If you’ve ever watched your daughter freeze under pressure, beat herself up after mistakes, or struggle to bounce back during games, you’re not alone.

I recently sat down with two amazing moms, Allegra and Samara, whose daughters play competitive gymnastics and softball. Their stories are packed with real talk and practical tips that’ll make you think, “Yes, that’s exactly what we’re dealing with!”

Let’s learn more about their journey and how their girls (and they!) grew stronger, calmer, and more confident.

Meet the Moms: Why They Joined EMG

Allegra’s Story. Her 9-year-old daughter, a gymnast, crushed practices but fell apart at meets. “She seemed good in practice, then during the meet, she’d fall apart. She just gets really nervous,” Allegra shared. The pressure of judges, crowds, and solo performances left her daughter doubting herself.

Samara’s Story. Her 12-year-old daughter, a travel softball catcher, let mistakes snowball. “If something happened, it almost derailed the entire game. Those car rides home were really difficult,” Samara said. She wanted tools to help her daughter turn setbacks into comebacks, both in sports and life.

“How Do I Even Bring This Up to My Kid?”

Both moms faced the “Will she think I’m criticizing her?” hurdle. Here’s how they nailed it:

Allegra’s Approach. After a rough first meeting, Allegra decided to take a different approach. She played one of my podcasts in the car, hoping it would spark interest. As she listened, she found herself wanting to comment, but her daughter quickly shushed her, fully engaged in the episode. Though the podcast wasn’t very long, it was enough to make an impact. When it ended, Allegra asked, “Does this sound like something you might want to learn more about?” Without hesitation, her daughter responded, “Yes, I want to learn more about it.” And that’s how their journey started.

Samara’s Trick. She framed it as a “secret weapon” that other athletes use, presenting it as just another tool in her daughter’s toolbox. She reassured her that it wasn’t about fixing anything – there was nothing wrong with her or what she was already doing. Instead, she introduced the idea by saying, “What if we had a tool that could help you?” To help explain, she played an introductory podcast episode that covered how to bring up the topic in a supportive way. She emphasized that life is full of different tools, and this was simply another one to add. “What do you think about having an extra tool?” she asked. The approach not only opened her daughter’s mind to the idea but also provided tools that have positively impacted both their family and her daughter’s athletic journey.

The Game-Changers: Tools That Actually Worked

So, what actually made the difference? Let’s break down the three tools that became total game-changers for these families and how their daughters put them into action.

1. The Snapback Routine
Both girls learned to reset after mistakes using a simple combo: breathe, repeat a word, and do a physical gesture. For Allegra’s gymnast daughter, that meant tugging her grips and whispering “focus” to shake off a fall. Robin, the softball catcher, would subtly adjust her gear as her reset move. Instead of letting one error snowball into three, these routines helped them bounce back faster. Samara noticed Robin’s confidence skyrocketed – she’d recover in seconds, not innings.

2. Control the Controllables
This mantra became a family mindset. Allegra’s daughter stopped comparing herself to teammates and started asking, “What can I do today?”, whether at practice or during a math test. For Robin, it meant focusing on what she could change (like asking the ump, “Where’d that pitch miss?”) instead of raging over bad calls. Both moms saw their girls turn frustration into action, both on and off the field.

3. Shutting Up ≠ Giving Up
Both moms admitted they’d accidentally made things worse by over-coaching. Samara, who grew up with a military dad’s “direct feedback” style, switched to asking, “How’d you feel about that play?” instead of critiquing. Allegra realized her nonverbal stress (like tense sideline vibes) affected her daughter’s confidence. Now? She cheers, celebrates effort, and lets her daughter lead the goal-setting. The result? Less pressure, more joy and way fewer tense car rides home.

These weren’t magic tricks; just simple, repeatable strategies. And as both moms learned, sometimes the biggest win isn’t a trophy… it’s watching your kid grow into someone who knows exactly how to handle life’s curveballs.

FAQs: Your Questions, Answered

Let’s tackle the big questions sports moms always ask – because yes, you’re probably wondering the same things!

For younger athletes or boys?

Absolutely! Allegra’s daughter started at just nine years old, and the skills stuck, even with the high-pressure world of gymnastics. Samara’s 12-year-old catcher saw massive growth in leadership and resilience. And while we focus on girls, the strategies work for boys too. (One dad even joined the program and texted me about his son’s progress!)

How fast does it work?

It depends. Samara saw Robin’s confidence “skyrocket” within weeks, throwing out runners and leading her team like a pro. For younger athletes like Allegra’s daughter, changes were subtler but powerful: setting goals without comparing herself to others, journaling wins, and handling school stress like a champ.

What if my kid resists?
Start small. Both moms framed it as “extra tools,” not fixes. The program’s warm-up phase does the heavy lifting: athletes hear from peers, take a fun “Competitor Style Quiz,” and earn Starbucks gift cards (yes, bribery works). Still unsure? There’s a 14-day money-back guarantee. No pressure, just proof.

What about my role as a parent?
This was the shocker: both moms realized they were part of the problem. Allegra learned to swap sideline stress-chewing for calm vibes. Samara ditched her military-style feedback for questions like, “How’d you feel about that play?” The program doesn’t just train athletes; it coaches parents to step back, listen, and trust the process.

Final Thoughts: Confidence Isn’t Built Overnight, But It Is Built Together

Here’s the truth: Raising a confident athlete isn’t about drilling harder, yelling louder, or chasing perfection. It’s about giving your kid (and yourself!) the tools to handle pressure, bounce back, and believe in their own grit, even when the scoreboard doesn’t.

Allegra and Samara’s stories show that real growth isn’t just about medals or stats. It’s watching a gymnast shake off a fall with a deep breath and a whispered “focus.” It’s a catcher laughing after a bad call because she knows, “I control what I can.” It’s moms learning to bite their tongues, swap critiques for curiosity, and trust that their daughters are stronger than they think.

But here’s the best part: You don’t have to figure this out alone. Whether your daughter is nine or 16, a gymnast or a goalie, there’s a roadmap. The same tools that transformed Nina’s meets and Robin’s games work for school stress, friendship drama, and even your work deadlines (seriously, Samara’s husband jokingly asks, “Babe, is that something you can control?” during arguments now).

So, take a page from these moms: Start small. Celebrate the snapbacks. And remember: this isn’t just about raising athletes. It’s about raising resilient, confident humans who know how to thrive, no matter what life throws at them.

Your next move? Hit play on my podcast during your next car ride. Try the Competitor Style Quiz with your daughter. Or just breathe and ask, “What can we control today?” Progress over perfection, moms. You’ve got this.

P.S. If Allegra’s 9-year-old can journal her wins, and Samara’s catcher can lead a team, imagine what your kid could do! Time to find out.

Episode Highlights: 

[00:00:00]: Introduction of the episode and the guests. Mention the focus on young athletes in gymnastics and softball.

[00:01:11]: Moms introduce their daughters’ sports and challenges. Highlight gymnastics nerves and softball mistakes.

[00:03:30]: Reasons for joining EMG: building confidence and life lessons through sports.

[00:07:57]: How they approached their daughters about the program. Using podcasts and framing as tools.

[00:11:55]: Moms reflecting on their own impact. Learning to listen more and coach less.

[00:16:04]: Tools like snapback routines and controllables mantra. Results in goal-setting and resilience.

[00:22:28]: Addressing FAQs: applicability to boys, younger athletes, and beyond sports.

[00:27:39]: Strategies for resistant athletes: quizzes, resources, and positioning as a secret weapon.

[00:31:22]: Support systems: live coaching, guest speakers, and podcasts.

[00:38:41]: Q&A advice: process goals and visualization techniques.

[00:45:19]: Growth in leadership and parental role shifts.

[00:48:46]: Key takeaways about life skills and relationships.

[00:51:13]: Closing remarks and encouragement to engage with the program.

Next Steps:

• Join our FREE Training for Sports Moms – How to Strengthen Your Athlete Daughter’s Mental Game so She Believes in Herself as Much as You Do
• Visit our podcast website for more great episodes

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