Unstoppable Athlete - Mental Resilience for Teen Athletes

What happens when the role your team needs from you isn’t the role you wanted? In this episode, Sara and Michelle tackle one of the harder lessons in youth sport: being a great teammate means learning to think beyond yourself. They explore why working hard doesn’t automatically guarantee a starting position, how athletes can get caught in stories about what they “deserve,” and why individual goals can’t come before what the team is trying to accomplish.

Through real coaching experiences, they discuss helping athletes recognize the value they bring—even when they aren’t the star, aren’t playing their preferred position or are coming off the bench. They also look at what it really means to show up for your team, including when you’re injured, disappointed or not getting exactly what you hoped for.

Ultimately, this episode is about moving from “What am I getting?” to “How can I contribute?” Because you don’t have to be the MVP to be incredibly valuable—and learning to embrace your role, support your teammates and be ready when your opportunity comes is a skill that extends far beyond sport.

Top 3 Takeaways

1. Get out of your own story and serve the team
2. Remember that it’s not always about you
3. Value what you bring even if you’re a role player. 

www.unstoppableathlete.ca 

What if developing your entire roster actually gives you a better chance of winning? In this episode, Michelle sits down with Fernie volleyball coach Andrea Reed to talk about coaching philosophy, playing time, athlete development and why building depth matters. They explore the value of getting athletes meaningful game experience, developing players in multiple positions, communicating clearly about roles, and finding ways for every athlete to contribute—even when they aren’t part of the traditional “starting six.” Andrea and Michelle also discuss why game experience teaches things practice simply can’t, how different coaches can bring out different strengths in athletes, and why a deep, engaged bench can become one of a team’s greatest assets. It’s a conversation about looking beyond the immediate win to develop confident, adaptable athletes—and stronger teams in the process. 

Top 3 Takeaways

1. Know your athletes and work with their strengths
2. Players learn more by being in the game and getting to make mistakes
3. Benches win games

www.unstoppableathlete.ca 

“I don’t have time.” But is time really the problem—or is learning how to manage it part of growing up? In this episode, Sara and Michelle tackle accountability, time management and the temptation we have as parents to make life easier for our kids. From balancing academics, jobs and competitive sport to managing phones, friendships and other distractions, they explore how young athletes can learn to prioritize what matters, use their time effectively and follow through on the commitments they’ve made. They also discuss the difference between supporting our kids and rescuing them, why honest feedback matters, and how effort needs to align with the goals an athlete says they want. The goal isn’t to demand perfection or push every athlete toward the highest level—it’s to help young people move from “I can’t” toward “How can I?” and develop the accountability, self-awareness and problem-solving skills they’ll need far beyond sport. 

Top 3 Takeaways

1. Accountability
2. Effort vs impact - life skills of prioritisation, time allocation and decision making
3. What’s fair? Effort matters but so does ability

What should you say on the ride home after your athlete barely played, made a mistake, or had a disappointing game? Maybe nothing. In this episode, Sara and Michelle talk about the complicated role parents play in youth sport—and how quickly our own opinions about coaches, playing time and what’s “fair” can shape an athlete’s experience. They explore why fair doesn’t always mean equal, why playing time is influenced by far more than parents see from the stands, and how sitting on the bench can sometimes create exactly the motivation an athlete needs to grow. Most importantly, they discuss how parents can hold space for disappointment without jumping into the story, criticizing the coach or trying to fix it. Instead, let your athlete lead, get curious, and help them shift from “this isn’t fair” to “what can I do next?” Because sometimes the most powerful thing we can give our athletes is the opportunity to figure out for themselves who they want to become. 

Top 3 Takeaways

1. Let your athlete lead
2. Fair is NOT the same as equal
3. Hold space for your athlete to have feelings then guide to a place of affirmation of what they do have control over

Our Unstoppable Athlete program may be perfect for your athlete or their team. Check it out at https://unstoppableathlete.ca/

Or email us at [email protected]  for upcoming offerings.

What if making more mistakes is actually the fastest way to become a better athlete? Fresh off a week of volleyball camp, Sarah and Michelle reflect on what they saw in the gym—from young athletes learning new skills and navigating frustration to older players stepping into leadership roles. They explore why adaptability, coachability, intentional practice, and the ability to recover quickly from mistakes matter just as much as technical skill. They also challenge parents to resist fixing every uncomfortable experience and instead help their athletes problem-solve, take risks, accept feedback, and keep showing up when something feels hard. Because the goal isn’t to raise athletes who never struggle—it’s to raise young people who know what to do when they do. 

Top 3 Takeaways

1. Do hard things!
2. Those who recover from mistakes quickest will experience more success
3. Being focused on you is normal and your feelings are real - the lesson is to help your athlete redirect those feelings into things they can control. 

Tryouts aren’t just about how well you play—they’re about how you show up. In this quick episode, Sara and Michelle break down what athletes can do in the weeks leading up to tryouts to arrive physically and mentally prepared. From building volleyball-specific fitness, improving recovery, addressing lingering injuries, and getting sleep, nutrition, and hydration back on track, to setting goals and preparing for nerves, they share the things coaches actually notice. Most importantly, they remind athletes that coaches aren’t looking for perfection—they’re watching how you respond to mistakes, interact with teammates, take responsibility, and bring consistent effort. When tryouts arrive, focus on what you can control: your attitude, your effort, and your serve. 

Top 3 Takeaways

1. Get your body ready - sleep, nutrition, movement
2. Attitude and Effort - the things you can control 
3. Self talk - I’m here to make this team

When your athlete is frustrated about playing time, confidence, or a coach’s decisions, it’s tempting to step in and fix the problem—but that may not be what they need. In this episode, Sara and Michelle tackle five things parents should think twice about saying to coaches and explore a more productive approach to navigating the parent–coach–athlete relationship. From taking an honest look at attitude and effort to avoiding sideline criticism, encouraging athletes to advocate for themselves, and focusing on solutions instead of blame, they discuss how parents can turn difficult sports moments into opportunities for resilience, accountability, independence, and character. Because sometimes the most powerful thing a parent can do isn’t fix the situation—it’s show up, support their athlete, and help them learn how to handle it. 

Top 3 Takeaways

1. Is your athlete sharing an accurate reflection of their attitude and effort with you? And with themselves?
2. Be a great example! And cautious about how you talk about the coach, team, teachers, etc. around your child.
3. Solution focused. Not excuses, not blame. Bring to your coach your concerns in a way that seeks a solution to help meet their athlete and use the challenge as an opportunity to teach some life skills. 

What happens when the person driving you to practice is also the one running it? In this special roundtable discussion, Michelle sits down with three athletes—Callie, Emmy, and Jena—to explore the unique experience of being coached by their mothers. The athletes share honest insights about receiving feedback from a parent, navigating the blurred lines between coach and family, dealing with teammates’ perceptions, and learning to separate volleyball conversations from everyday life. While they acknowledge the challenges of heightened expectations and constant proximity, they also reveal the deep gratitude they feel for the time, commitment, and opportunities their moms have provided. Ultimately, the conversation highlights how parent-coach relationships, when built on communication, patience, and mutual respect, can strengthen both athletic development and family bonds.

Top 3 Takeaways

1. The hardest part isn't the coaching—it's separating "Mom" from "Coach."
2. Parent-coaches often push their own children the hardest.
3. Communication and boundaries make all the difference.

"If you wouldn't say it to another player, don't say it to your kid." — a powerful lesson that emerged from the discussion and a reminder for parent-coaches striving to balance accountability with empathy.

Fresh off a weekend of graduations, Sara and Michelle reflect on the relationships, life lessons, and lasting impact that sports can have on young athletes. What begins as an emotional conversation about watching their athletes step into adulthood evolves into a powerful discussion about what truly makes a great coach. From caring about athletes beyond their performance and teaching accountability, to developing every player—not just the stars—and helping young people build confidence, resilience, and character, this episode explores why the best coaches shape lives far beyond the court. Whether you're a coach, parent, or athlete, this conversation is a reminder that the scoreboard fades, but the lessons, relationships, and personal growth remain. 

Top 3 Takeaways

1. Not about the volleyball - relationships, teaching life skills through sport
2. Accountability
3. Matching commitment - is your athlete meeting the opportunities the coach is providing

Many well-meaning parents and coaches believe confidence comes from praise, but confidence is actually built through effort, growth, and overcoming challenges. In this episode, Sara and Michelle explore the difference between empty praise and meaningful feedback, and why constantly telling athletes they’re amazing can sometimes undermine their development. Instead, they discuss how to recognize and reward the behaviors that truly matter—showing up consistently, embracing hard work, learning from mistakes, and responding to setbacks with resilience. By shifting the focus from outcomes and natural talent to effort and growth, parents and coaches can help athletes develop authentic confidence, stronger self-talk, and the belief that success is something they can create through their actions rather than something they either have or don't have. Inspired by lessons from successful athletes and teams, this conversation offers practical ways to foster a growth mindset that supports both performance and personal development. 

Top 3 Takeaways

1. Praise attitude and effort to create growth mindset
2. Inquire with your athletes to guide them how to excel in the role they have
3. Let go of bad days and keep out of the perfectionist mindset