5 Signs Your Athlete Struggles with Perfectionism (And How You Can Support Her)

Does it feel like nothing your daughter does is ever good enough? She might win a game, achieve a personal best, or master a new skill, and still criticize herself 😔. Watching her struggle can be heartbreaking, especially when her self-worth seems tied to every mistake or outcome.

How do you know if your athlete is ready for mental training? And maybe even more important, when’s the best time to start?

It’s that time again: tryout season. The week when moms probably lose more sleep than their athletes do. And honestly? It makes sense. Tryouts are stressful for everyone: athletes, coaches, and yes, parents too.

Hey athletes! Let’s talk about something we’ve all dealt with: that awful spiral of negative thoughts. You know the one. It starts with “What if I mess up?” and suddenly, your brain’s racing with worst-case scenarios. You’re stuck in your head, doubting yourself, and it feels impossible to shake it off. Sound familiar?

If you’re a sports mom and your daughter is suddenly freezing up during practice or competition – even though she’s done the skill a hundred times before – you’re not alone. It can be confusing and frustrating to watch. You may think, “She used to do this with no problem! Why won’t she just do it now?”

Have you ever been stuck in that awkward pre-game moment with your athlete where she’s nervous, irritable, and absolutely not in the mood for your “pep talk”?

“I’m doing everything I can. I show up early, stay late, put in the extra reps. But, no matter how hard I work, it feels like I’m being overlooked. Maybe my coach favors other players. Maybe I just don’t fit into their game plan. Whatever the reason, it’s frustrating, and honestly, it’s starting to wear me down.”

Does this sound like you? You’re grinding at practice, showing up for every workout, and giving it your all. You’re serious about your sport, but now you’re starting to realize something: everyone else is, too. The higher you go, the more you see that every athlete is putting in the work. So, how do you stand out? How do you separate yourself from the pack when the competition is just as dedicated?