Unstoppable Athlete - Mental Resilience for Teen Athletes

Michelle surprises Sara with a prompt about playing time philosophy which leads into a conversation about the different strategies coaches may take. They also touch on all the ways coaches are considering different perspectives and maybe where both parents and coaches can become aware that their beliefs colour their reality.Top 3 TakeawaysThere is no right answerConfirmation bias can cloud your perspective and its important to be aware that you may be filtering out facts that don’t support your opinionLearn and grow from your experience by analyzing and reflecting on the processCheck out our upcoming dates at www.unstoppableathlete.caParent Workshop and 12 week Unstoppable Athlete workshop waitlist open now!

Check out our upcoming dates at www.unstoppableathlete.caParent Workshop and 12 week Unstoppable Athlete workshop waitlist open now!Is not keeping score or giving MVP awards actually a good thing?Are we allowing our girls to change, learn how to embody their competitive fire. Can we teach them to find their people who inspire and support excellence within them? You can be competitive and kind at the same time.Top 3 TakeawaysCompetition is not a dirty wordIf everyone gets a medal it doesn't mean anything Inspire excellency versus mediocrity

Check out our upcoming dates at www.unstoppableathlete.caParent Workshop and 12 week Unstoppable Athlete workshop waitlist open now!Michelle and Sara know what its like to watch athletes underperform, end up in tears and struggle to let go of perfectionist tendencies. Learn what this may mean and where you can go to learn how to support your athlete.Top 3 Takeaways1. Parents can embody a growth mindset2. Emotional regulation happens when we can regulate our nervous systems and physiology3. Embrace failures as opportunities, notice when perfectionism is creeping in and help your athlete reframe

Sara and Michelle talk about a recent volleyball tournament their team was in and how the attitude of the players translates into playing opportunities.Are you stuck in past mistakes? Is your attitude a detriment to the team?Can you learn the skills to move on? Self awareness is a key to being able to say “next”, and control the things you can control, your attitude and energy.  Know your role and learn how to be the go to player that the coach will look to off the bench, be the best at it!Top 3 Take AwaysAttitude is a choiceFind an expression that allows you to shift your attitude. What levers can you pull to make the attitude and energy you want to have happen?Be the best you can be at your role and show the coach you own it.Check out www.unstoppableathlete.ca for our 12 week athlete mental resilience program upcoming dates and times for a parent information session that interested parents should definitely check out. 

How athletes need to take ownership for what they are learning from coaches or programs. Where does your fire from within come from and how does it motivate you to move towards your goals? Learning skills to take you to the next level and being motivated to apply them on a consistent basis will define your results.Top 3 Take AwaysBe accountable to yourselfWhat am I willing to do to actually achieve my goals?How do I apply the learning and coaching I receive?Check out www.unstoppableathlete.ca for our 12 week athlete mental resilience program upcoming dates and times for a parent information session that interested parents should definitely check out. 

Sara and Michelle really dig in to the topic of when future aspirations might be a detriment to your team and your experience in the present. Top 3 Take AwaysHow can you show up for your team? With willingness and enthusiasm for what the team needs right now.Don’t play for your highlight reel, play for your team.Sport is the experience you are having right now, not where it might take you. Doors open when you stay present and may be more exciting that what you thought you were working towards. Check out www.unstoppableathlete.ca for our 12 week athlete mental resilience program upcoming dates and times for a parent information session that interested parents should definitely check out. 

#10 - Athlete Interview with Mona. Track athlete, pilates instructor and counsellorKey TakeawaysReasons we compete can be varied and unique to each of usThe body doesn't always speak to us in words, its important to listen to the whispers and trust the intuition.Its all okay! Learning to feel what's true and being okay that things can change. Your motivators of yesterday may not be right for you today. Check out our Unstoppable Athlete 8 week program for you or your team! www.unstoppableathlete.ca

Recognize the perfectionist trap and reframe the inner dialogue. We are here to learn, not to be perfect or be the same as others, we are all on our own path. Keep it in perspective, it’s a game and it is supposed to be fun. Utilize strategies: pre-performance plan, post-game reflection and journal with a focus on gratitude. 

After last week, Sara is taking a break but before leaving Michelle guides her on a few of the important questions behind why we coach.Key Takeaways: 1. Seeing challenges as working for you2.Coach for the relationships, with players, other coaches and the community3. Growth and Life lessons from sport.

Check out our Unstoppable Athlete 8 week program for your team! www.unstoppableathlete.caSara shares about needing to listen to her own advice. Allowing life and expectations to build up, she is humbled that she was unable to show up as the coach she desires to be this past weekend. The conversation with Michelle and reflections around the process start to open big possibilities for showing up better for herself and her players in the future. Key takeaways: 1. Start with Gratitude and its amazing how many things pop up to be thankful for2. Communication in relationship - be vulnerable and ask for help3. Fail fast - growth comes from making mistakes and learning (especially when you are able to check your ego)

Balance isn’t perfect. Prioritize the BIG 3: sleep, school, training. Prepare: what supports do you need, can you schedule school work so you are doing little bits everyday, pre-plan meals and more.

Mindset shift required! What can I learn from this challenge? When coping with illness and injury its helpful to celebrate the small wins and what you can do. Then build resilience: work on your bounce back plan, who can help support you, keep in perspective what this bump may bring, and focus on the opportunity to work on the mental skills needed in your sport. 

Versatility matters. Can you be the best you you can be? AND be whatever the team needs. Learning multiple positions makes you more adaptable and more desirable for future teams. Being open to opportunities can bring big payoffs. And you never know what lessons (or other gifts) can come from failure. You may meet your best friend being a role player on the bench.

How you can change your mindset to see challenges as opportunities for growth. I’m still learning, I’m not there yet. Look for opportunities, even when things don’t seem to go the way you thought. Be the best you, you can be. Every team doesn’t need all the same type of player, what is your superpower and how can you use that to be indispensable for your team.

We know it can be tough. Sara and Michelle chat about the ups and downs of playing sport, what they learned as “try hards” and also why sometimes the lesson learned from the struggle is the one that benefits you as you move on in life. Just know you are not alone! We have been there and want to help you navigate with a bit more kindness in your self talk.

Hey girls! Are you a volleyball player who sometimes can't quite perform like you hope? Do you feel anxious under pressure? Are you having trouble balancing training, school, work and friends?We've got you! Lets talk about the challenges and strategies you can learn from experienced coaches, athletes facing similar challenges, and ex-pros who have learned a thing or two they can't wait to share with you. Sara and Michelle are looking forward to being in the conversation.