Episode #4 of the BTB Project, there's a topic that's come up in my house recently around being perfect. If you’re wondering whether you are a perfectionist, there’s a good chance you are—at least partially is that a good trait or a bad trait? There's also a good chance you have some investment in being a perfectionist because of the positive connotations of the word "perfect."

Perfectionists are a lot like high achievers but with some key differences. Today's episode I will discuss the differences, revealing signs of a perfectionist — signs that you may be able to spot in yourself or people you know to help you push toward your goals. 

Topics discussed:

All-or-Nothing Thinking

Being Highly Critical

Feeling Pushed by Fear

Having Unrealistic Standards

Causes of Perfectionism

Pitfalls of Being a Perfectionist

How to Overcome Being a Perfectionist

Unhealthy perfectionism can make it difficult to achieve your goals. It can also lead to worry, stress, anxiety, and depression, among other negative outcomes. 

If you are a perfectionist and want to reduce some of its negative impacts on your life, there are a few things you can do. Strategies that can help you overcome perfectionism include:

Creating an environment where you feel accepted

Engaging in positive self-talk

Not comparing yourself to others

Practicing mindfulness to help you learn how to focus on the present without worrying as much about the past or future

Episode #3 -This BTB Project episode was an interview with my former inspiring tennis student Peyton Palermo who I met with she was 14. Peyton was initially diagnosed with a brain tumor at age five. After the first tumor was successfully removed, Peyton went on to find success as a high-level tennis player. In 2011, she was ranked 11th in the 12 and under age grouping for the girls' Satellite division in Colorado. However, the tumor grew back, and on August 29, 2011, Peyton had another surgery to remove the regrown tumor. The surgery left Peyton with a loss of coordination on the entire right side of her body. She could not walk, write or catch. Her speech and eyesight were also impacted. But Peyton kept on fighting.

We trained together at 5 am multiple days a week for the better part of 4 years to help her regain strength to the right side of her body and allow her to play varsity high school tennis.  In every training session, Peyton chose to “be strong, fight hard, and dig deep.” This 24-year-old Colorado native fought back and not only won on the tennis court as a junior but also impacts lives in her adult life. You will be encouraged by her story and find value in the advice she has to help you overcome challenges and find what YOU are Built to Be.

Check out the following links we cover in the Podcast

WILL.COURAGE.SURVIVE. | Peyton Palermo | TEDxVail

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CYn1UFDkFQ

Denver Post Peyton Palermo shows how to beat brain tumor — twice 

https://www.denverpost.com/2015/05/04/peyton-palermo-shows-how-to-beat-brain-tumor-twice/

Tennis Magazine Article- Fighting Spirit

https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/fighting-spirit

Peyton's Hope Endowment Fund 

https://secure.childrenscoloradofoundation.org/site/TR/TeamChildrensColorado/General;jsessionid=00000000.app20012a?px=1160395&pg=personal&fr_id=1163&NONCE_TOKEN=0B90E928C956679B794DE55B5CA82D32

Episode #2- In 2023 the word on the street is things are going to get rough for our economy and day-to-day life with the rise of inflation. Today's episode is a keynote on tools you can use to help you navigate the circumstances as they come up and go after what you are Built to Be. The BTB project was built with these tools and I want you the listener to be motivated, encouraged, and determined to change your life after hearing a bit more about mine. 

Here is the list of tools we will cover in the Podcast:

Breath

Speak

Writing it down

Give one take one

Write letters of apology or thanks

Move your body

1% better every day

Faith

Simon Senek- “Charisma has nothing to do with energy; it comes from a clarity of WHY. It comes from absolute conviction in an ideal bigger than oneself. Energy, in contrast, comes from a good night’s sleep or lots of caffeine. Energy can excite. But only charisma can inspire. Charisma commands loyalty. Energy does not.”

Episode #1 -What are you Built to Be? It's a question I've always asked myself personally since I was 14 years old as I began my journey to become an elite D1 tennis player and have been able to ask thousands of people as a motivation coach over the last 22 years. In today's episode, I introduce the BTB project and its mission to help others uncover their WHY to overcome any HOW. I walk through a old client questioner from 2015 to help the listeners better understand the BTB mission.

The Q&A will allow you to get to know me and also get an idea of what's to come ahead in future episodes. You can find the list of questions below:

What about your past helps you?

Can you explain how your past has brought you here?

What is your favorite part about being a coach? What is your least favorite?

How long have you played tennis?

What pushes you to be so inspirational?

What is the craziest thing that has ever happened to you while teaching?

Can you share something about a difficult time in your life when you didn't know how you would get through it and what you chose to do to overcome it 

What would your students say about your attitude every day during practice?

What keeps are you going when life gets complicated?

Why did you choose to become a tennis coach?

If you could choose any job in the world... Would you still be coaching?

If your wildest dream could come true... What would it be?

Where do you see yourself in: 5 years-10 years 20 years?

What's one thing people don't know about you that they would be surprised to learn? 

Was there a question that you thought I would ask but didn't?

Final question: if one of your students was having a bad day... What advice would you give them?