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

What do you do when your coach says you look scared on the court?

How do you handle a teammate who constantly brings negative energy?

Or when you come back from an injury and feel like everyone has left you behind?

These aren’t just your problems. They’re the exact, real-life questions girl athletes are asking behind closed doors. And today, I’m swinging those doors wide open.

I’m giving you a secret peek inside one of our private group coaching calls, where athletes get real, unfiltered advice on the stuff that actually keeps them up at night. No scripts, no fluff; just the raw conversations and actionable tips that help players navigate the toughest parts of their sport.

This is the stuff we usually only share with our inner circle. Keep reading to see how we handle it.

Ever sat in the bleachers or the car pickup line, wondering how to help your daughter shake off a tough game and truly believe in herself again? If so, you’re in the right place. This isn’t just another list of sports pep talks or motivational quotes. These are tried-and-true strategies, straight from sports moms who’ve watched their athletes deal with nerves, tough coaches, self-doubt, and those make-or-break moments that happen on every field or court.

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.

Tryouts can feel like a lot. Your heart’s racing, your palms are sweaty, and suddenly it feels like everything’s riding on this one moment. But here’s the truth: tryouts aren’t about becoming someone new. They’re your chance to show off the work you’ve already put in. That’s it. And that mindset shift? It changes everything.

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.