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.

In this episode, Kara welcomes 14-year-old Milly-Clare from Alabama and her mom, Holly. Born with a limb difference, Milly-Clare has amazed everyone with her elite-level cheer skills, confidence, and mental toughness. We couldn’t wait to hear her story! She shares how she got started in cheer and the ways she has adapted to master the same skills as her peers. Holly reflects on a powerful moment when she realized her daughter could overcome any challenge. Milly-Clare’s journey has inspired thousands, proving that with determination and the right mindset, anything is possible.

Did you know that April is Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness month?

Visit here to learn more: https://40years.amputee-coalition.org/llldam/

Lucky Fin Project: https://luckyfinproject.org

Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back—it’s about learning, adapting, and growing stronger through challenges. In this episode, Kara takes you inside a mental strategy session where athletes defined resilience and explored the impact of rumination on performance. We break down how true resilience is built through reps of adversity, self-awareness, and the support of coaches, parents, and mentors.

Mental Strategy Tidbit:Get your Youth Athlete Resource Guide here!

Confidence is more than just telling athletes to "believe in themselves." In this episode, we explore what confidence really means, how it develops, and actionable ways to help young athletes build it. Learn about the power of repetition, the importance of positive self-talk, and a hands-on activity you can use to demonstrate how confidence grows. This episode is packed with tips for coaches and parents looking to empower their athletes to perform with self-assurance.