There is nothing more frustrating than watching your athlete finally get a skill… only to lose it the very next day. One step forward, two steps back. Skills appear, then disappear, leaving athletes, parents, and coaches in a cycle of confusion and discouragement.

In this week’s episode of the PerformHappy Podcast, I’m diving into what I call “Yo-Yo Confidence” — that frustrating cycle of gaining and losing skills — and the hidden habits that actually make mental blocks worse.

As a gymnast, I lived this cycle myself. I was the one crying on the beam, terrified of going backwards, desperate to “just go.” That is why I am passionate about giving hope to the athletes who feel stuck and to the parents and coaches who want to help them.

Through years of coaching and mental performance training, I’ve identified eight common patterns that keep athletes trapped in their mental blocks. These patterns include everything from trying endless “tricks” to force yourself to go, to comparing yourself to fearless teammates, to refusing to take a step back when your brain clearly isn’t ready.

Here’s the truth: forcing, criticizing, or rushing never builds lasting confidence. In fact, it does the opposite. Confidence grows when athletes learn to listen to their brain, take smart steps back, and celebrate progress, no matter how small.

If your athlete is losing skills as quickly as they gain them, this episode will help you break the cycle. Together, we’ll reframe mental blocks as information — not failure — and show you how to create an environment where consistency and confidence can take root.

In this episode, Coach Rebecca talks about:

• The eight hidden habits that keep athletes stuck in mental blocks
• Why forcing yourself to “just go” backfires
• The danger of expecting to start where you left off yesterday
• Why celebrating small wins is the key to lasting confidence

“The worst thing you can do for a mental block is force it. The fastest way through is listening to your brain, starting where you are, and building trust one step at a time.” – Rebecca Smith

Learn exactly what to say and do to guide your athlete through a mental block with my new book "Parenting Through Mental Blocks" Order your copy today: https://a.co/d/g990Bur

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Write to me! Email: rebecca@completeperformancecoaching.com

Ready to help your athlete overcome fears and mental blocks while gaining unstoppable confidence? Discover the transformative power of PerformHappy now. If your athlete is struggling or feeling left behind, it's time for a change. Are you ready? For more info and to sign up: PerformHappy.com