Unstoppable Athlete - Mental Resilience for Teen Athletes

#36 - Coaches Kids - The Good, the Hard, and the Unexpected S2.18

What happens when the person driving you to practice is also the one running it? In this special roundtable discussion, Michelle sits down with three athletes—Callie, Emmy, and Jena—to explore the unique experience of being coached by their mothers. The athletes share honest insights about receiving feedback from a parent, navigating the blurred lines between coach and family, dealing with teammates’ perceptions, and learning to separate volleyball conversations from everyday life. While they acknowledge the challenges of heightened expectations and constant proximity, they also reveal the deep gratitude they feel for the time, commitment, and opportunities their moms have provided. Ultimately, the conversation highlights how parent-coach relationships, when built on communication, patience, and mutual respect, can strengthen both athletic development and family bonds. Top 3 Takeaways 1. The hardest part isn't the coaching—it's separating "Mom" from "Coach." 2. Parent-coaches often push their own children the hardest. 3. Communication and boundaries make all the difference. "If you wouldn't say it to another player, don't say it to your kid." — a powerful lesson that emerged from the discussion and a reminder for parent-coaches striving to balance accountability with empathy.

#35 - 5 Green Flags of a Great Coach (Hint - its Not About the Volleyball) S2.17

Fresh off a weekend of graduations, Sara and Michelle reflect on the relationships, life lessons, and lasting impact that sports can have on young athletes. What begins as an emotional conversation about watching their athletes step into adulthood evolves into a powerful discussion about what truly makes a great coach. From caring about athletes beyond their performance and teaching accountability, to developing every player—not just the stars—and helping young people build confidence, resilience, and character, this episode explores why the best coaches shape lives far beyond the court. Whether you're a coach, parent, or athlete, this conversation is a reminder that the scoreboard fades, but the lessons, relationships, and personal growth remain.  Top 3 Takeaways 1. Not about the volleyball - relationships, teaching life skills through sport 2. Accountability 3. Matching commitment - is your athlete meeting the opportunities the coach is providing

#34 - Beyond “Good Job”: Building Confidence Through Honest Feedback S2.16

Many well-meaning parents and coaches believe confidence comes from praise, but confidence is actually built through effort, growth, and overcoming challenges. In this episode, Sara and Michelle explore the difference between empty praise and meaningful feedback, and why constantly telling athletes they’re amazing can sometimes undermine their development. Instead, they discuss how to recognize and reward the behaviors that truly matter—showing up consistently, embracing hard work, learning from mistakes, and responding to setbacks with resilience. By shifting the focus from outcomes and natural talent to effort and growth, parents and coaches can help athletes develop authentic confidence, stronger self-talk, and the belief that success is something they can create through their actions rather than something they either have or don't have. Inspired by lessons from successful athletes and teams, this conversation offers practical ways to foster a growth mindset that supports both performance and personal development.  Top 3 Takeaways 1. Praise attitude and effort to create growth mindset 2. Inquire with your athletes to guide them how to excel in the role they have 3. Let go of bad days and keep out of the perfectionist mindset

#33 - The Real Win: What Nationals Taught Us About Success, Sport, and Life

Fresh off what may be her final Nationals as a youth volleyball coach, Sara reflects with Michelle on the lessons that mattered most—not the wins and losses, but the growth, resilience, and relationships built along the way. They discuss how controlling attitude and energy as coaches shaped their athletes’ experience, why fun and team culture matter more than the scoreboard, and how sport continues to teach life skills that extend far beyond the court. From overcoming adversity and embracing growth to finding your people and developing a lifelong love of sport, this episode is a heartfelt reflection on what success really looks like when the season comes to an end.  Top 3 Takeaways 1. As coaches we have to control our attitude and energy while holding the vision of what the team and the players can be 2. Life skills from sport! Find your people and do hard things 3. Lifelong love of sport is the real goal. While school is 3-6yr of playing, Michelle has had over 20+ years of adult sport BONUS - its all about the relationships

#32 - When Your Teen Pulls Away: Why Coaches, Teams, and Strong Women Matter

In this episode, Sara and Michelle explore the tender and tricky stage of adolescence, when teen girls naturally begin pulling away from their mothers while forming their own identities. Through the lens of coaching 12- to 16-year-old athletes, they discuss why girls need strong adult women outside their family, how sport provides healthy role models and peer examples, and why parents need to guide—not “lawnmow”—their kids through discomfort. For parents, this conversation is a reassuring reminder that the push-pull of the teen years is normal, and that teams, coaches, captains, and trusted adults can help girls build independence, confidence, communication skills, and resilience.  Top 3 Takeaways 1. Pulling away is developmentally appropriate, as a mom we can hold space to allow this process  2. Healthy role models, like your athletes female coach, team mom and older team mates can be very valuable 3. Supporting our children through the challenging times when things may not be going their way, acknowledging the emotion but allowing them to find their own ways through