There is nothing more frustrating than watching your gymnast freeze on a skill they know how to do. One day it looks easy, and the next day, fear and hesitation take over. It can leave both of you confused and unsure how to help.

In this week’s episode of the PerformHappy Podcast, I talk about the things that actually make mental blocks worse and what to do instead. Around this time of year, I call it Nervous November because fears seem to grow stronger and confidence can feel shaky. The good news is that there are small changes that make a big difference.

The first mistake to stop making is taking long breaks from the skill. Avoiding it feels easier, but it only keeps the fear alive. Instead, find a safe version of the skill and work there. Confidence grows when your gymnast can stretch their comfort zone without feeling overwhelmed.

The second thing to stop doing is trying to trick the brain. Fear is not something to fight or ignore. It is the brain’s way of saying, “Let’s slow down and check if this is safe.” When you listen to that signal and take small steps forward, progress comes faster.

Bribes and threats do not work either. Saying things like “You can’t leave until you do it” or offering a reward adds pressure. Mental blocks are not a motivation problem. Your gymnast already wants it. What helps most is calm support and patience.

In this episode, I share

• Why avoiding skills keeps fear alive
 • Why tricking your brain backfires
 • Why pressure and bribes slow down progress
 • How to help your gymnast rebuild confidence one step at a time

The best way through a mental block is not to fight it but to understand it. When you listen to your brain, take small steps, and stay patient, confidence will return. — Rebecca Smith

Learn exactly what to say and do to guide your athlete through a mental block with my new book "Parenting Through Mental Blocks" Order your copy today: https://a.co/d/g990Bur

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complete_performance/

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Check out my website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

Write to me! Email: [email protected]

Ready to help your athlete overcome fears and mental blocks while gaining unstoppable confidence? Discover the transformative power of PerformHappy now. If your athlete is struggling or feeling left behind, it's time for a change. Are you ready? For more info and to sign up: PerformHappy.com

There is nothing more painful than watching your athlete lose their love for the sport they once adored. The stomach aches before practice, the tears in the car, the fear that never used to be there. It breaks your heart.

In this week’s episode of the PerformHappy Podcast, I’m talking about toxic training environments. These are gyms where kids feel scared, anxious, or unsafe. Places where yelling and shaming are mistaken for motivation.

Every week, I talk to athletes who believe this is just the way it is. But it does not have to be. You cannot build confidence when you feel emotionally unsafe.

So how do you know when a gym crossed the line? It might look like being told to perform while injured. It might look like you are being ignored because you are not the favorite. Or it might feel like being afraid to speak up because you fear retaliation. These are not tough coaching moments. They are red flags.

If your athlete dreads practicing or feels small and scared, please listen. Those feelings matter. Healthy gyms exist. Places where kids feel safe, supported, and excited to train. Visit, ask questions, and trust your gut.

I have seen athletes leave toxic gyms, find coaches who care, and within two weeks they are doing all their skills again. It is really incredible what happens when a child feels nurtured instead of criticized.

If this sounds familiar, know that you are not alone. You can reach out to me anytime if you need to talk it through. Together, we can create a culture in youth sports where kids are built up, not torn down.

In this episode, I talked about:

✅How to spot red flags in a training environment
✅Why tough coaching can cross into emotional abuse
✅What a healthy, nurturing gym really looks like

“It’s really incredible what happens if you’re being nurtured in your training environment.” – Rebecca Smith

Learn exactly what to say and do to guide your athlete through a mental block with my new book "Parenting Through Mental Blocks" Order your copy today: https://a.co/d/g990Bur

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complete_performance/

Join my FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/completeperformancecoaching/

Check out my website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

Write to me! Email: [email protected]

Ready to help your athlete overcome fears and mental blocks while gaining unstoppable confidence? Discover the transformative power of PerformHappy now. If your athlete is struggling or feeling left behind, it's time for a change. Are you ready? For more info and to sign up: PerformHappy.com

If you have ever experienced the twisties, you know how overwhelming they can be. The twisties are a type of mental block that make even familiar skills feel impossible. One day everything flows, and the next your body and brain no longer feel in sync. It can be confusing, frustrating, and lonely.

That is why this week’s episode of the PerformHappy Podcast is so special. I talk with Sarah and her mom Jennifer, who both share their journey of working through the twisties together. Sarah opens up about what it was like to face this mental block head on and the steps that helped her come out the other side more confident than ever. Jennifer shares her honest perspective as a parent supporting her daughter through the ups and downs, offering thoughtful insight that so many parents will relate to.

Sarah is now preparing for an incredible Level 10 season, and her story is full of real, practical steps that made a difference for her. Jennifer’s words bring a parent’s heart and wisdom to the conversation, showing what support can look like during a tough season.

In this episode, you will hear

• How Sarah faced the twisties and worked through her mental block
 • The steps that helped her rebuild trust and confidence
 • The mental skills she gained along the way
 • Jennifer’s honest perspective on supporting her daughter through the process

"Let’s scour the planet and see if we can find the magic fix." - Coach Rebecca

Learn exactly what to say and do to guide your athlete through a mental block with my new book "Parenting Through Mental Blocks" Order your copy today: https://a.co/d/g990Bur

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complete_performance/

Join my FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/completeperformancecoaching/

Check out my website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

Write to me! Email: [email protected]

Ready to help your athlete overcome fears and mental blocks while gaining unstoppable confidence? Discover the transformative power of PerformHappy now. If your athlete is struggling or feeling left behind, it's time for a change. Are you ready? For more info and to sign up: PerformHappy.com

Ever noticed your brilliant, sensitive gymnast getting stuck in their own head? You’re not alone. As a sports psychology expert, I’ve seen countless smart kids struggle with mental blocks, and today I want to share some hope and practical advice. What Makes Smart Kids Different in Sports Intelligent athletes often have some common traits:

• They’re incredibly talented.
• They move quickly through skill levels.
• They love their sport deeply.
• They’re sensitive and cautious.
• They set incredibly high standards for themselves.

Sound familiar? These qualities are actually superpowers when understood correctly. The Science Behind Smart Kids and Anxiety Research shows that intelligent kids have more active imaginations. This means they’re amazing at problem solving but also incredible at imagining potential problems. Their brains are wired to detect threats quickly, which kept our ancestors safe but can create mental roadblocks in sports. Turning Overthinking into a Strength Here’s the good news: overthinking can become your child’s greatest asset. By teaching them to:

• Question their negative thoughts
• Use positive imagery
• Break skills into manageable steps
• Track their own progress

You can help transform anxiety into confidence. Quick Tips for Coaches and Sports Parents

• Listen to their fears without dismissing them.
• Help them collect data about their performance.
• Encourage growth mindset thinking.
• Celebrate small victories.

Remember, a mental block isn’t a weakness. It is an opportunity for incredible growth.

Learn exactly what to say and do to guide your athlete through a mental block with my new book "Parenting Through Mental Blocks" Order your copy today: https://a.co/d/g990Bur

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complete_performance/

Join my FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/completeperformancecoaching/

Check out my website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

Write to me! Email: [email protected]

Ready to help your athlete overcome fears and mental blocks while gaining unstoppable confidence? Discover the transformative power of PerformHappy now. If your athlete is struggling or feeling left behind, it's time for a change. Are you ready? For more info and to sign up: PerformHappy.com

There is nothing more painful than hearing words that cut into your confidence. Maybe someone told you that you will never get that skill, or that you are not good enough, or that you are holding the team back. Even if you try to ignore it, those comments can sit in your mind and make you question yourself again and again.

In this week’s episode of the PerformHappy Podcast, I want to help you and your gymnast handle those moments. Bullies can show up as teammates, as coaches, or even as the little voice inside your own head. And sometimes the inner bully is the hardest one to deal with because you cannot walk away from your own thoughts.

Here is the good news. You do not have to let those voices decide who you are or what you are capable of. Professor Jaime Hamilton, a communication expert, shared a strategy that I love. Instead of arguing with a bully, you interrupt them with something completely unexpected. Imagine a teammate makes a mean comment and instead of shrinking or snapping back, you calmly say “pineapple pancakes” or “sparkly cinnamon roll” and then walk away. The bully is left with nothing to feed on, and the power of their words disappears.

You can use this same trick with your inner bully. When that voice starts saying “I always mess up” or “I will never be good at this,” stop it in its tracks. Say your silly phrase out loud or in your head. Give yourself a little smile. Then replace the negative thought with something kinder like “I am learning” or “I am getting stronger every day.” This small shift makes a big difference because it trains your brain to stop beating you up and start lifting you up.

Here is the truth. Confidence does not grow from criticism. It grows when you respond with kindness, when you choose not to give power to negative voices, and when you practice believing in yourself a little more each day.

In this episode, I share:

• The way hurtful words can crush confidence
• Why the inner bully can be louder than anyone else
• How Professor Jaime Hamilton’s technique interrupts bullying
• How you can reset negative thoughts and build yourself back up

“If someone talked to you the way you talk to yourself, would they be your friend?” – Rebecca Smith

Learn exactly what to say and do to guide your athlete through a mental block with my new book "Parenting Through Mental Blocks" Order your copy today: https://a.co/d/g990Bur

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complete_performance/

Join my FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/completeperformancecoaching/

Check out my website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

Write to me! Email: [email protected]

Ready to help your athlete overcome fears and mental blocks while gaining unstoppable confidence? Discover the transformative power of PerformHappy now. If your athlete is struggling or feeling left behind, it's time for a change. Are you ready? For more info and to sign up: PerformHappy.com

There is nothing more frustrating than watching your athlete finally get a skill… only to lose it the very next day. One step forward, two steps back. Skills appear, then disappear, leaving athletes, parents, and coaches in a cycle of confusion and discouragement.

In this week’s episode of the PerformHappy Podcast, I’m diving into what I call “Yo-Yo Confidence” — that frustrating cycle of gaining and losing skills — and the hidden habits that actually make mental blocks worse.

As a gymnast, I lived this cycle myself. I was the one crying on the beam, terrified of going backwards, desperate to “just go.” That is why I am passionate about giving hope to the athletes who feel stuck and to the parents and coaches who want to help them.

Through years of coaching and mental performance training, I’ve identified eight common patterns that keep athletes trapped in their mental blocks. These patterns include everything from trying endless “tricks” to force yourself to go, to comparing yourself to fearless teammates, to refusing to take a step back when your brain clearly isn’t ready.

Here’s the truth: forcing, criticizing, or rushing never builds lasting confidence. In fact, it does the opposite. Confidence grows when athletes learn to listen to their brain, take smart steps back, and celebrate progress, no matter how small.

If your athlete is losing skills as quickly as they gain them, this episode will help you break the cycle. Together, we’ll reframe mental blocks as information — not failure — and show you how to create an environment where consistency and confidence can take root.

In this episode, Coach Rebecca talks about:

• The eight hidden habits that keep athletes stuck in mental blocks
• Why forcing yourself to “just go” backfires
• The danger of expecting to start where you left off yesterday
• Why celebrating small wins is the key to lasting confidence

“The worst thing you can do for a mental block is force it. The fastest way through is listening to your brain, starting where you are, and building trust one step at a time.” – Rebecca Smith

Learn exactly what to say and do to guide your athlete through a mental block with my new book "Parenting Through Mental Blocks" Order your copy today: https://a.co/d/g990Bur

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complete_performance/

Join my FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/completeperformancecoaching/

Check out my website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

Write to me! Email: [email protected]

Ready to help your athlete overcome fears and mental blocks while gaining unstoppable confidence? Discover the transformative power of PerformHappy now. If your athlete is struggling or feeling left behind, it's time for a change. Are you ready? For more info and to sign up: PerformHappy.com

There is nothing more frustrating than setting a goal, working hard for it, and then feeling like you are getting nowhere. You show up, put in the effort, and instead of building confidence, you leave practice more discouraged than when you started.

In this week’s episode of the PerformHappy Podcast, I’m breaking down why so many athletes get stuck in this cycle and how to set goals that actually move you forward. Instead of focusing on what is “wrong” or what you “can’t do,” I’ll show you how to reframe your goals so that they build confidence, not fear.

At a recent Confident Gymnast Clinic, I worked with a gymnast who swore her switch leaps were terrible. She wanted to “fix” them because they were “bad.” After a few reframes, her goal shifted to simply getting better at her switch leap. That change in language, paired with a focus on small, specific improvements, completely transformed her progress. Within ten turns, she went from discouraged to confident on high beam.

This is the power of focusing on what you can do instead of what you cannot. Progress does not come from criticizing yourself, it comes from celebrating small wins, stacking them over time, and building a foundation of trust in yourself.

If your athlete is stuck in a cycle of frustration, or if you as a parent or coach are unsure how to help them move forward, this episode will give you the tools to change the way you set and support goals.

In this episode, Coach Rebecca talks about:

• The trap of negative goal setting.
•  Why progress starts with point A, not perfection.
•  Simple shifts athletes, parents, and coaches can make today.
•  How celebrating small wins builds lasting confidence.

“Instead of focusing on what you cannot do, focus on what you can do, and then ask yourself, what is one thing I can do right now to make it better?” – Rebecca Smith

Learn exactly what to say and do to guide your athlete through a mental block with my new book "Parenting Through Mental Blocks" Order your copy today: https://a.co/d/g990Bur

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complete_performance/

Join my FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/completeperformancecoaching/

Check out my website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

Write to me! Email: [email protected]

Ready to help your athlete overcome fears and mental blocks while gaining unstoppable confidence? Discover the transformative power of PerformHappy now. If your athlete is struggling or feeling left behind, it's time for a change. Are you ready? For more info and to sign up: PerformHappy.com

This week on the PerformHappy Podcast, I had the privilege of chatting with international elite gymnast Céleste Mordenti, the first gymnast from Luxembourg to ever win a FIG World Cup medal.

Céleste’s journey hasn’t been an easy one. As a young gymnast, she rose quickly through the ranks, representing Luxembourg at European and World Championships. But behind the medals and the spotlight, she battled the same struggles so many gymnasts face — fear, mental blocks, and the pressure to be perfect. At one point, she couldn’t even bring herself to swing giants, a skill she’d done for years.

In this episode, Céleste opens up about what it really takes to build lasting confidence. She shares how changing environments, learning to step back, and redefining progress helped her shift from panic and frustration to a place of trust in herself and joy in her sport again.

What makes her story so powerful is that she proves confidence isn’t something you’re born with — it’s something you can build, no matter how stuck or scared you feel.

Whether you’re a gymnast, parent, or coach, you’ll find inspiration and practical takeaways in Céleste’s story — from normalizing fear to celebrating small steps, and ultimately learning that setbacks are just part of the path to success.

In this episode, Coach Rebecca and Céleste talk about:

• Competing on the international stage as a teen
• What it feels like to get stuck in the cycle of fear and mental blocks
• How supportive coaching can completely shift an athlete’s confidence
• Why taking a step back is actually the fastest way forward

"Taking a step back isn’t leaving the path to success — it is the path to success." – Céleste Mordenti

Follow Céleste on Instagram: @celestemordenti

Learn exactly what to say and do to guide your athlete through a mental block with my new book "Parenting Through Mental Blocks" Order your copy today: https://a.co/d/g990Bur

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complete_performance/

Join my FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/completeperformancecoaching/

Check out my website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

Write to me! Email: [email protected]

Ready to help your athlete overcome fears and mental blocks while gaining unstoppable confidence? Discover the transformative power of PerformHappy now. If your athlete is struggling or feeling left behind, it's time for a change. Are you ready? For more info and to sign up: PerformHappy.com

This week on the PerformHappy Podcast, I’m talking with Utah gymnast Avery Neff — a rising star whose journey proves that resilience, mindset, and belief in yourself can take you further than raw talent ever could.

Avery wasn’t always the clean, confident athlete you see competing on the NCAA stage today. She started as a “floppy” gymnast, throwing skills with no fear but little form. With the help of her coaches, her relentless drive to prove herself, and a mindset shaped by her fearless family, she turned those early struggles into the foundation of a championship career.

In this episode, Avery shares how she developed her growth mindset, how she pushed through one of the toughest moments of her career — spraining both ankles her freshman year — and how she worked her way back when everyone thought her season was over. She also opens up about the importance of setting big goals, visualizing success, and finding joy in the process, even when fear or setbacks creep in.

Whether you’re an athlete learning to push through fear, a parent supporting a child through setbacks, or a coach looking to inspire your athletes, you’ll walk away from this episode with powerful lessons on confidence, perseverance, and chasing big dreams.

In this episode, Avery and Coach Rebecca talk about:

• Why resilience matters more than natural talent
• The mindset that helped her recover from two sprained ankles in record time
• Why believing in yourself (and saying your goals out loud) changes everything
• How gymnastics taught her life lessons that will carry far beyond the gym

"If you’re not saying it, somebody else is — and somebody else is going to get it before you do." – Avery Neff

Learn exactly what to say and do to guide your athlete through a mental block with my new book "Parenting Through Mental Blocks" Order your copy today: https://a.co/d/g990Bur

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complete_performance/

Join my FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/completeperformancecoaching/

Check out my website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

Write to me! Email: [email protected]

Ready to help your athlete overcome fears and mental blocks while gaining unstoppable confidence? Discover the transformative power of PerformHappy now. If your athlete is struggling or feeling left behind, it's time for a change. Are you ready? For more info and to sign up: PerformHappy.com

This week on the PerformHappy Podcast, I’m talking to parents who are navigating one of the hardest parts of raising athletes: watching your kids struggle with disappointment, pressure, and even toxic coaching environments.

As parents, our instinct is to protect our kids from heartbreak and setbacks. But what if the very challenges we want to shield them from are the ones that help them build resilience for life? Using clinical psychologist Dr. Becky Kennedy’s “bench” analogy, I share how letting kids sit with their disappointment — instead of rushing to fix it — prepares them for the bigger benches of adulthood, from heartbreak to career setbacks.

I also dive into an important and difficult topic: what to do if your child’s coach crosses the line into emotional abuse. I share guidance on how to recognize red flags, when to approach a coach, and when to go directly to gym owners or SafeSport.

Whether you’re supporting your child through a tough season, or wondering how to handle an unsafe coaching environment, this episode will give you tools to respond with calm, connection, and courage.

In this episode, Coach Rebecca talks about:

• Dr. Becky Kennedy’s “bench” analogy for building resilience
• How disappointment today builds confidence for tomorrow
• Recognizing the signs of emotionally abusive coaching
• When to have a conversation, how to approach it, and when it’s time to leave

“Your challenge as a parent is not to take your child’s resilience from them by trying to move them off the hard bench. Sit with them on that bench, let them have their feelings, and trust that they’re building the strength they’ll need for life.” – Coach Rebecca

Learn exactly what to say and do to guide your athlete through a mental block with my new book "Parenting Through Mental Blocks" Order your copy today: https://a.co/d/g990Bur

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complete_performance/

Join my FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/completeperformancecoaching/

Check out my website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

Write to me! Email: [email protected]

Ready to help your athlete overcome fears and mental blocks while gaining unstoppable confidence? Discover the transformative power of PerformHappy now. If your athlete is struggling or feeling left behind, it's time for a change. Are you ready? For more info and to sign up: PerformHappy.com