Performhappy With Rebecca Smith

Consistency in gymnastics can look so calm from the outside. But if you are the parent in the viewing room or in the car after practice, it often feels anything but calm. In this episode, I sit down with Asia Mape, four time Emmy winning sports producer and founder of I Love to Watch You Play, to talk about how parents can support their gymnasts without adding extra pressure.Asia’s whole mission comes from one simple line. I love to watch you play. Gymnasts are not asking for more corrections from their parents. They want you to feed them, be normal, clap, and then tell them you love them. That is it. When we actually ask athletes what they want, the answers are simple. The problem is that parents are often caught in fear about levels, scores, and the future.Asia explains why it is so easy for gym parents to slide into over coaching and stress. We spend money on meets, leotards, and privates. We drive long hours to and from the gym. We care deeply about their dreams. That mix can turn into car lectures, sidel

Fear and mental blocks can make it feel like your athlete is going backward. You see her working hard. You see her trying. And still, the skills are not sticking.If you are in that spot, you are not alone.When blocks seem to get worse, it usually means she is still in the awareness phase. She has not fully learned what her brain needs yet. Instead of asking why this is happening, start asking what it is teaching her. The hard days are full of clues. Have her reflect on what went well, what did not go well, and what she learned. That is where growth starts.When she hesitates or pulls back on a skill, that is her brain trying to protect her. You cannot force safety. Instead, ask one simple question. What can I do? Maybe that means a lower beam. Maybe it means a spot. Maybe it means going back a step and getting more safe reps. Confidence builds through repeated success, not pressure.Think of confidence like a bank account. Every small win adds to it. Every forced attempt that ends in fear takes away from it. Pr

Consistency under pressure can look effortless from the outside. But if you’ve ever stood there waiting to salute, you know it rarely feels that way. In this episode, I sit down with LSU freshman Haley Mustari to break down what actually creates that calm, confident performance.After watching her stick her first collegiate bar routine, I wanted to know what was going on in her mind. Her answer was simple: “Do your normal.” She is not trying to be extraordinary in the moment. She is trusting the reps she has already done.We talk about how visualization became part of her daily routine, not just something she turns on at meets. When mental skills are practiced every day, they feel natural under pressure. She also shares how she uses short, clear cues to stay focused one skill at a time, instead of letting her thoughts spiral.We explore failure, too. From a Level 9 bar routine that ended in a fall and a score of 1, to years of repetition that built real awareness, Haley shows how mistakes become information. Fru

Waiting can be one of the hardest parts of growth. When things feel uncertain or out of your control, the urge to figure it out now can be overwhelming. Patience rarely feels exciting, yet it is often the skill that determines whether you keep going or give up too soon.In this episode, I share why patience is one of the most powerful traits athletes and high performers can develop. I open up about my own struggle with impatience and the discomfort of not knowing how things will turn out. Like many athletes, I wanted certainty so I could feel safe and confident, but life does not work that way.I reflect on my own journey and how my path was far from linear. From childhood dreams to dropping out of college and eventually finding my way back to the work I love, progress required far more time, support, and patience than I ever expected. What felt like setbacks were actually part of the process.We explore the first key to patience: getting comfortable being uncomfortable. Building grit means continuing to show up

Watching your child struggle can be exhausting. You see how hard they are trying, yet small moments turn into big emotions, power struggles, or shutdowns. You may wonder why it feels so hard to stay calm when all you want to do is help.In this episode, I talk with calm parenting expert Kirk Martin about how parents’ emotions and reactions shape their children’s behavior and confidence. Kirk works with families raising strong willed and ADHD wired kids, and he explains why calm, confident leadership creates more change than control ever does.Kirk shares a pivotal moment from his own parenting journey. After a heated argument, he discovered his son was writing a school paper calling his dad his superhero. That moment revealed how deeply kids want connection and approval, even when behavior looks difficult or defiant.We discuss why yelling, nagging, and over managing often backfire. When parents stay regulated, set clear boundaries, and give kids ownership within those limits, power struggles decrease and kids a

Watching an athlete feel stuck can be painful. You see how hard they are trying. You see the fear and frustration building, and you may wonder why some kids break through while others stay trapped in the same place.In this episode, I talk with Dr. Suzanne Pottratz, senior mental performance coach at PerformHappy, about what actually helps athletes move forward. Suzanne works closely with kids who struggle with fear and mental blocks, and she explains why openness is often the key to change.Athletes who make big breakthroughs usually arrive willing to try something new. Many feel desperate after trying everything else, and that willingness leads to real progress. Even athletes who start out resistant can change when trust is built and they feel understood within the gym environment.We also discuss why some kids stay stuck longer. Often, it is not the athlete. It is the environment. Pressure from parents or inflexible coaching can slow progress, even when intentions are good. Lasting confidence requires alignme

It can be really confusing to watch your child work hard in gymnastics and still struggle with injuries, low energy, or stalled progress. You see the effort. You know how much they love the sport. And yet something just does not seem to be clicking.Many parents assume this is just part of gymnastics. That soreness, exhaustion, and constant setbacks are the price of training at a high level. When skills plateau or injuries keep coming back, it is easy to believe the answer is more grit or pushing through.In this episode, we talk about a piece that is often overlooked. Nutrition. Both Taylor Krippner and Dr. Brittany Lapinski share how being under fueled affected their energy, power, recovery, and overall enjoyment of the sport. Taylor describes feeling hurt all the time, having no energy, and relying on talent alone just to get through training. Even though she loved gymnastics, it stopped being fun.Dr. Brittany Lapinski reflects on growing up in a time when gymnasts often burned out young because their bodies

It can be really confusing to watch your child struggle in their sport when you are trying so hard to help. You care. You see how much it matters to them. So you encourage them, ask questions, and try to give advice that you think will help.But sometimes, that help does not land the way you expect.I talk to a lot of parents who feel stuck. They are doing everything they can to support their athlete, but their child seems more stressed, more frustrated, or less motivated. What feels like support to a parent can start to feel like pressure to the athlete.In this episode, I explain why this happens. As kids get older, especially in their teen years, they start to separate from their parents. Even kind and calm comments can feel heavier than they used to. Athletes may start to worry about disappointing their parents, even when no one is saying anything negative.When parents try harder to help, athletes often feel more pressure instead of less. That pressure can make it harder to enjoy the sport and harder to perf

Scores feel important in judged sports. They’re everywhere. On scoreboards, on social media, and in post-meet conversations. But the way we talk about scores can quietly shape how an athlete feels about themselves.I see this all the time when I work with teams. After a meet, I ask athletes what they’re most proud of. At first, they’re ready to answer. Then I say they can’t talk about scores or places. Suddenly, it’s hard for them to think of anything. That’s how early athletes learn to measure their experience by outcomes they don’t control.The problem is that scores start to feel like proof. Proof that the work was worth it. Proof that the money, time, and effort mattered. When the score isn’t what they hoped for, many athletes walk away feeling like they failed, even if they competed well.I once heard a story about a gymnast with intense performance anxiety. She had been falling meet after meet. Then one day, she stayed on every event. For the first time, she hit four for four. She was proud just to get thr

There is something really confusing about watching an athlete look great in practice and then struggle in competition. One week everything feels solid and confident, and the next it feels like their body stops cooperating. For parents and athletes, that shift can feel scary and frustrating, especially when nothing about the skills has actually changed.I talk with athletes and families all the time who ask the same question: Why does this keep happening? They know the skills are there. They have done them over and over in practice. But when the pressure is on, their heart races, their muscles tighten, and everything suddenly feels harder than it should.In this episode, I explain why competition creates such a strong reaction in the body. When something feels important, the brain treats it like a threat. The heart speeds up, breathing changes, and the body gets tense. This is not a sign that an athlete is weak or unprepared. It is a normal response that shows up when the brain thinks something really matters.Wh

There is something that feels really scary about taking time off from training, even when you know your body needs it. For many gymnasts and families, the holiday break comes with mixed emotions. Part of you is relieved to rest, and part of you is worried about losing skills or confidence right before competition season starts.I talk with athletes and parents every year who feel this exact fear. You have been working hard for months, and a few days away from the gym can feel like everything is on the line. That fear is very common in gymnastics and other year round sports, and it does not mean something is wrong with you or your training.In this episode, I explain why time off does not actually cause athletes to lose skills. What usually creates problems is what your mind expects to happen when you come back. If you expect to feel rusty or scared, your body often tightens up. Skills can feel off, thoughts start racing, and confidence drops. One small moment like that can grow into a bigger fear if you do not

There is something powerful about hearing a young athlete describe what it feels like to step into a moment they once only imagined. For Zoey Molomo, that moment came at 15 years old when she competed at Olympic Trials alongside the best gymnasts in the world. What stands out most is not just the stage, but the calm, joy, and perspective she brought with her into it.Zoey shares how her love for gymnastics started early, from being a kid who loved being upside down to watching Gabby Douglas in the 2012 Olympics and seeing what was possible. That spark carried her through elite training, big competitions, and the realization that she truly belonged at the highest levels of the sport.The conversation dives into the mental side of performance, including how Zoey learned to manage pressure by keeping competition simple. With the help of mental coaching, she reframed meets as just one more routine, developed tools to quiet overthinking, and learned how consistency is built through preparation and trust. She also re

There is something powerful about hearing an athlete talk about the moment their childhood dream becomes real. For Isabelle David, it started with wanting to flip like the older girls and never losing that spark. She chased big dreams even before she fully understood them, and that drive carried her all the way to the Jamaican National Team.Representing Jamaica at Junior Worlds was the moment everything clicked. Isabelle shares how she stood beside top athletes and felt a mix of pride and imposter syndrome. She realized she was doing the very thing she dreamed about as a young gymnast. That experience gave her confidence, focus, and a belief in herself that she still carries today.Her journey also shows the reality of setbacks. After committing to the University of Michigan, she got injured while competing for Jamaica. The fear of what might happen next was real, but she chose to trust her coaches, create a plan, and work step by step toward her comeback. Her story reminds young gymnasts, parents, and coaches

There is nothing more powerful than understanding what your brain is doing behind the scenes. So many athletes push through fear, anxiety, and overwhelm without ever knowing that their brain waves might be the real reason they feel stuck. When your brain is sending protection signals, confidence feels harder, focus slips, and even simple skills can feel impossible.Neurofeedback opens a window into that hidden world. In the conversation with Lisa Kramer, she explains how an EEG can reveal patterns that athletes carry every day without realizing it. Some brains stay in fight or flight even when there is no real danger. Others work so hard to stay alert that they never truly rest. These patterns can affect sleep, school, training, and the ability to stay calm under pressure.What makes neurofeedback so unique is that it teaches the brain how to regulate itself. As Lisa shares, the brain responds to real time feedback on a screen. When it moves toward healthier and more efficient patterns, the screen brightens and

Have you ever watched two young athletes rise through the hardest sport and wondered how they stay grounded through it all? Maybe you have seen your own gymnast pushing through pressure, comparison, or setbacks and you hope they will find the joy again. Every parent, coach, and young gymnast knows that feeling of needing something deeper to hold on to.In this week’s episode of the PerformHappy Podcast, I talk with Senior Elite gymnasts Annalisa and Malea Milton, twins who share a bond that has shaped every step of their journey. They are identical, but so different in personality. One is outgoing, one is quieter. One bounces back faster from bars, the other takes more time. Yet together, they lift each other, encourage each other, and stay steady through the intense world of elite gymnastics. Their story is full of wisdom for anyone who wants a healthier, more joyful path in this sport.They share how their faith helps them stay strong, how communication with coaches builds trust, and how important it is to kn

Have you ever watched your athlete work unbelievably hard and still wonder if their moment will ever come? Maybe you have seen them push through setbacks, fear, or comparison and you hope someday all that effort will pay off. Every gymnast and every sports parent knows that feeling of waiting for the breakthrough.In this week’s episode of the PerformHappy Podcast, I talk with Utah gymnast Sarah Krump, whose story is a powerful lesson in perseverance. Sarah grew up dreaming of competing for Utah, but when recruiting came around, the path did not unfold the way she imagined. She chose to walk on with no scholarship, trusting her gut even when the odds felt small.She shares how she struggled with confidence in her early college years, how comparison held her back, and how her coaches and sports psych team helped her return to the joy of her own gymnastics. Then she tells the unforgettable story of being thrown unexpectedly into the floor lineup and delivering a routine that changed everything. Her journey is ful

Have you ever wanted something so big that it scared you? Maybe your dreams feel exciting and terrifying at the same time. Every athlete, at some point, faces that moment where fear and possibility collide.In this week’s episode of the PerformHappy Podcast, I talk with Team USA skeleton racer Andy Whittier about what it really means to become fearless. Andy is in the run up to the Winter Olympics, chasing huge goals while training his mind as hard as his body.He shares his journey from college football player to elite skeleton athlete, racing headfirst down icy tracks at almost 90 miles per hour. We talk about how he uses visualization, trust, and mental training to stay calm when every instinct tells him to hit the brakes.Andy’s story is a reminder that fear is not something to get rid of but something to work with. True confidence comes from preparation, focus, and the courage to keep going even when your brain says stop.In this episode, you will hear• How Andy went from college football to Team USA skeleto

There is nothing more heartbreaking than watching an athlete lose the sport they love to injury. The pain is not only physical but also emotional. For many gymnasts, it can feel like their confidence disappears right along with their routines.In this week’s episode of the PerformHappy Podcast, I sit down with former BYU gymnast Rebekah Bean Ripley, known for her viral Barbie Girl floor routine. Rebekah shares her journey through back and ACL injuries, the long and emotional rehab process, and how she found her way back to joy in gymnastics.She opens up about the mindset shift that helped her release the pressure of outcomes and reconnect with the fun of performing. Rebekah’s story is full of hope and real tools for athletes working through fear and for parents trying to support them through tough seasons.We also talk about how Rebekah is now mentoring young athletes and giving back the encouragement she received during her own recovery. Her story shows that setbacks can lead to strength and that joy can retur

There is something truly powerful about a coach who sees more than just the athlete in front of them. Someone who understands that success is not just about medals but about growth, confidence, and character.In this week’s episode of the PerformHappy Podcast, I sat down with Geralen Stack Eaton, the new head coach of Cal Gymnastics, and discovered a coaching philosophy that every athlete and parent needs to hear. Geralen’s journey from a struggling gymnast to an NCAA national champion shaped the way she leads with compassion, purpose, and resilience.What makes her story so special is how she balances high expectations with genuine care. Through her experiences at Alabama and Minnesota, she learned that true success happens when athletes feel seen and supported, not just pushed to perform.One of the biggest takeaways from our conversation was Geralen’s belief that every challenge is an opportunity for growth. Whether it is overcoming performance anxiety, breaking through mental blocks, or rebuilding confidence

There is nothing more frustrating than watching your gymnast freeze on a skill they know how to do. One day it looks easy, and the next day, fear and hesitation take over. It can leave both of you confused and unsure how to help.In this week’s episode of the PerformHappy Podcast, I talk about the things that actually make mental blocks worse and what to do instead. Around this time of year, I call it Nervous November because fears seem to grow stronger and confidence can feel shaky. The good news is that there are small changes that make a big difference.The first mistake to stop making is taking long breaks from the skill. Avoiding it feels easier, but it only keeps the fear alive. Instead, find a safe version of the skill and work there. Confidence grows when your gymnast can stretch their comfort zone without feeling overwhelmed.The second thing to stop doing is trying to trick the brain. Fear is not something to fight or ignore. It is the brain’s way of saying, “Let’s slow down and check if this is safe.”