Raising Elite Competitors
The GO TO PODCAST for Sports Moms raising confident girl athletes! Elite Competitor Co-Founder Coach Breanne Smedley (AKA Coach Bre) is all about empowering moms with the tools they need to strengthen their athlete daughter's mental game so she believes in herself as much as you do (and plays like it!). Whether you're a sports mom with lots of seasons under your belt, just getting started on this sports journey, or somewhere in between... think of this podcast as your go-to guide to helping your daughter navigate the ups and downs of her sports journey. If you feel like you've tried everything to build your daughter's confidence and often don't know what to say to support her (especially when she's being super hard on herself), then you're in the right place. Coach Bre and her guests break it down into actionable strategies that WORK so that you never have to feel stuck not knowing what to say or how to help your athlete daughter again. Through what you learn on the Raising Elite Competitors Podcast, you can ensure that your daughter's mental game and confidence is her biggest strength... in sports AND life!
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Raising Elite Competitors
What Age Should Your Athlete Daughter Start Mental Training?
I have been giving my daughter mental training lessons since she was 2 years old.
Every day, we practice affirmations:
I am strong.
I am confident.
I can do hard things.
I am unique.
Every day, we practice using our breath to help us through moments of frustration, anxiety, or fear.
Every day, we plan and imagine how we want our day to look like (and what we want to feel like).
Yep, these simple skills are absolutely training my daughter's mind.
And that's exactly what Mental Training is!
The training of our thoughts, behaviors, and actions to navigate any situation.
It's deciding that we have control over our thoughts and reactions.
It's declaring ahead of time through affirmation and visualization the athlete (and person) we want to be.
It's the ability to sit with uncomfortable emotions knowing that they are okay.
Mental training is using our minds to work for us to get us closer to our goals.
When is the perfect age to start this type of training in athletes? Here are some considerations:
Mental Training Should Be Started As Early As Possible
It's just like her sport. She starts learning body awareness. Ball handling skills. Dribbling in open space. Then around cones or with other people. Each stage of the game levels up her knowledge and experience, building on what was previously learned.
The parents of the younger athletes in our program report that they are so relieved that their daughters are learning these skills now, not later.
Mental Training Will Look Different At Each Stage of Their Journey
As athlete's grow, they apply these skills to situations as they level up. It's backwards to think that "once they get to a certain level, then they will develop the confidence they need."
They need to develop the skills first so they can then use them at those levels!
At Whatever Age, The Best Time To Work on Mental Skills Was Yesterday
The next best time is now.
You'll never regret teaching your daughter the power of her mind.
The ability to see that she has power to respond to situations, change how she thinks about things, and create the reality around her is a skill that can start at a young age.
Practicing awareness of self-talk and how to regulate nerves using breath and imagery is a key skill that experienced, high level athletes use.
If your daughter is between the ages of 10-18 specifically, then the Elite Competitor Program can be a useful tool to help build her foundation of mental skills. We find the sweet spot is between 12-15 years old.
Remember - your daughter's mindset is her biggest competitive advantage.
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Helpful Links:
- Check out our signature mental training program for female athletes: www.kristinabreanne.com/ecp
- Visit our podcast website for more on this episode
- Download the free resources we've created for you
- Join us inside our FREE Facebook Group - The Elite Competitor Society - for weekly Q&A, periodic trainings and challenges, and the support of an amazing community of moms, coaches, and the men who partner with us!
The BEST way to help us spread the word and get this information into the hands of millions of parents, coaches, and female athletes is by leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Thank you in advance for joining us on our mission!
