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 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 

Register for the Summer Strong Mental Game Bootcamp! We kick-off June 24th (registration closes June 19th). The earlier you register, the better price you get! https://elitecompetitor.com/summer-strong-bootcamp/

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 for the Summer Strong Mental Game Bootcamp! We kick-off June 24th (registration closes June 19th). The earlier you register, the better price you get! https://elitecompetitor.com/summer-strong-bootcamp/

Replay of our live Q&A today where I also interviewed EMG parents!

We covered:
-Why these parents joined EMG in the first place (everything from experiencing nerves before games, new sports teams, and lacking confidence)

-Biggest wins they've noticed since joining

-Favorite parts of the program (ease of use, coach on call texting, live calls, & simple tools!)

-How to bring up the "mental game" without causing her to shut down

The What to Say Challenge Discount on EMG expires today at 11pm ET!
Grab 50% off the program + bonuses here

We just wrapped up an incredible challenge week with you all!! Here are some next steps moving forward:

-The What to Say Challenge discount on EMG expires on Monday! Grab 50% off the program + bonuses using this link.

-Chatting with your daughter about EMG? Use this conversation guide to help!

-Join us Monday at 1pm ET (12pm CT / 10am PT) for our LIVE Q&A + Tips from successful sports moms! Add the event to your calendar here

-The challenge episodes will come down on Tuesday, May 20th, so make sure to listen before then! You can also grab lifetime access to the replays to listen whenever you want here.

-If you didn't register for the challenge, but want the blueprint & other bonuses we included, register here.

Join the Elite Mental Game with our What to Say Challenge pricing discount + bonuses, good until Monday, May 19th!

https://elitecompetitor.com/emgspecial

====

Tired of watching your child struggle with self-doubt and underperform on the field? It’s time to unlock their true potential with the Elite Mental Game program.

In this episode, we get into the world of youth sports and explore the often-overlooked aspect of mental training. Discover how a strong mental game can transform your child’s performance and boost their confidence!

• The Importance of Mental Training. It’s crucial for athletes to develop mental skills, such as resilience, focus, and self-belief.
• The Role of The Parent. Parents play a significant role in shaping their child’s mindset.
• The “Downward Spiral”. Understanding how negative thoughts and emotions can lead to poor performance.
• The Power of A “Snapback Routine”. A technique to quickly recover from mistakes and regain composure.
• The Impact of Self-Talk. Negative self-talk can limit an athlete’s potential, while positive self-talk can boost confidence.
• The Importance of Mindset Shifts. Learning to recognize and reframe negative thoughts.
• The Elite Mental Game Program. Discover the secrets behind this transformative program and how it can benefit your child.
• Practical Tips. Implement actionable strategies to help your child overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

Join the Elite Mental Game with our What to Say Challenge pricing discount + bonuses, good until Monday, May 19th!

https://elitecompetitor.com/emgspecial

Can you imagine sitting in the stands, watching your daughter play – only for her to make one mistake, and suddenly, her entire game falls apart? Her shoulders slump, her confidence crumbles, and you can see the frustration burning in her eyes. Heartbreaking, right?

Been there. So. Many. Times.

As a sports mom who's coached hundreds of athletes, I know exactly how heartbreaking it is to watch talented kids doubt themselves. That's why I'm pulling back the curtain on The Elite Mental Game – our game-changing mental training program that's helping girl athletes unlock their true potential.

What You'll Learn:

• The 3 biggest struggles sports parents are facing right now.
• How mental training goes WAY beyond just sports performance.
• Why confidence is the secret sauce to your daughter's success.
• What's included in our step-by-step mental game training system.
• How we're offering a MASSIVE 50% discount (stay tuned!).

Want the inside scoop on transforming your athlete's mindset? Hit play on the full episode RIGHT NOW and discover how we're helping girls build confidence that lasts a lifetime!

Your daughter's mental game starts here. Don't miss out!

Next Steps:

Register for the What to Say Challenge happening May 13-16th! Get reminders to your inbox when episodes drop, plus fun prizes and giveaways all week!

Register for free: https://elitecompetitor.com/say

Imagine this: Your daughter just finished her game. Emotions are high, tension is thick, and you're walking a conversational tightrope. One wrong word could crush her spirit or push her away. Sound familiar?

The car ride home doesn't have to be a minefield of awkward conversations and crushed spirits. Today, I'm pulling back the curtain on EXACTLY how to support your young athlete during and after competition – without saying the wrong thing or accidentally destroying her confidence.

What You'll Learn in this Episode: 

• How to support your daughter DURING competition without being THAT embarrassing parent.
• The game-changing "LOVE" framework for post-game conversations.
• Exactly what to say (and what to AVOID) after a tough match.
• Why your presence matters MORE than your words.
• Simple techniques to help your athlete process performance without losing confidence.

BONUS: We're revealing how to get a FREE spot in the Elite Mental Game program!

Want the full mental game breakthrough?Head to https://elitecompetitor.com/say and join the challenge NOW!

See you in the next episode, sports parents!

Next Steps:

Register for the What to Say Challenge happening May 13-16th! Get reminders to your inbox when episodes drop, plus fun prizes and giveaways all week!

Register for free: https://elitecompetitor.com/say

Day 2 of the What to Say Challenge!
Pre-game Pep Talks that WORK!

Here’s what we cover:

• How your role as a parent during the pre-game phase directly shapes your athlete’s mindset.
• The most effective ways to encourage your child while keeping her calm and focused.
• Why your calm presence matters more than finding the perfect words.
• Quick, encouraging phrases to keep the focus on the process – not the outcome.
• Real insights from athletes on what works and what doesn’t before a competition.

📌 Today's challenge: What pre-game phrase will you switch up?

What all the challenge bonuses, giveaways, and fun? Make sure you register! https://elitecompetitor.com/say

Day 1 of the What to Say Challenge!
Day to Day Confidence Boosters

What's covered in this episode:

• Understanding the true meaning of confidence.
• Why focusing on achievements can damage confidence.
• How to recognize and praise what's in her control.
• The importance of highlighting her positive innate qualities.
• Practical scripts for day-to-day confidence building.
• Why her sport is what she does, not who she is.

Remember: Your daughter’s sport is something she DOES, not who she IS.

📌 Today’s Challenge: Identify and acknowledge one of your daughter’s Positive Innate Qualities

Want the full details and bonus resources? Register for the challenge at https://elitecompetitor.com/say

Coming Tomorrow: Day 2 – Pre-Game Pep Talks That Actually Work