Unstoppable Athlete - Mental Resilience for Teen Athletes

#26 - Holding the Line from the Sidelines: A Volleyball Mom on Parenting Through College Volleyball Challenges

Sara’s long time friend, and former teammate, Kim is the mom of Sadie and shares about the experience of allowing her daughter to figure it out through her challenges. Key learnings of doing your due diligence, but also to allow them to figure it out while continuing an ongoing conversation of what is in your childs control. The family moto of maintaining - PMA -positive mental attitude was essential. As a former college volleyball player herself, Kim also reminded Sadie she could control her attitude and her serve. Mom’s pride was evident as Kim shared that Sadies work ethic was the key for creating the opportunity to play beyond high school and that she was a “Swiss Army Knife”, able to fill any role the team needed.Finally, parents can support their athletes by creating ongoing conversation and safety at home when athletes need to fall apart a little in order to put themselves back together and show up for their team as a leader. 

#25 - Not All Sunshine and Rainbows - The Untold Side of College Volleyball ATHLETE INTERVIEW

Sara has a chat with Sadie about a pretty bumpy first two years playing US college volleyball. When a coach turns “bad” how to do you stick it out or decide to change plans. Learning who you are without volleyball. And staying optimistic to move schools and bring your lessons from the challenge to your teammates as this new team struggles to find a few wins.Sadie maintained grateful for the struggle as she knew she could keep a positive outlook and reinforced that she can handle hard things. Her mindset was the big deal as  focused on what she could control - her Attitude and Effort!

#24 - When a player isn't thriving with a coach S2.6

As a parent we can rush to protective mode, but can we get curious first?Asking our athletes questions to help them self-reflect.What is the coaching looking for from you? Skill or effort wise?Are you clear where  you might not be meeting expectations?Are there things the coach has communicated that you are working on? And if not can you approach the coach to ask?Where did you show up in support of your teammate? What was the play that you did that allowed your teammate to be successful?Michelle and Sara also discuss how coaches can have a bias? Sometimes positive and sometimes in ways that don’t support the athlete. When athletes take responsibility for their growth, it can help address these and help the coach become aware where they may be unintentionally missing in how to create a supportive environment that fits this athletes needs.Confidence is a skill that comes from within. Having courage to try and make mistakes in order to learn while feeling support. What happens when a player is feeling that “the coach doesn’t like me!” Girls often look for the support externally first instead of internally and dwell on mistakes. Michelle recommends this book on confidence - The Confidence Code by Katty Kay Be willing to make mistakes and grow from there. It is okay to be a beginner! And not everyone is the best player on the team, every role is important. Be the best you that you can be. Understand that there is strategy that you not playing may not be about you at all, more about team flow or someone else having a great game.Socializing that failure as the place you need to go if you want to improve. Staying safe and not making mistakes will not lead you to grow. Also “saying I’m no good” is an excuse to not be vulnerable, or to be willing to try and maybe get it wrong. Be a problem solved instead of attention seeker.Top 3 Take AwaysAthletes - be solution focused! Approach your coach with curiosity and ask “What do I need to work on?” Watch game tape and find wins to celebrate but also something specific you can work on. If you don’t know - ASK!Have self-compassion. Be kind and forgiving (like you would be with a friend). Having courage to develop confidence requires that you give yourself a chance. Use the tool of Self- reflection. Review game tape with a mission to find your successes and also pick one thing to work on from a positive light. Not "I wasn't good at that” but what was I missing to allow me to succeed?Before believing that you aren’t good enough, ask is that true? (From Byron Katie https://thework.com/2017/10/four-liberating-questions/)Is it true?Can you absolutely know that it’s true?How do you react when you believe that thought?Who would you be without the thought?Visit ⁠www.skool.com/unstoppable2026⁠ to join our community, watch the Parent Intro Video, join a workshop or have your athlete on our waitlist for upcoming Unstoppable Athlete Program offerings.  

#23 - Mean Girls and Team Dynamics Episode S2.5

Sara and Michelle turn their camera on while they debrief from the past weekend. A few themes came up around team dynamics and the potential appearance of mean girl behaviour. What can parents and coaches do about it and what can an athlete recognize as her own responsibility in team relationships?Attitude and Energy are what you are in control of. Connecting with teammates doesn’t mean you need to be besties with everyone but it does mean leading with kindness and respect. Team culture of playing for each other and making the people around you better, vs playing for yourself will payoff on and off the court. Giving shout outs!Parents - be aware if it might be your daughter engaging in mean girl behaviour. - Ask the coach how to help with bonding; mixing up who drives with who, team dinners, crafting clips or bag tags- ask questions and be curious if they are complaining about anotherHelp them reflect and look deeper, how is it for the other personWhat part can they own?Top 3 Take AwaysTeam culture - a focus on kindness and respect on and OFF the courtParents - recognize your role and ask questions. Also create situations for all to mingle.Players - self reflection, how are you showing up?Visit ⁠www.skool.com/unstoppable2026⁠ to join our community, watch the Parent Intro Video, join a workshop or have your athlete on our waitlist for upcoming Unstoppable Athlete Program offerings.  

#22 - When Players Quit COACH EPISODE S2.4

Sara has a question for Michelle about when players choose to quit playing. What can we do as coaches, and what part can the athletes take responsibility for?Top 3 Take AwaysCoaches care a lot but we can’t be everything to everyone. Parents are biased in their expectations and coaches can have a strong boundary to not take on coaching advice from these parents.Find your support with others who are on the field (or the court). Mastermind with coaches support - coming soon to our Skool community!Communicate our plans and expectations to the athletes often. And athletes if you are uncertain about your role - ASK! Visit ⁠www.skool.com/unstoppable2026⁠ to join our community, watch the Parent Intro Video, join a workshop or have your athlete on our waitlist for upcoming Unstoppable Athlete Program offerings.