It's a new season! In this episode, Coach D reminds us about the old habits and routines that come once the newness and excitement wear off. One of those old habits, are the voices of doubt, fear and shame.

"You can't do that."

"You'll never be good enough."

"You knew this wasn't going to work."

Through the relatable story of her daughter learning to ride a bike, Coach D reminds us of the voice we should really be listening to.

For a full boost of confidence, be sure to listen to the full episode.

Links from this episode:

For screen saver affirmations, and more helpful content: sheplaysnow.com/for-athletes

Find Confidence resources & more from Coach D:

sheplaysnow.com

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Visualization is a component of sports performance a lot of coaches and experts talk about today, but how do you really do it?

In this episode, Coach D will take you through a very simple yet highly effective activity that will help you, and your team, prepare for competition. All you need is a pen and paper.

With just a simple question, you'll be more focused, composed, and ready to compete.

We'd love to hear how this activity works for you. Leave a comment or connect with us at our website, sheplaysnow.com.

Quotes from this episode:

"The body will do what the mind has made up." -Coach D

"Picture yourself in your mind's eye as having already achieved this goal. See yourself doing the things you'll be doing when you've reached your goal." Earl Nightingale

This episode concludes Season 1 of the Standing O Podcast with Coach D. Looking forward to sharing more stories and conversations to help you win your confidence next season.

Until then, remember, you are worth the ovation!

Once, there was a girl who thought she had to be perfect. Perfect like her brothers. Perfect like the pros she's watched on YouTube. If there's one thing this girl loves, it's being on the golf course with her family. She watches them play. She studies. But she's not ready to join them. Her swing isn't perfect yet.   

The thing is, she has never taken a swing.   

In this episode, you'll meet May. May is paralyzed by perfection. Ever been there?  

Hear how her family encourages May to overcome her perfectionism and learn to take the swing.   

"May's Perfect Swing" is written by Coach D and read by Elizabeth McBryde.  

Special Bonus: Share this story with your team and start a conversation on perfectionism and courage.   

Coach D has put together some great discussion questions to go along with this episode.  Just head to Stories with Coach D

If you liked this story, you'll enjoy our other story time episodes:

Ep. 5 Brooklynn's Shot

Ep. 14 Melody the MVP  

Leave a comment and let us know what other topics you'd like to hear more stories and conversations.     

This episode is produced by Scott Lynn

Dreams don't always come true.   

Well, at least not without a lot of work, sweat and heartbreak.   

In the 2021, Iowa high school softball season, Fort Dodge Head Coach Andi Adams, sure made winning look easy. They not only dominated all season long, but they took home the State Championship Trophy on their home turf.    But, that's not all there is to this story. Not even close.   

Tune in to hear Coach Adams talk about;

Whether you are a coach, a mom, or an 8 year old softball player wanting to play for Coach Adams some day, this is the episode for you!

Do you remember when you started playing? The first time you put on a jersey. Or laced up your shoes. Or performed in front of a crowd. Can you remember what that was like? Do you remember how you felt?    Coach D recreates her very first race for us.    As you listen to the story, let it search your memory for your first.  -How old were you? -What were you doing? -Who was with you? -How did you feel?   Too often we let the 'have tos' of sport and profession take over our 'why dos'.    Let today be a day where you remember your why!   We'd love to hear your story. Share it with us @sheplaysnow on instagram and twitter or email it to us at [email protected]

An athlete's life is all about waiting. Waiting for the championship game. Waiting to see your time drop. Waiting for the coach to call your name. 

The hard part as the athlete, is learning how to capitalize on that waiting time. 

Coach D tells the story of one of her former athletes that demonstrates the surprises that can come from waiting well. 

Other key take aways from this episode:

-How to work through a slump

-Importance of visualizing big goals

-Why focus should be on the day to day

Know a friend who needs a confidence boost? Share this episode!

Follow Coach D and She Plays on instagram @sheplaysnow.com

Ever thought you had to be thinner to be faster? Ever tried to change your body to match some ideal? Ever worried how the scale would define you?

If you answered yes, this conversation is for you. Coach D sits down with her friend, Annie Brees. Even while they attended the same high school and had the same circle of friends, each struggled with how they looked and what their body said about them. It only took 20 years for them to talk to each other about it!

Annie Brees is the founder of Balance 365, a program and platform equipping women to live a more balanced life rather than follow a joyless diet. Through Annie's own struggles with body issues, experiences as an athlete and her life beyond it, she is own a mission to change how women embrace their own bodies.

This episode dives into:

-situational confidence

-coping strategies for insecure days

-strength training

-appreciating difference in each other's bodies

No more struggling in silence or shame. Join in our conversation and reflect on how far you've come in embracing your own body's strengths.

Find Annie on socials:

@annie.brees

@balance365life

Once, there was a girl who wanted to win. If there's one thing you should know about this girl, it's that; she is the best. The GOAT. The MVP. All her life, this girl had her eyes on the prize. And now, she has the proof. Sitting on a shelf, collecting dust.

In this episode, you'll hear a story about Melody. It is a cautionary tale. You will ponder the question, "Why do I play?"

"Melody the MVP" is written by Coach D and read by the talented Elizabeth McBryde.

Special Bonus: Share this story with your team and start a conversation on identity and purpose beyond achievement.

Coach D has put together some great discussion questions to go along with this episode.

Just head to Stories With Coach D

This episode is produced by Scott Lynn

When did we start thinking sports should be easy? When did we start wanting our journey to be free of hurdles? When did we start expecting our goals to be achieved in record time?

It's supposed to be hard.

Coach D not only encourages you to embrace the hard things, she shares how confidence grows through adversity.

In this episode, you'll learn

-the difference between complacency and confidence

-the importance of adversity for longevity

-how to get out of the comfort zone and into the stretch zone where real growth happens.

Quotes from this episode:

"Self confidence doesn't grow in the easy things. That's complacency." Coach D

"Confidence can constantly grow when you are constantly growing." Coach D

"We don't find confidence in perfect things. We find confidence in trying new things." Coach D

Let Coach D know the new, hard thing you're stretching for by leaving a review.

For more confidence tips and encouragement, find Coach D and She Plays on Instagram @sheplaysnow

Coach D continues her conversation with guest Beth Shelton. As the Chief Executive Officer of a large organization, Beth gets real on leadership, personal goals and her work with the Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa.

Key takeaways from this episode:

-The 3 essential areas every leader must work on

-Moving from transactional outcomes to transformational moments

-Learning to pivot from hardships  

Most importantly, Coach D and Beth discuss the alarming gap in self confidence and girls and the one thing you can do to improve it.   

This episode will challenge you to grow personally so you can impact professionally.   

Connect with Beth Shelton:

Twitter

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