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 performances

Follow 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 Quiz
• 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

Thank 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 Do
• Visit our podcast website for more great episodes

Thank you in advance for joining us on our mission and leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

🚨 Attention Sports Moms! 🚨

Is your daughter beating herself up over mistakes, doubting herself before she even steps on the field, or spiraling after one bad play? It’s time to stop the mental meltdowns and start building unshakable confidence. In this episode, we’re breaking down the 3 game-changing skills every girl athlete needs to become mentally strong, resilient, and ready to dominate – both in sports and in life.

What’s Covered in This Episode:

✅ Why mindset is everything: How your daughter’s thoughts control her performance (and how to fix negative self-talk).
✅ The Thought Wheel: A simple tool to help her break the cycle of negativity and choose empowering thoughts.
✅ The Sushi Conveyor Belt Analogy: Why she doesn’t have to accept every negative thought that comes her way.
✅ The Snapback Routine: A quick, fail-proof method to recover from mistakes faster than her sport requires.
✅ Why mistakes don’t have to ruin her game: How elite athletes bounce back instantly and stay in the zone.
✅ The #1 mistake parents make: Tying their daughter’s self-worth to her performance (and how to fix it).
✅ How to praise her the right way: Focus on effort, preparation, and who she is; not just her stats or wins.
✅ Real-life success story: How one athlete used mental training to place 3rd in a tournament despite being sick and exhausted.

Ready to transform your daughter’s mental game? This episode is packed with actionable strategies to help your athlete build confidence, handle setbacks, and perform at her best. Don’t miss it; listen to the full episode now and start raising a mentally strong girl athlete today!

P.S. Want more? Check out the free training at trainhergame.com for even more tools to support your daughter’s mental game!

Episode Highlights:

[00:00:22] The episode focuses on three key skills to build a mentally strong and confident girl athlete.

[00:00:59] We dive into three skills that help athletes bounce back from mistakes, handle setbacks, and avoid spiraling after one bad play.

[00:02:16] The daughter used her “snapback routine” to stay focused and persevere, proving mental training builds resilience, not weakness.

[00:04:00] Skill #1: Mastering her thoughts. What she thinks and focuses on directly impacts her performance.

[00:08:36] Athletes can choose productive thoughts like, “This is hard, but I can do hard things,” leading to better results.

[00:12:13] Skill #2: Responding to challenges, especially mistakes, with a “Snapback Routine” to recover quickly and stay in the game.

[00:14:41] The Snapback Routine: A quick reset method involving a breath, a reset word, and a grounding signal (e.g., snapping fingers).

[00:16:15] Skill #3: Separate who she is from what she does – praise her effort and character, not just her performance.

[00:18:25] Emphasize your daughter’s positive qualities outside of sports (e.g., kindness, humor) to build her identity beyond athletics.

[00:19:58] Closing. Encouraging moms to support their daughters’ mental game for long-term success.

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 Do
• Visit our podcast website for more great episodes

Thank you in advance for joining us on our mission and leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

💔 You know the moment: a few mistakes, slumped shoulders, glazed eyes, and she whispers, “I just can’t today.”

🧠 Her brain isn’t sabotaging her. It’s protecting her. Negative self-talk triggers the Reticular Activating System (RAS), making her believe the mistakes are true.

⚡ The Snapback Routine – quick mid-game reset:

1. Deep breath 🌬️
2. Reset word 🔁 (Focus, Go, Play)
3. Physical cue ✋ (tap leg, snap fingers, high-five)

😊 Confidence doesn’t need fake positivity. Neutral self-talk like “Next play” or “See the ball” keeps her grounded.

🤝 Supporting a teammate also helps—eye contact 👀, high-fives 🙌, or quick encouragement 💬 shift her brain out of panic.

❤️ As a Mom: You can’t fix every spiral, but you can equip her with tools to reset, bounce back, and stay confident under pressure.

🔍 Next Step: Try our free Athlete Confidence Quiz ✨ elitecompetitor.com/athlete to discover her competitor style, where she spirals, and tools to build mental strength.

🎧 For weekly tips, listen to the Raising Elite Competitors Podcast and explore The Elite Mental Game Program 💪.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00:00] Coach Bre shares a real-time moment from a recent volleyball tournament — the exact second a talented athlete spiraled after saying the four words that derailed her entire game.

[00:00:25] See how one negative statement (“I just can’t play today”) triggered hesitation, fear, and a full-game confidence collapse — and why our daughters’ words matter more than they realize.

[00:01:20] Learn what the brain’s Reticular Activating System (RAS) does when an athlete says “I can’t”… and how it works against her performance completely unintentionally.

[00:01:59] Discover a better mid-game response: why mistakes are normal — and how athletes can train themselves to rebound without spiraling.

[00:02:20] Meet the Snapback Routine: a simple, powerful pattern interrupt athletes inside The Elite Mental Game use to stop the mental freefall and shift back into confidence.

[00:02:49] Get examples of real reset words athletes choose (“present,” “focus,” “go,” “play,” “free”) and how pairing it with breath + a physical cue instantly centers them.

[00:03:40] Tips for staying present without pretending everything is perfect — and why the next play is always the most important one.

[00:04:23] See how physical touch (high fives, eye contact) and focusing on teammates help athletes snap out of overthinking and return to the present.

[00:04:55] Coach Bre’s core message: delete “I can’t” from your daughter’s vocabulary — it’s not that she can’t, it’s that her brain is trying to protect her.

[00:05:20] Why mindset is your daughter’s competitive advantage — and how a strong mental game can beat equal physical talent every time.

[00:05:40] Next steps for athletes who want to learn their personal competitor style and dive deeper into mental training tools.

Next Steps:

• For athletes who want to learn more about how to strengthen their 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

Thank 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 🏆
• Simple ways to shift language and routines that reduce stress for both parent and child 🗣️
• “Shine Time” moments to connect and reinforce positivity 💖
• How small mindset tweaks can lead to big improvements in confidence and enjoyment ⚡

Kimberly shares her journey using the Elite Mental Game program, showing that supporting your young athlete does not have to be complicated. Coach Bre dives into actionable tips for handling post-game emotions, fostering mental toughness, and keeping sports fun for your kids, without adding extra pressure.

Whether you’re a parent wanting to improve your approach, a coach guiding families, or just curious about youth sports psychology, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration.

Tune in to discover how small shifts in mindset and communication can help your child thrive on and off the field, while making your parenting journey calmer, more confident, and way more joyful. 🌟

Episode Highlights:

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

[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..

[00:15:00] “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

Thank you in advance for joining us on our mission and leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

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 Do
• Visit our podcast website for more great episodes

Thank 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.

💡 In This Episode:

✔️ Why “If she’s good enough, coaches will find her” is a myth
✔️ What coaches actually look for in an email
✔️ The biggest mistakes families make early in recruiting
✔️ How your daughter can send 100+ personalized emails quickly
✔️ A behind the scenes look at Athlete Narrative’s simple, affordable tool
✔️ When athletes should realistically start the process
✔️ Why D1 is no longer the only path
✔️ Real stories of athletes going from zero traction to real offers

Connect with David on IG at @athletenarrative and @theneuropro, or email him at david@athletenarrative.com.

🎧 Exclusive Offer:

Download The Recruiter App using our affiliate link to access the Elite Competitor pricing of $15 per month through November 30th.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00:18] Not sure if your daughter is too young to think about college recruiting? Coach Bre explains why understanding the process early builds calm confidence instead of confusion.

[00:01:10] Meet David Hitz, COO of Athlete Narrative and longtime mental performance coach.

[00:03:20] Where your daughter should actually start with recruiting. Hint: It is not creating a profile and hoping for the best.

[00:05:33] The first mistake almost every family makes. David explains how Googling for help leads parents straight into pricey programs that rarely deliver.

[00:09:42] Why Athlete Narrative designed the app to be simple enough for busy teens.

[00:11:00] Full walkthrough of the recruiting app. How the Radar Page works and how “Hope,” their AI, helps athletes send personalized emails fast.

[00:13:09] The hidden risk of bulk emailing coaches through big platforms. David explains how it can damage credibility and trigger spam filters.

[00:19:00] Real success story. One athlete went from zero interest to multiple offers within a few months.

[00:21:47] When athletes should start using the app. What freshmen, sophomores and juniors need to know.

[00:24:10] Why Athlete Narrative refuses to trap families in a platform. You keep all your coach emails even if you cancel.

[00:25:20] The price every parent wants to know. David explains the surprisingly affordable monthly cost.

[00:26:05] Why The Elite Competitor partnered with Athlete Narrative. Shared mission, shared values, and the same desire to protect girls confidence.

[00:29:33] Another athlete success story. More than 350 emails sent and a commitment to Biola University.

[00:30:52] Final details and access to the Elite Competitor community discount before the price increases.

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 Do
• Visit our podcast website for more great episodes

Thank you in advance for joining us on our mission and leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

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!

🎯 Key Takeaways from Coach Bre

• Acknowledge the Difficulty: If your daughter is in middle or high school, acknowledge that being the coach's kid is a tough situation with more scrutiny.
• Mom vs. Coach: Mom is comfort and security, while Coach is correction and strategy. Be clear about when she is hearing each voice.
• The Matrix Activity: Create a matrix with your daughter to define what "Mom sounds like" and what "Coach sounds like" in different scenarios (like pre-game, post-game, and timeouts).
• Give Her the Choice: Identify settings, like the car ride home, where she gets to choose if she wants to hear from Mom or Coach.
• The #1 Rule (Sacred Space): Create a sacred space (like the dinner table) that is off-limits to talking about the game. This is essential for preventing burnout and protecting the relationship.
• The Most Important Thing: Remember your relationship with your daughter is the most important thing, so always be checking in.

Is the car ride home causing you more stress than joy? The Elite Competitor Program is the playbook for sports moms. We equip you with the tools to guide her to confidence.

We help sports moms strengthen their daughter's mental game so she believes in herself as much as you do. Learn more about the Elite Mental Game program, which teaches athletes skills to show up confidently and deal with the ups and downs of their sport.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00:00] Learn the #1 rule for coaching your own daughter to keep the experience positive and preserve your relationship, addressing the tricky coach/mom dynamic.

[00:00:22] A shout-out to Kim, a mom in the ECP community, who experienced a "transformational" car ride home after completing Phase One of the mental training program with her daughter.

[00:01:08] Discover how the ECP's mental training program teaches athletes skills like showing up confidently and recovering from mistakes faster, preventing them from "crumbling" on the car ride home.

[00:02:41] Understand the fundamental difference: Mom = comfort and security, Coach = criticism, correction, and coaching. Older athletes often get these roles "crossed."

[00:03:10] The most tangible activity to separate the roles: Create a "mom/coach matrix" with your daughter to define what each role sounds like in specific scenarios.

[00:04:35] Establish situations where your daughter gets to choose her communication mode (Mom or Coach), such as the car ride home (e.g., using a scrunchie as a visual signal ).

[00:04:50] The #1 rule to protect your relationship: Create a sacred space where talking about the game is off-limits to prevent burnout and a tough dynamic.

[00:05:50] A critical final reminder: Your relationship with your daughter is the most important thing, so constantly check if coaching is helping or hurting it.

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 Do
• Visit our podcast website for more great episodes

Thank you in advance for joining us on our mission and leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.