The Elite Competitor - A Podcast for Moms & Coaches

Comparison at tryouts is costing her more than she realizes. What's Your Competitor Style Quiz → https://athlete.fyi/yt-quiz

"We're strong, and we're only delicate if you tell us that we're delicate."

Your daughter doesn't need more pep talks. She needs 60 seconds and a closed door. Here's what actually works. Grab more tools here → https://trainhergame.com/momIf you're a coach, head to https://coachfreetraining.com to learn more about Plug & Play Elite Mental Game for teams! Also checkout out the Coach Her Game Channel for more tips.There's a simple mental skill that takes less than a minute and actually changes how your daughter performs under pressure. It's backed by real science, not just good intentions.What You'll Learn:✅ Why mental rehearsal works (and the brain science behind it)✅ Three specific moments to use this tool with your daughter✅ A simple way to help her release pre-game anxiety

Summer is when athletes either separate themselves or fall behind. Here's what the best ones do differently. Free training for sports moms → https://trainhergame.com/momMost athletes treat summer like an extended break and then walk into tryouts wondering why nothing changed.In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly what separates average athletes from great ones this summer, and it's not just showing up to open gyms.

The hardest part of playing D1 volleyball wasn't the early workouts, the travel, or the competition. It was the mental side...and nobody warned her. Grab our free training for sports moms: https://trainhergame.com/momSydney Dreves went from four-time state champion in high school to a starting outside hitter at Boise State. She's sharing what actually separated athletes at the next level - and it wasn't physical skills.

A teen setter used a mental reset tool at nationals and helped her team come back from 6 down to win. Grab the same system she used → https://trainhergame.com/mom

Your pep talks come from love. But two real sports parents found out they weren't enough.

Her daughter was doing everything right. But when the competition got harder, she started shrinking.

Your daughter is grinding. Practices, tournaments, extra reps. And college coaches are watching. But not for what you think.

If your daughter wants to play at the next level, this is the video she needs to see.

Elise went from "stuck in a box" after every mistake to bouncing back in a championship game. Here's how she did it ➡️ https://trainhergame.com/momShe's 11. Competitive soccer player. And in her own words, she was "stuck in a box" - trapped in her mistakes mid-game, spiraling after every error, losing herself in the what-ifs.Then her whole family joined The Elite Mental Game together.

70% of girls quit sports by age 13. This is the story of one who didn't and why it matters. Grab our free training for sports parents

We're coming to Cleveland!

Athletes: Your brain finds evidence for whatever you tell it. Take the quiz to find your competitor style, then watch your personalized playlist → https://www.videoask.com/fnbmhduxyThe words you say to yourself during practice aren't just thoughts. They're instructions your brain follows - and "this is too hard" is sending your brain straight to the exit.

Six brain facts unpacked. Learn how to help her use her brain to her advantage. Free training for sports moms

I shared this with coaches recently, and the response was so strong I had to bring it to you moms too. Start here

She had a full ride. And still walked away. If your daughter is questioning whether to keep going, this conversation is worth every minute. Lyrik Fryer is the co-founder of Work Play Branding, a multimillion dollar media company whose clients have appeared in Target, Times Square, and Oprah's Favorite Things.  Before all of that, she was a Division I soccer player at Florida International University, navigating perfectionism, recruitment pressure, and two ACL tears before making one of the hardest decisions of her athletic career.

Nerves used to shut her down. Now she's taking first place. Grab the same training Baylor's mom did to help her → https://trainhergame.com/mom Meet Baylor, our February Athlete of the Month inside the Elite Mental Game. She's 11 years old, figure skates and does rodeo, and she sat down with Coach Saylor to share exactly what shifted for her mentally and what her mom changed that made the biggest difference. In this episode, you'll hear:➡️ How Baylor went from blacking out with nerves to competing with confidence➡️ The simple two-second reset she now uses before and during competitions➡️ What her mom stopped doing after losses that changed everything➡️ Why asking for help mid-competition is a sign of strength, not weakness➡️ How she's applying the same mental tools to two completely different sports This one is for the athlete AND the mom watching from the bleachers.

Three sports moms share what actually changed when their daughters got mental training tools. Learn more about the program they used here → https://trainhergame.com/mom These aren't polished testimonials. These are raw, honest conversations from moms who were exactly where you might be right now - watching their daughter struggle and having no idea what to say without making it worse. In this video you'll hear from:

If your daughter is constantly comparing herself to other athletes more than focusing on her own game, or losing confidence this is your episode! Have her take this quiz to find out your competitor style: elitecompetitor.com/athlete Comparison is one of the most common confidence killers in girl athletes. It feels normal. It even feels productive sometimes. But when her focus is on everyone else, she loses the one thing that actually moves the needle - her own game. 

EMG Athlete of the Month, Samantha, went from spiraling after one bad shot to shooting a 76 the very next day. Here's how she did it ➡️ https://trainhergame.com/momSamantha is a middle school golfer and our January Athlete of the Month inside the Elite Mental Game. She came in struggling with confidence, caring too much about what other players thought, and spiraling after mistakes with no way out.What changed? She learned actual tools.✅ The Snapback Routine - a quick breath, reset word, and signal to get her head right after any mistake✅ The What If Flip - turning worst-case spirals into best-case possibilities✅ The 10-Second Rule - her own invention for processing mistakes without getting stuck in them

Your daughter just got pulled after one mistake. Here's exactly what to do. Grab the free training here - https://trainhergame.com/mom

We both quit our sports despite being talented. Here's what girls actually need to stay in the game → https://trainhergame.com/momGirls are quitting sports at twice the rate of boys by age 14. But it's not about talent or access.The real reason? Mental game. Fear of judgment, anxiety, pressure to perform, low confidence.In this episode, my co-founder Kristina and I are sharing our personal stories about quitting our sports. Stories we don't usually tell.Kristina was a basketball starter who quit her senior year because she physically couldn't shoot anymore. Not because she lost her skills, but because she couldn't handle the pressure of standing out and the fear of friends getting mad at her for being too good.I turned down college volleyball offers after my senior year because the emotional cost felt unbearable. Between my parents' divorce and perfectionism, I felt like I was failing everyone no matter what I did.We both came back to our sports later. But we shouldn't have had to quit in the first place to find peace.That's why we built The Elite Competitor and the Play, Stay, Lead mission.What You'll Learn:✅ Why girls quit sports at twice the rate of boys (and it's not what you think)✅ The real reason talented athletes walk away from their sport✅ How mental game challenges show up (pressure to be invisible, perfectionism, anxiety)✅ What keeps girls in sports longer and turns them into confident leaders✅ The mission behind everything we do at The Elite Competitor

Your daughter's dealing with team drama and everything you say seems to make it worse. Let me show you what actually helps → https://trainhergame.com/mom In this conversation with teen relationship expert Sheri Gazitt (founder of Teen Wise), we're breaking down why girls default to mean girl behavior, what parents accidentally do that shuts daughters down, and the exact 4-step formula that teaches girls to handle conflict without the drama. 

Feeling nervous before games? Here's a simple one-word reframe that changes everything: Instead of saying "I'm nervous," say "I'm excited." Your body literally can't tell the difference.

If your daughter has ever said "I suck" after a game and you had no idea how to respond, this one's for you.

If you're wondering whether The Elite Mental Game is worth the investment, whether your daughter will actually use it, or how long it takes to see results - this episode is for you. Three moms (climbing, softball, and figure skating) share the real, messy, beautiful truth about joining EMG: the hesitations they had, the breakthroughs they witnessed, and the one thing that surprised them most about the program.

Inside look at how mental training actually works for girl athletes. Get my free training here → https://trainhergame.com/mom

Ever wondered what mental training actually looks like for athletes? Sadie, a college volleyball player, shares what happened when she tried it. Get the free training for sports moms: https://trainhergame.com/mom I sat down with Sadie Scoville, a senior college volleyball player who just finished her season at Colorado Mesa University. Here's the thing - Sadie wasn't struggling or falling apart. She just wanted to play with confidence and trust herself under pressure. And she wanted to rediscover her love for the game.

Mental training isn't just for struggling athletes.

Are you tired of seeing your athlete get stuck in those negative spirals of self-doubt? Wishing they could play with more confidence and shake off mistakes without beating themselves up? Well, today's episode is all about changing the inner dialogue. We're talking about how to help your athlete develop positive self-talk so they can unlock their full potential – and maybe even start enjoying their sport more!What's CoveredThe difference between average and elite athletes when it comes to their mindset.How negative thoughts turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy.Simple tools to notice and shift those negative thoughts before they take hold.What YOU can do as a parent to create a supportive environment.Ready to help your athlete build their mental game? Dive into the full episode for all the details – you won't want to miss this one!Episode Highlights: [00:00] Helping athletes overcome negative self-talk and move past it quickly.[02:26] Helping athletes develop positive self-talk and navigate negative thoughts. Discover the importance of positive self-talk in athletes, emphasizing its impact on their mental game and overall performance.[07:35] Shifting thoughts to improve mental game in sports. Athletes learn to focus on enjoyment and improvement by shifting their mental attitude, leading to better performance.[09:58] How thoughts and beliefs affect athletic performance. Learn more about the “thought wheel” and how it relates to athletes' situations, thoughts, feelings, and actions.[15:06] Shifting negative thoughts to productive ones in sports.[17:12] Helping athletes shift negative thoughts and build self-trust.[22:27] How parents' self-talk impacts their daughters' mental skills and physical abilities in sports. Negative self-talk from parents can contribute to a daughter's negative self-talk and impact her athletic performance. 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 DoVisit our podcast website for more great episodesThank you in advance for joining us on our mission and leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

If your daughter is training hard but still feeling exhausted, injured, or mentally drained, it's probably not an effort problem.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Ella Wiley, our November Athlete of the Month. In this episode, we explore her journey as a swimmer, the importance of resilience, and her effective pre-competition routines.In This Episode: ✔️ How supportive coaching has shaped Ella's mindset ✔️ The role of mental training in enhancing performance ✔️ Ella's approach to pre-race preparation ✔️ Strategies for coping with nerves and building confidence ✔️ The importance of teamwork and camaraderie in sports ✔️ Tips for athletes to bounce back from disappointing performancesFollow Ella on her journey and draw inspiration for your own athletic path!Episode Highlights: [00:00:00] Introduction to Ella, November Athlete of the Month, and her remarkable story.[00:01:00] Ella shares her journey into competitive swimming and highlights her experience.[00:02:00] The influence of supportive coaches on Ella's work ethic and resilience.[00:03:00] Transition to her involvement in mental training and its impact on her performance.[00:04:00] Details about her recent meet experience, achieving PRs in 6 out of 8 events.[00:05:00] Ella reveals her pre-race routine and the strategies she uses to prepare mentally.[00:06:00] The effectiveness of box breathing and its role in calming nerves.[00:08:00] Importance of reflection and bouncing back from subpar performances.[00:09:00] Ella discusses her high school season and the shift in competition dynamics.[00:12:00] Tips for creating strong bonds with teammates and fostering a supportive environment.[00:13:00] Ella's advice for athletes struggling with nerves or mental challenges.[00:15:00] Final thoughts on embracing challenges and learning from every experience.[00:16:00] Ella shares her perspective on finding motivation and support in team sports.Next Steps:Take the Athlete Competitor Style QuizJoin our FREE Training for Sports Moms - How to Strengthen Your Athlete Daughter's Mental Game so She Believes in Herself as Much as You DoVisit our podcast website for more great episodesThank you in advance for joining us on our mission and leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

Have you ever wondered if the words you say to your daughter could help boost her confidence as an athlete? In this episode, I share practical, go-to phrases you can use to support your daughter in her sport and life. Whether she's preparing for a big game, processing a tough loss, or just navigating day-to-day challenges, these tips will help you build her confidence and strengthen her mental game.What's Covered in This Episode:How your words can shape your daughter's confidence on and off the field.Simple phrases to boost confidence during:Day-to-Day: Highlighting her positive qualities beyond her sport.Pre-Game: Encouraging focus with short, impactful phrases.Post-Game: Supporting her through wins and losses with the LOVE framework.How to validate your daughter's feelings without reinforcing negativity.The importance of combining parental support with your athlete's mental skills training.Practical examples like the “snapback routine” to help her bounce back from mistakes.Ready to Learn More? Listen to this episode for actionable strategies that will make a real difference in your athlete's confidence and resilience. Plus, find out how you can get access to a free training and a cheat sheet with 25 confidence-boosting phrases!Episode Highlights: [0:00] Introduction to boosting athletes' confidence through simple phrases.[01:00] Shoutout to Renata and her success using mental training tools.[02:00] Importance of combining verbal communication with athlete mental skills.[03:00] Overview of the key focus: day-to-day, pre-game, and post-game confidence strategies.[04:00] Encouraging athletes to develop self-trust and skills for overcoming setbacks.[05:00] Highlighting positive qualities outside of sports to build confidence.[06:00] Simple strategies like sticky notes and verbal affirmations for day-to-day encouragement.[07:00] Using the phrase "I believe you" to validate athletes' feelings.[08:00] Adjusting responses to support athletes without reinforcing negative self-talk.[09:00] Playful ways to engage teens and tweens in positive conversations.[10:00] Pre-game strategies: keeping phrases short and focused on what's in their control.[11:00] Examples of pre-game taglines and humor to ease nerves.[12:00] Post-game reflections: emphasizing effort and controllable factors over outcomes.[13:00] Supporting athletes' emotional processing after wins or losses.[14:00] LOVE framework for post-game confidence building: Let her lead, Open the space, Validate feelings, Encourage inward.[15:00] Examples of post-game questions to foster self-reflection and learning.[16:00] Athletes' post-competition routines to build confidence objectively.[17:00] Recap of day-to-day, pre-game, and post-game strategies with key takeaways.[18:00] Reminder to download the free PDF with 25 key phrases at trainhergame.com.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 DoVisit our podcast website for more great episodesThank you in advance for joining us on our mission and leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

Coach Bre chats with Kimberly, a busy mom of young athletes, about the small but powerful changes that transformed her approach to parenting in youth sports. After years of post-game frustration, Kimberly realized her reactions, especially after wins, losses, and mistakes, were affecting her kids' confidence and love for the game.✨ In this episode, you'll learn:How to celebrate effort over outcomes to build resilience

In this special episode, we're celebrating our very first Athlete of the Month inside the Elite Mental Game! Her story is one every athlete needs to hear.Kate, a field hockey player, opens up about the moment she almost quit her sport after what felt like a big setback. She shares how investing in her mental game helped her rebuild confidence, regain her love of playing, and come back stronger than ever.If your athlete has ever doubted themselves, felt stuck, or wondered if they're “good enough,” Kate's story will inspire them to keep going. She shares the exact mental tools that helped her turn failure into fuel, and ultimately make varsity as a freshman.Athletes and parents, don't miss this powerful conversation about resilience, belief, and what's possible when you train your mind just as much as your skills.Listen now and cheer Kate on! 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 DoVisit our podcast website for more great episodesThank you in advance for joining us on our mission and leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

If your daughter dreams of playing in college but you're overwhelmed by where to start, this episode breaks the process down into something clear and doable. Coach Bre talks with David Hitz, COO of Athlete Narrative, about what recruiting really looks like today and how your athlete can get noticed without expensive platforms or endless research.

If you are a mom who also coaches your daughter, this episode is a must-listen. This dynamic can be tricky , and it often leaves you questioning if it's helping or hurting your relationship. Learn the single most important rule to maintain and protect your bond, turning the experience into a positive one for you both!

What does it really mean to be tough when life throws something your training could never prepare you for?In this episode, Coach Bre sits down with Kelly Vo, Co-Founder of The Pink Ribbon Army and Ironman athlete turned cancer survivor, to talk about how the mental strength built in sport can transform how we face life's hardest battles.Kelly shares her powerful story of moving from competition to recovery and how mindset tools like visualization, self-talk, and focus helped her navigate chemotherapy and healing. Together, she and Coach Bre explore the deeper side of resilience, the kind that's rooted in vulnerability, community, and purpose.You'll learn:

Every athlete faces it—the big moment when the game's on the line and nerves kick in. In this episode, Coach Saylor shares powerful mindset tools to help athletes rise in those pressure moments instead of crumbling.You'll learn how to reframe pressure from something to fear into something to embrace, using simple, science-backed strategies your daughter can start practicing today.Coach Saylor dives into:

If your daughter has been dragging through games, feeling moody, or dealing with nagging injuries, it might not just be “teen stuff.” Her energy, focus, and confidence could be slipping because she isn't fueling her body properly.In this episode, Coach Bre sits down with sports dietitian Lindsey Cortes to talk about female athlete nutrition, including what to watch for, what to fix, and how to make it work in real life.Lindsey brings her experience as a former Division I athlete and mom to share what she sees most often in teen girls: some eat whatever is fast and convenient, while others try to eat perfectly healthy but end up not eating enough. Both can lead to low energy, fatigue, and even long-term issues with strength and recovery.She breaks down:⚠️ The biggest red flags to look for in your athlete's eating habits

Does it feel like nothing your daughter does is ever good enough? She may win a game, set a personal record, or master a new skill, yet still criticize herself. Perfectionism is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it can motivate athletes to improve, push harder, and reach higher goals. On the other hand, it can become overwhelming, causing emotional distress, frustration, and even avoidance of challenges. In this episode of Raising Elite Competitors, Coach Bre dives into the five key signs that your daughter may be a perfectionist and shares practical strategies you can use to support her.You'll learn how to identify these common perfectionist tendencies:1. Beating herself up after mistakes – Coach Bre explains how the “snapback” routine can help athletes quickly reset, regain focus, and continue performing without letting one mistake define the rest of their game.2. Never satisfied, even after wins – The episode covers ways to help your daughter practice gratitude, celebrate effort, and focus on progress instead of outcomes, reinforcing confidence and enjoyment in her sport.3. Avoiding risks or playing it safe – Coach Bre shares strategies for helping your daughter take healthy risks, gradually build confidence, and learn that mistakes are manageable and part of the journey.4. Big emotional reactions to mistakes – Emotional responses can be intense when performance feels tied to identity. Learn how emotional regulation, visualization, and mindful breathing can help athletes process setbacks.5. Tying self-worth to performance – The episode explores ways to develop a supportive inner voice, including daily affirmations and mindset practices, so your daughter can care about her performance without letting it define who she is.The insights shared in this episode give you the tools to understand your daughter's mindset, provide the encouragement she truly needs, and help her thrive with confidence, resilience, and joy on and off the field.Episode Highlights: [00:02:25] Your athlete struggles to move on from errors and spirals into negative self-talk. Coach Bre shares how the Snapback Routine, a quick two-second reset using breath, a power word, and a signal, helps athletes bounce back fast and stay focused.[00:08:40] Perfectionist athletes often play it safe to avoid failure. Bre explains how to help them build “risk-taking muscles” through low-stakes practice and praise for bravery over outcomes. The goal? Encourage effort, not perfection.[00:11:20] When performance feels tied to self-worth, even small errors can trigger tears or meltdowns. Bre shares how parents can anchor calm: validate feelings first, then gently redirect. Be her “calm in the storm” instead of rushing to fix it.[00:15:30] Perfectionism isn't all bad; it drives growth and high standards. The key is helping your daughter let go of self-criticism while keeping her motivation. Bre invites parents to the TrainHerGame.com free training for practical tools to help their athlete find confidence without the crush of perfectionism.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 DoVisit our podcast website for more great episodesThank you in advance for joining us on our mission and leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

Playing time can be one of the most emotional and confusing parts of sports for athletes and parents alike.You see your daughter working hard, but she's frustrated when she doesn't get minutes on the court or field. You want to help, but you're not sure how to do it without stepping in or making things worse.In this episode, Coach Bre shares practical ways to support your daughter when she's struggling with playing time, and how to guide her to confidently talk to her coach.You'll learn:✅ How to understand your team's playing time philosophy✅ How to help your daughter own her role and see her value beyond minutes played✅ What to do (and not do) when you're frustrated, too✅ Step-by-step conversation tips for your daughter to approach her coach✅ How to reframe tough situations into powerful growth opportunitiesYour daughter's worth isn't measured in minutes. It's reflected in her effort, her courage to speak up, and her growth through challenges.When she learns how to advocate for herself, she doesn't just earn more playing time. She earns lasting confidence.Episode Highlights: [00:00:00] Coach Bre sets the stage: Playing time is one of the most emotional, frustrating topics for parents and athletes alike.[00:03:10] Invitation to join the TrainHerGame.com free training, a gateway to the Elite Mental Game program designed to boost girls' confidence fast.[00:05:30] Inside look at how Bre's varsity team sets clear expectations and defines roles to help players feel valued even if they aren't starters..[00:09:20] Bre shares her own college story of being a blocking sub. This is proof that limited playing time doesn't equal limited impact.[00:11:40] Moms, check yourselves. Is it your frustration about playing time, or your daughter's? Honest self-reflection prevents emotional overreactions.[00:13:50] Encourage self-advocacy! Don't email the coach yourself. Let your daughter take the lead to build real-world communication skills.[00:15:00] How to prepare for “the talk” with her coach: plan ahead, reflect on strengths and areas to improve, and approach with curiosity, not blame.[00:17:00] Sample conversation starters: “Coach, can you help me understand my role?”, “What can I work on to contribute more?”[00:18:40] Prepare her for tough feedback and remind her to thank the coach for clarity. This is growth in action![00:20:10] Perspective check: Coaches make decisions for the team, not just one player. Parents can remind their daughters to see the bigger picture.[00:21:00] If the environment doesn't fit your daughter's goals, it's okay to seek a better team next season. Look for one that aligns with her needs.[00:22:00] Wrap-up: These hard conversations build confidence, communication skills, and resilience. Playing time might not change overnight, but her self-belief will.[00:23:00] Final encouragement: Remember, your daughter's self-worth isn't measured in minutes on the field but in her courage to keep showing up and speaking up.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 DoVisit our podcast website for more great episodesThank you in advance for joining us on our mission and leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.