Mastering Confidence, Calm, and Clutch: An Essential Guide for Athletes and Parents

In this episode of 'Confident, Calm, Clutch Car Ride Conversations,' host Valerie Alston dives deep into the essential traits that make athletes not just withstand but thrive under pressure. Valerie, a former athlete and sports psychology professional, breaks down the three core traits—confidence, calm, and clutch—and explains why they are vital for success not only in sports but also in school and life. This episode features actionable tips on how to train for these high-pressure moments through practice and mental rehearsal. Perfect for parents, young athletes, and coaches, this podcast aims to foster meaningful dialogue and lifelong skills one car ride at a time.

00:00 Introduction to Confidence, Calm, and Clutch

03:09 The Importance of Confidence

03:53 Mastering Calmness Under Pressure

04:37 Understanding and Developing Clutch Performance

06:36 Applying Clutch Skills Beyond Sports

08:55 Training for Pressure Situations

15:24 Reflecting on Pressure Moments

16:51 Interactive Discussion and Conclusion

Discussion questions:

1. When was the last time you felt pressure in a game, test, or life moment? What happened—and how did you handle it?
2. Do you think being clutch means never getting nervous? Why or why not?
3. What are 1–2 pressure scenarios you could practice this week—either for real or in your mind?
4. What’s something I (as your parent) could do to help you practice pressure without adding more stress?

Thanks for joining me on Confident, Calm, and Clutch Car Ride Conversations! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a moment. Share it with other parents or coaches who could use a little extra inspiration on the go.

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For more specific tips on building mental toughness, buy my book Confident, Calm and Clutch: How to build confidence and mental toughness for young athletes using sports psychology

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