions matter. Take away 3 mindset tools that you can implement with your athlete TODAY- AND grab this FREE self-talk assessment quiz

Want more? For our cheerleaders and gymnasts, be sure to check out the Talk Like a Champion Workbook to progress faster in your tumbling skills.

Looking for more individualized attention? We offer mental strategy private lessons. Click to learn more and book a FREE exploration call.