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

Interested in attending the Clutch Mentality Bootcamp but have some questions? This (10 min) series can help you decide!

Ready to join? Head to https://www.mentalsweetspot.com/clutchmentality

Imagine being able to screen your girls before practice to get a true idea of what you're going to get out of them that day?

Instead of HOPING you notice the signs. Hoping you don't miss one player among 12-30 players. All so you can get the most out of your limited time with them.

And what if that process only took a couple minutes using their phones? Oh and THEN what if each player was immediately given a suggested exercise to boost their mental & emotional state for THIS practice.

That's what Rewire does! Listen in to hear how their app is revolutionizing how we manage our emotional & mental stress :)

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Learn more at https://rewirefitness.app/

Ever look at your team mid-practice (or mid GAME) and think... Are they ALIVE?

There are so many things that drain their energy, then before you know it the energy is gone and you might as well call it a day. And if we're honest, we have those days too! Today's guest not only speaks to this topic - he EXUDES energy and positivity!

No joke - he had me standing up in Superwoman pose. You ready to get some fantastic nuggets from a world class athlete, dad, and motivational speaker? Listen in!

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>> David Lindsay's site

>> Mental Sweet Spot Resources