All right. Hello, Elite Competitor community. Welcome back to our episode today. If we have not yet met, I'm Coach Saylor, I'm our head athlete coach inside of The Elite Competitor, and we're a company that specializes in mental training for competitive girl athletes. And today is a super special episode. We have our June athlete of the month. She is a part of our program called The Elite Mental Game, and so we are going to be hearing all about Zoe Roberts's story and how she has really been able to level up. So I'm really excited to sit down today with Zoe and hear all about her growth in her mindset and how she is using the skills from The Elite Mental Game to really outlast her competitors in her games. So Zoe, I want to turn it over to you. Could you give a quick introduction of who you are, what sports you play, what age you are, all of the things. Let's start there. Okay. So my name is Zoe Roberts. I'm going to be a freshman in high school, and I play basketball, volleyball, and track. Take me back a year ago, two years ago, what was your mentality before you even started The Elite Mental Game, before you even knew what mental training might have been? If I ever made a mistake when I was younger, all my pressure would go on me, and then I would overthink it, and I would be very frustrated and start crying it was, like, really pressure on me, and I hated it so much. I hated crying during games, and everyone would ask me, "Why are you crying?" I'm just like, "I'm frustrated. I've made a mistake, and not really going my way." Before I did the mental game my mom got me into, she would just talk me and just say, "Don't focus on the n- negativity, always think positive." And I've been doing better now. I'm not always being, like, on myself as much. I still make mistakes, but I don't cry as much. My emotions are way better than they re- Yeah were, like, two years ago. And I feel like I'm gonna get better when I'm in high school doing sports. I'm not gonna be that emotional wreck on the team yeah, totally. And yeah, Zoe, the reality is we all have emotions, right? We all are going to feel those emotions. And typically, when we're younger, when we haven't trained our mindset, we don't really know how to manage those emotions at all, and they just come out of us, they bubble up, and we erupt, right? And so- Yeah yeah, we feel frustrated, and then we cry. That's what's going to happen. And it is such a pivot when you are able to learn, okay, it's not an if I'm going to make a mistake, it's a when I'm going to make a mistake. Everyone is going to make mistakes, and I need to have a plan of attack because I don't want to let my emotions get the best of me anymore. I don't want to keep on just reacting and spiraling and going down that negative trap, and now I really want to take control and be able to move past my emotions, feel them, but in a way that is more helpful, and is helpful for, it sounds like probably you and your teammates and your family. Everyone kind of benefits from that. Yeah. What would you say, now that you have some mental training under your belt, what would you say is the biggest difference about how you show up and how you're playing in your volleyball, basketball, and track competitions? I'm, like, thinking of the future. I'm just like, I If I make a mistake, then I'm not gonna be all negative and stuff like that. I'd be like, "Oh, I got this." I'm, like, saying a whole bunch of positive things to myself. And I do a, I stretch and I think about the good things before I have a game or volleyball tryouts, anything like that. But I, if I, even if I make a mistake in tryouts or practice, I'm just like, "I, this is not gonna get ahold of me. I'm gonna be myself, and-" Keep making more mistakes. That's being like a human. Like- Yeah everyone makes mistakes. So I don't wanna get all emotional when I'm doing these tryouts, 'cause then people see me that way, and I don't want them seeing me how I am an emotional wreck. Yeah, totally. And thanks for sharing that, too. Literally everyone makes mistakes. It sounds cliche, but everybody is making mistakes. You are not going to be the only one. You don't have to be perfect in any way. But yeah, being able to move on a little bit quicker, and again, keeping your composure out there sounds like it's really been the difference maker for you. Which is super cool to see that you noticed, and you were like, "All right, I, I think I can, I think I can fix this. I think that I can improve from where I'm at right now, so I'm going to make it my mission to have it happen." And now you're able to come out on top, and it sounds like other people are, like, picking up on your energy and your mindset as well, which is awesome. One thing that I wanna talk about is the snapback routine, because you shared with us that you're a champion because even when getting frustrated after making mistakes in basketball or volleyball, you keep working hard and learning from those mistakes. I am guessing that your snapback routine has played a role in that. Which for those of you who are maybe listening or watching and don't know what the snapback routine is, it is about a two-second routine that you're able to do to bounce back from a mistake. So being able to stop the spiral in its tracks and pivot, which sounds like was huge for you. Because before, maybe you were dwelling on your mistake and- Yeah continuing to think about it, and now you are just focused on the future and having that next play mentality. Yes. So tell me what has been the biggest difference maker in being able to bounce back. Have you been using your snapback routine? Are there also other tools and tricks that you've been trying out in place of that? The snapback I have been, like I stomp my shoes or I, like I just shake my hands or I also have a thing where I do, like I see five things, I smell four things, like all the, like a five, four, three, two, one. Yeah. And then I take a deep breath and then breathe out. I have that. I always try to do that before a game or anything I do in sports, and that really calms me down and gets me ready to play. Yeah. I love that. The five, four, three, two, one, I call it the five sense countdown. And it sounds like you've realized that the present moment is the best moment that you can be in. You can't be stuck in the past. You can't be too far in the future. We want to have that next play mentality, but your peak performance is happening when you are present, when your mind is where your feet are at. Yeah. And I think that you have the stomping your feet as your snapback signal too with that. That's awesome. All right, Zoe. Tell me a little bit about your pre-game routine. My pre-game routine, I just, I don't really think negative, or I think about if that, oh, that girl made a mistake, like the game before me is making a mistake, I don't want to See how she's not getting all negative. She's moving to the next play, and I'm just like, "Oh, I want to be like that." And yeah, I just stretch, think about the positives, and just know that my family and friends are watching me when I play, and I don't want to let them down. Yeah. Yeah. So using kind of your support system as fuel- Yeah knowing that they're there for you as well, that they have your back. Yeah, that is super powerful, too, The first thing you said. I think most athletes get stuck in that comparison trap of they actually see another athlete crushing it out there, and they feel intimidated by that. And it sounds like you've done the opposite of, "All right, I see another athlete who is bouncing back quickly, who is not letting her emotions get the best of her. I want to be exactly like her. I want to be able to do that." So- Yeah using it as an, as inspiration, in a way. How cool is that? Do you have any tips or tricks that's been helpful for you to turn that comparison into inspiration? I just n- see it, and I'm just like, "Oh, like I could've been an emotional wreck right there," and kept thinking about that. Or like I get really down on myself, like before the mental game if I got subbed out right when I made a mistake. Like, I would think about that a lot, and she didn't get... She got subbed out, and she was cheering for her teammates. Like, she's still being positive. And- Yeah like I do that when I get, like subbed out, too, on the bench. I al- I cheer for my teammates. Even if, when they make a mistake, I don't bring them down. You should never do that to your teammates. Bringing them down is just like the worst part. Yeah. Totally. So constantly being a source of energy, a great teammate, a strong leader out there as well. And again, don't want to focus too much on other people, because you actually shared with us that you're doing these things. And so- Yeah I want to share with everyone your win that you submitted to us. And you said, "My win was learning how to not get so upset when I make mistakes in basketball and volleyball. I learned to focus on the next play instead of what went wrong, and I'm not going to try to stop my emotions from taking over when I get frustrated. I'm just going to learn how to not let my emotions affect my game. These mental skills help me stay more positive, play with more confidence, and be a better teammate, and my next goal is to keep improving and stay focused during games." So again, you really took it to heart of you're seeing other people, and is the best in your sport, and you were able to figure out how to do that. And now, honestly, Zoe, you are the example in your sports, right? Which is so cool to see that happen, and knowing that other people are now going to look to you and see, "Oh, wow, this girl is making mistakes, and she is continuing to adapt to them. She's just moving on. She's learning from them. She is continuing to play with really high energy and this hype, and being an awesome teammate out there." And I love that you are now being that role model for other people to catch onto. It's super cool to see- Yeah that happen. Awesome. Any other quick tips that you would give people about what they need to know about the mental game? Maybe they have no idea what mental training is, and any advice you would give them to just getting started with things I don't know if I have a lot of tips. I just focus on all the positive and just don't really think negative on yourself. That always ruins yourself, when you always think negative. That ruined my game, when I would always think about the mistakes and the what ifs. "Oh, I'm not gonna get there. I'm not gonna get a shot. I'm not gonna get a good hit." Like, just messes you up if you keep thinking about the negatives. Yeah, totally. And it's a tough thing to unlearn, basically. We have what's called a, a negativity bias, so we are wired to pay attention to the negative things. And so we have to work really hard against that. And yeah, finding the good, being able to flip the what if spiral, finding gratitude and the joy in your sport. All of those are super helpful tips. So you definitely have the tips, Zoe. Thanks for sharing those. Yeah. And then as we look forward, 'cause I feel like a theme of today's conversation has been, like looking forward, not dwelling on the past, but looking forward for. And from both of those things, like the sports and school things, it sounds like, one, you are up for the challenge. I love that you said, "I hope that it's going to be harder," right? And, "I'm excited to try new things." 'Cause a lot of people shy away from that. They're like, "Nope, I'm gonna stay in my comfort zone. I wanna just ease on by." So again, I think that is your, like true inner competitor coming out from you. And I love to hear that you're up for the challenge, that you're doing new things, you're getting outside of your comfort zone. And again, you are- Yeah driven. I love that. Is there anything, any challenges that you are already anticipating and actively working through? I know something you said was, like wanting to continue to improve your focus during games. What kinds of ideas do you have to be able to do that? Focused on the game and not, like being so social with everyone. Be in my mode and be ready. Be ready when I get a pass to shoot or when I drive, and get ready for a serve receive for volleyball. I just wanna be ready for that, and I'm thinking about, like what's gonna happen yeah, totally. So just anticipating those situations that you're going to be in. Yeah. And then yeah, staying in the present moment, being able to manage whatever is going to come your way. Yes. That's a really good plan. Awesome. Everyone who joined today and listened to Zoe's story, thanks for being here. I hope that it was inspiring and motivating. I know that I feel just so much more fulfilled through this conversation, so thank you, Zoe, for hopping on, having this conversation as well. And- Very much welcome Yeah. Thank you. And again, congrats on being our June athlete of the month. We're so excited to- Thank you celebrate you in our community. And any athletes who might be listening, I am guessing that you are also probably a competitor. So if you want to learn what type of competitor you are, we have a quiz, and so that's going to be in our description below, and you can learn what style of competitor you are. Are you a self-motivated grinder? Are you a pressure player? Are you a comeback player? I think that is going to be helpful knowledge for you to go out there and dominate in your sport. So take that quiz. Let us know what competitor style you are. And that is just a way that you can be leveling up and learning a little bit about the mental game as well.