Girls in Sports Grapple with Identity, Confidence Issues
Building Confidence in Young Athletes
Release Date: 05/21/2025
How Sports Kids Can Build Confidence Under Pressure
Building Confidence in Young Athletes
Andy Whittier knows how to cope with pressure. He transitioned from playing college football to representing the U.S. in the skeleton sport, a solo, head-first sled race down an icy track at speeds of up to 89 mph. At first, it was terrifying, he said. But with constant practice, he started making some “good, fast clean runs” and building confidence. Athletes can build confidence gradually through experience, discipline and stacking small wins over time. Repetition and practice are key, he said. Send episode ideas to Subscribe to this podcast on Learn more about host and writer...
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Motivate Sports Kids by Identifying Their Brain Type
Building Confidence in Young Athletes
P.J. Glassey, personal trainer, “biohacker” at , and author of Cracking Your Calorie Code, has identified 16 brain types that help determine how best to motivate athletes and boost their performance. Developed over a 5-year period, his 20-question brain type test–which combines psychology and fitness– helps people get fit with less reliance on willpower. Once Glassey identifies an athlete’s brain type, he provides motivation and fitness “hacks,” he said. To send podcast episode ideas, contact Subscribe to this podcast on Visit our Visit host Lisa Cohn at
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Overcoming Adversity in Youth Sports By Being "All In"
Building Confidence in Young Athletes
When sports kids face challenges such as injuries or mistakes, they're more likely to overcome them by being "all in"--committed to working hard and improving in their sport. Chad Dunn, CEO of Move Performance Center and former BMX racer, asks kids facing adversity, "Do you really want to do this?" The right answer, he says, is "Coach, I'm all in." A big challenge for sports kids is comparing themselves to others, especially when they focus too much on what other athletes are posting on social media, he says. His advice: Stop making comparisons. Send podcast episode ideas to Follow our ...
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When a Coach Seems to Pick Favorites in Youth Sports
Building Confidence in Young Athletes
Parents are very emotional about their kids' youth sports experience, and they're pouring a lot of money into youth sports. Because of these factors, they may feel that coaches favor other players when their kids aren't getting the playing time they want, said , a TEDx speaker, owner of JenFryTalks and sports geographer, which means means she studies how geographical factors, like terrain, influence which sports are played in specific areas. When are coaches playing favorites? How should coaches address kids' weaknesses? Does it make sense to favor young athletes who are coachable? Should...
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Anxiety Strikes When Sports Kids Can't Stay in the Moment
Building Confidence in Young Athletes
Teen athletes experience anxiety when they can’t be in the moment, said Kate Kelley-Schneider, a psychotherapist and sports mindset coach at Pure Health Center and Pure Sports Mindset. They are either stuck replaying a mistake over and over or looking to the future and worrying about the score. “They'll check out of the game from a mental perspective. That then shows up physically," she said. with podcast episode ideas Subscribe and rate this podcast on Visit our youth sports psychogy
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The Benefits of Neuroscience-Based Visualization Feedback for Young Athletes
Building Confidence in Young Athletes
What if young athletes could practice visualization and then receive feedback in real time that improves their performance? Konstantin Sonkin, a neuroscientist and founder of i-Brain Tech, uses neuroscience-based technology to help athletes boost focus and decision-making. Learn more about Dr. Sonkin at Submit podcast ideas . Subscribe and rate this podcast on Visit our youth sports psychology Read Lisa Cohn's sports parenting
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His Daughter Won 8 Medals in Dragon Boat Racing. Here's His Advice
Building Confidence in Young Athletes
Elite athletes from across the world competed in the 17th IDBF World Dragon Boat Racing Championships, and 14-year-old Ysabella won 8 medals in the junior division. Her dad, Rex Cajanding, who was involved in her training, gives tips to sports parents about how to help kids attain success--without burning them out. Submit podcast episode ideas: Subscribe to this podcast on Visit our
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Do Youth Sports Really Build Character in Athletes?
Building Confidence in Young Athletes
It's a myth that participating in youth sports will build character in youing athletes, say Brian Smith and Ed Uszynski, authors of "Away Game: A Christian Parent's Guide to Navigating Youth Sports." The problem: There are too many variables in youth sports to conclude that participating will build character. Referees are inconsistent. Coaches don't all have the same values. To build character, adults and mature young athletes need to identify and act on character-building moments, they say. Submit ideas for podcast episodes: Subscribe to this podcast on
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Why Youth Sports Bullying Programs Don't Work & How to Change Them
Building Confidence in Young Athletes
Forty-two percent of children report being bullied by coaches or physical education teachers. Common bullying programs don't work, said Tom Dahlborg, president and CEO of Dahlborg HealthCaring Leadership Group. Bullying can make kids depressed, anxious and even suicidal. Dahlborg is working to implement better anti-bullying programs, including creating a team culture that doesn't tolerate this behavior, establishing peer mentors and ensuring parents and adults are good role models. Send us podcast episode ideas to Subscribe to this podcast on Visit our youth sports psychology blog .
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When an Athletic Identity Hurts Kids in Sports
Building Confidence in Young Athletes
When athletes' identities are wrapped up in sports, they can experience pressure and high expectations. What's more, they might become disappointed if they go to college and are no longer the stars they were on their high school teams, said Zedralyn Butler, author of The Mental State of Sports and a former Division 1 basketball player. They can also be disappointed or depressed if they are injured or can no longer play sports. One suggestion from Butler: Athletes should try to rediscover the parts of their personalities they left behind when they became immersed in sports. Send us...
info_outlineResearch shows that girls' identities can get too wrapped up in sports, said Marlene Holmes, a mental health advocate, sports social worker and regional director at Netball America.
Girls also grapple with low self-confidence and challenges visualizing themselves as being successful and leaders in their community.
The Netball American program teaches middle school girls and boys netball as a vehicle for improving their communication and teamwork skills and boosting their self confidence.
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