Let’s go ahead and say it: the old-school “suck it up” mindset isn’t doing your athlete any favors. In fact, it might be doing the opposite.

This episode wraps up our 4-part Summer Confidence Series by addressing something that shows up all over youth sports, often without question: the idea that mental toughness is everything. But what if that approach is actually setting your daughter back?

Let’s break it down, step by step. No fluff. Just real talk.

You see it all the time.

Your daughter walks off the field with slumped shoulders. She’s quiet in the car ride home, maybe frustrated tears in her eyes. You try to encourage her, “You did great!”, but she shrugs it off or snaps, “You don’t get it, Mom.”

Mistakes are part of every athlete’s experience, whether your daughter is just starting out in sports or she’s been competing for years. The way she handles those mistakes, though? That can make all the difference in how much she enjoys the game, how well she plays, and how confident she feels, both on and off the field.

If you’re reading this, I already know something about you: You deeply care about your daughter; not just how she performs in her sport, but how she feels about herself while she’s doing it.

We’ve all been there: watching our daughter walk off the field or court after a tough game.

Let’s be honest: sometimes the hardest part of youth sports isn’t the games, the practices, or even the tough losses. It’s the sideline drama.

As parents and coaches, we want our girl athletes to be strong, confident, and resilient, not just in their sport, but in life. And one of the most powerful ways to build that confidence? Teaching them how to fuel their bodies intentionally while developing essential life skills in the kitchen.

Have you ever felt the pressure – whether from coaches, other parents, or even yourself – that your daughter has to pick one sport and stick with it? Maybe you’ve heard, “If she doesn’t specialize now, she’ll never get a scholarship,” or “She needs to focus on one position to make the travel team.” Sound familiar?