What One Soccer Mom Got Wrong After Games… and the Simple Shift That Changed Everything 

If post-game car rides feel tense, emotional, or unpredictable, you are not alone.

If you’ve ever sat behind the wheel after a game thinking, “I want to help her… but everything I say seems to make it worse,” this story will speak directly to you.

Because here’s the truth: even the most supportive, well-intentioned moms end up saying things after games that accidentally create frustration, pressure, or disconnection. Not because you are doing anything wrong… but because no one ever taught us how to support a girl athlete’s mind.

Today’s episode shares the journey of Kimberly, a busy mom of two multi-sport daughters, who realized her after-game approach was actually hurting her daughters’ confidence—and how one simple shift changed everything for their family.

The Hidden Pressure Moms Don’t See at First

Kimberly’s girls play a lot of sports.

Soccer. Basketball. Cross country. Softball.

Their schedule is full and their effort is huge.

Like many moms, Kimberly just wanted to help. She wanted her daughters to feel confident, to bounce back quickly, to shake off the tough moments, and to walk away feeling proud.

But that’s not what was happening.

Instead, she noticed:

• Tense rides home
• Emotional shutdowns
• Spiraling self-talk
• Frustration after mistakes
• Pressure whenever they were asked to “play up”

Talent wasn’t the problem.
Work ethic wasn’t the problem.
Support wasn’t the problem.

The missing piece was mental training.

And the moment Kimberly understood that, everything changed.

The Game-Changing Moment She Didn’t Expect

It started with the What to Say Challenge.

One simple exercise.

One written note.

That tiny shift in communication made her daughter soften, open up, and feel seen instead of judged.

Kimberly realized: “My words matter. Not just what I’m saying… but how I’m saying it.”

And like so many moms in our community, she suddenly saw the gap. Her daughters had physical training, skills training, private lessons, and practices. But they didn’t have mental training—the part that helps them:

• Handle mistakes
• Manage nerves
• Stay confident
• Recover faster
• Communicate better
• Enjoy the sport again
  

This led Kimberly to join EMG, and what happened next is something every sports mom should hear.

How One Family Totally Transformed Their After-Game Dynamic

✔️ Playing Up Was Triggering Big Emotions

Her younger daughter was constantly asked to play up. Amazing opportunity. Huge compliment.

But emotionally? It was draining.

She felt overwhelmed, self-critical, and frustrated with herself when she didn’t meet her own expectations.

Kimberly needed tools—not lectures, not pep talks, not tougher feedback—tools.

✔️ Mental Training Created Wins Right Away

Once her daughters started learning EMG tools like:

• Snapback routines
• Evidence and affirmation work
• Pre-competition reset strategies
• Strong self-talk patterns

…they began showing up differently.

Small wins turned into bigger shifts:

• Less spiraling
• Faster recovery
• More joy
• More openness
• More confidence

✔️ Her Husband Joined the Journey Too

One of the most powerful parts?

Kimberly and her husband learned the same supportive language.

When both parents use calm, consistent phrases, the entire family dynamic changes.

✔️ Each Daughter Entered the Program in Her Own Way

Kimberly adjusted how she presented the program based on:

• Personality
• Motivation
• Stress levels
• Learning style

Her older daughter was drawn in by the idea that elite athletes train their minds.

Her younger daughter loved the structure, the journaling, and the clear steps.

Both girls found their own rhythm.

✔️ Summer Was the Perfect Time to Start

No homework.

No crazy schedules.

Just space.

Kimberly created something she calls “Shine Time.”

A fun, meaningful routine her daughters looked forward to.

It became their mental training moment—something special, not forced.

✔️ Parent Tools Were Just as Transformational

What surprised Kimberly most?

She changed too.

She learned how to:

• Stay calm during emotional moments
• Avoid coaching on the car ride home
• Role-model positive self-talk
• Support without adding pressure
• Use the exact phrases that help girls reset

And what happened next?

The car ride home—once the hardest part—became peaceful.

✔️ The New Rule: Only Say “Good Game”

Unless her daughter opened the door to talk more, that was it.

Two simple words.

A gigantic shift.

Instead of replaying mistakes or analyzing decisions, she became the steady, safe landing spot her daughters needed.

And her daughters began coming to her more often—because she wasn’t trying to fix, teach, or coach.

She was just mom.

The Big Breakthrough Every Mom Needs to Hear

Kimberly learned one concept that changed everything:

There are four roles in sports. Your daughter only needs you to play one: MOM.

Not coach.

Not ref.

Not trainer.

Not teammate.

Just mom.

Supportive. Steady. Safe.

When that role is clear, confidence blooms.

Her older daughter even carried these tools into high school tryouts, using resets and routines to stay grounded.

Her younger daughter began having fun again, even during tough moments on the field.

This is what mental training does.

It gives girls their confidence back.

And it gives moms peace of mind.

The Most Encouraging Part of Kimberly’s Story

She doesn’t claim to be perfect.

She doesn’t claim her daughters never struggle.

She simply proved something powerful:

Small language shifts can change your entire relationship with your athlete.

You don’t need to overhaul your parenting.

You don’t need to tiptoe around emotions.

You don’t need a background in psychology.

You just need tools.

And once you have them, everything gets lighter.

Episode Highlights: 

[00:00:00] Meet Kimberly. A busy sports mom with two daughters juggling soccer, basketball, cross country, and softball.

[00:01:10] Why she turned to mental training. Her daughters were talented but struggling with confidence and post-game emotions.

[00:02:00] The surprising impact of a simple note during the What to Say Challenge. It shifted their entire after-game dynamic.

[00:03:36] Introducing her daughters. Ages 13 and 15, both playing multiple sports with full schedules and high expectations.

[00:05:10] Why she joined EMG. Playing up brought pressure her younger daughter was not prepared for emotionally.

[00:07:10] Getting her husband on board. Both parents needed the same language to support their daughters.

[00:08:00] How she introduced EMG to each daughter based on personality and what motivates them.

[00:13:00] Starting the program during summer. A relaxed pace helped both girls ease into mental training.

[00:15:00] “Shine Time.” The fun routine Kimberly created to make EMG feel special and consistent.

[00:19:00] Early wins. Her daughters used tools like the Snapback routine and quickly saw confidence shifts.

[00:22:30] The car ride breakthrough. No more tense conversations or emotional shutdowns.

[00:23:40] Kimberly’s new rule for after games. Only say “Good game” unless her daughter invites more conversation.

[00:24:30] The power of focusing on the parent role instead of coaching from the sidelines.

[00:27:20] How her older daughter used EMG tools during stressful high school tryouts.

[00:31:40] Reframing playing up versus playing age. How they found what worked best for each girl.

[00:40:00] Creating a pre-field routine that helped her daughter manage nerves and step onto the field ready.

[00:42:30] Kimberly’s final encouragement to moms. You are not alone and small language shifts can change everything.

Next Steps:

• Jump into The Elite Mental Game
• 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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