What do former Division 1 players really want younger athletes to know?

In this episode, we’re passing the mic to the ones who’ve lived it — the workouts, the visits, the pressure, and the growth that comes with being a college athlete.

They share what they wish they knew during the recruiting process, including:

– What to actually pay attention to on visits

– The importance of choosing the school for the school

– Why failure isn’t the enemy — it’s the teacher

– How to lead your process without losing yourself

– The mindset that helped them thrive beyond softball

This episode is packed with real advice, big perspective shifts, and the kind of honesty your daughter needs to hear — whether she’s just starting out or deep in the recruiting journey.

Listen now. Then send it to your favorite softball player. This one’s for her.

We didn’t start this podcast to talk about recruiting.

We started it to talk about the real work — the leadership, mindset, and self-trust it takes to show up when the pressure’s on.

But recruiting kept coming up.

And we realized…

It’s not a separate conversation.

It’s the same conversation.

Because what gets you recruited?

Isn’t exposure.

It’s identity.

In this episode, we’re sharing:

– Why we added a recruiting angle to our work

– What families miss when they chase visibility instead of readiness

– Alicia’s stories of athletes who earned DI scholarships through leadership

– Mel’s personal journey with the mental game that changed everything

This isn’t about collecting offers.

It’s about becoming the kind of player, leader, and human who’s ready when the offer comes.

🎧 Listen now.

Then share it with the softball parent who’s ready to lead with more than just a schedule of camps.

Most parents think they’re helping.

But too often, they’re creating pressure, confusion, and chaos — and it’s costing their daughter opportunities.

In this real-talk episode, Mel (current college coach) breaks down what’s really going through a coach’s mind when they watch players... and their parents.

👉 What sideline behavior sends red flags

👉 The choices that actually support your daughter’s game

👉 How to become an asset in the process — not a reason coaches walk away

If your daughter has big college dreams, this episode is a must-listen.

🧠 Join the Recruiting Revolution Bootcamp

The mindset + leadership training that makes families more coachable — and athletes more recruitable.

90 minutes. 3 Steps to a better way.

www.mentalsweetspot.com/recruitingbootcamp

Want to help her get recruited to her dream school?

Get her Ready for Offers

The complete strategy + mental game training that gives her the edge coaches can’t ignore.

www.mentalsweetspot.com/readyforoffers

She crushes it in practice.

Lights it up at local games.

But the moment a college coach pulls out a radar gun or sits behind the backstop?

It’s like she forgets how to swing.

In this episode, we’re breaking down exactly why that happens — and what to do about it.

You’ll learn:

– The real reason athletes “choke” when it matters

– What not to say in those moments

– How parents can reduce pressure instead of add to it

– Our #1 tool to help players recover in real time

Because this isn’t about being mentally weak.

It’s about not having the tools — yet.

🎯 If your daughter needs those tools, she’ll get them inside Ready for Offers.

🧠 And if you want to lead her through this process with calm, clarity, and confidence — the Recruiting Bootcamp was built for you.

🎧 Listen now.

This might be the episode that changes everything.

The recruiting world can feel like total chaos — and too often, parents are left guessing:

Are we doing enough? Are we doing it right?

In this episode, we cut through the noise and get real about what actually moves the needle.

You’ll hear:

✅ The most common traps families fall into (and how to avoid them)

✅ What confident, coachable athletes actually do differently

✅ How parents can model leadership — even when they feel unsure themselves

✅ Why clarity, composure, and presence matter more than a perfect profile

This isn’t just theory. It’s strategy from the people who’ve helped hundreds of athletes get recruited — and thrive once they do.

Want more like this - and more personalized? Join a bootcamp! https://www.mentalsweetspot.com/recruitingbootcamp

Wondering what you can do to help her in this recruiting journey?

Worried you won't have the answers?

Stressed about her finding the right fit?

We've got you.

https://www.mentalsweetspot.com/recruitingbootcamp

Everyone talks about exposure. But if that were the secret, every player with a highlight reel would be signing letters of intent.

In Part 3 of our Exposure to Offers series, we reveal the real game-changer: self-leadership.

Because coaches aren’t just watching your stats — they’re watching how you carry yourself.

In this episode, we break down:

What self-leadership actually looks like in athletes

How it impacts offers (even without direct feedback from coaches)

The small, incremental actions that make you unforgettable

If you want to stand out — not just get seen — this is the episode to lock in.

Want to make some REAL progress in recruiting? Get her Ready for Offers at https://www.mentalsweetspot.com/readyforoffers

Here’s the truth: coaches don’t recruit highlight reels — they recruit how she carries herself when things get hard.

In this episode of Signed & Ready, Coach Mel Rushing and Coach Alicia Smith break down the invisible side of recruiting — the part stats can’t show and exposure can’t guarantee.

Because what really gets a player noticed isn’t just talent.

It’s presence.

It’s leadership.

It’s the ability to stay composed, confident, and coachable under pressure.

Whether your athlete is just starting to email coaches or already attending camps, this episode will help her understand what college recruiters are really evaluating every time she steps on the field.

You’ll Learn

• What “presence” actually means (and how coaches define it).
• The body language habits that make or break first impressions.
• How to stand out in camps and tournaments — even when she’s not the loudest or flashiest.
• Why leadership is the deciding factor between being seen and being signed.

Key Takeaway

“Highlight reels get you noticed, but we recruit resilience & grit.”

Coaches recruit players they trust to compete, lead, and elevate the team — and that starts with how she shows up when it matters most.

Listen If Your Athlete...

💥 Feels pressure to be perfect in front of coaches

💥 Struggles to bounce back after mistakes

💥 Wants to stand out but isn’t sure how

💥 Is tired of being overlooked despite her talent

Next Step: Give Her the Edge Coaches Actually Recruit

If your daughter has the talent but isn’t getting traction in recruiting, it’s not because she’s not good enough — it’s because she’s missing the mental edge.

That’s why we created Ready for Offers — a self-paced, on-demand program that helps athletes build the presence, composure, and leadership that turn exposure into real offers.

👉 Get her Ready for Offers today: mentalsweetspot.com/readyforoffers

Because exposure gets her seen — but leadership gets her signed.

Connect with Us

🎧 Subscribe to Signed & Ready for weekly episodes on mindset, leadership, and recruiting for softball players and parents.

💻 Explore programs: mentalsweetspot.com

Thousands of softball players spend time, money, and energy trying to get seen — but exposure alone doesn’t get offers. In this episode, we break down why the “spray-and-pray” approach to recruiting is leaving talented athletes stressed, stuck, and overlooked.

You’ll learn:

• Why being seen ≠ getting signed
• What coaches are actually looking for (beyond your stat line)
• The shift that reduces pressure and puts players back in control

Whether you're early in the process or already talking to coaches, this episode gives you the mindset advantage that makes recruiters pay attention.

🧠 Ready to go deeper? Check out our Ready for Offers program → mentalsweetspot.com/readyforoffers

If you're a softball parent, coach or athlete navigating the college recruiting process, you're in the right place.

Welcome to Signed & Ready — the podcast where we coach the mental game of recruiting so athletes can lead themselves, play with confidence, and finally get seen for what they’re really capable of.

In this trailer episode, host Alicia Smith (head coach, recruiting mentor, and mental performance coach) shares the why behind the podcast, the real edge college coaches are looking for, and how to break free from the pressure, panic, and chaos of the traditional recruiting grind.

🎯 What you'll learn in this episode:

• Why the mental game matters more than ever
• What it means to find your athlete’s “mental sweet spot”
• How to help your daughter show up calm, confident, and college-ready
• What to expect from future episodes (Q&As, coaching insights, real stories)

Whether you're chasing a scholarship or just want your daughter to play with pride, presence, and purpose — Signed & Ready will guide you every step of the way.

👉 Subscribe now and start building the mindset that gets her signed — and makes her unstoppable.

Learn more at https://www.mentalsweetspot.com

Keywords: softball recruiting, college softball, mental performance, athlete mindset, mental game, sports parenting, softball scholarships, college recruiting tips, recruiting podcast, softball coach