In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast, I talk about how parents can support their gymnasts through mental blocks, slow progress, and moments when skills seem to disappear. When your child is struggling, it can be hard to stay patient, especially when you see their frustration and worry about their confidence, future, or love for the sport.

I explain why parental frustration often comes from fear and how recognizing those feelings can help you respond differently. We explore growth mindset, why pushing harder doesn't always help, and how finding new strategies and the right support can make a difference. I also share why stepping back to easier progressions is not failure, but an important part of helping a gymnast rebuild control and confidence.

We talk about what to say when your gymnast has a difficult practice, how to celebrate small wins, and why asking curious questions can be more helpful than asking whether they got their skill back. I also discuss the importance of allowing your child to experience disappointment without immediately trying to fix everything for them.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why mental blocks can cause skills to regress
• How parents can manage frustration and fear
• Why taking a step back can help gymnasts move forward
• How to support your gymnast without adding pressure
• What to say when your child feels discouraged
• Why your reaction to setbacks shapes your child's mindset
• How to build resilience by allowing space for difficult emotions

This conversation is a reminder that your gymnast needs more than help getting a skill back. They need to know that they are loved and supported regardless of their performance. When parents learn to sit with their child's struggles, celebrate small steps, and trust the process, they help build confidence and resilience that extend far beyond gymnastics.

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

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complete_performance/

Join my FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/completeperformancecoaching/

Check out my website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

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

In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast, Coach Rebecca answers a question from a parent whose seven year old gymnast has been stuck on her round off back handspring for nearly a year. Although she can do the skill with a small amount of support, she freezes when that support is removed.

Rebecca explains why this may not be a matter of unwillingness, but an actual mental block where the brain detects a threat and stops the body from moving forward. She shares why changing the language from “unwilling” to “unable” can help parents better understand what their gymnast is experiencing.

We talk about why progress with mental blocks is rarely linear, how parents can develop and model a growth mindset, and why tiny steps forward still count as real progress. Rebecca explains the importance of building more “rungs” into the progression instead of expecting a gymnast to jump from a full spot to no spot, and how gradually reducing support can help the brain feel safe.

She also discusses the role of coaches, different learning styles, checking technique, and why parents should praise effort, resilience, and small wins instead of focusing only on whether the skill has been achieved.

In this episode you will hear:

• Why a gymnast may freeze even when she is physically capable
• How parents can respond to mental blocks without adding pressure
• Why small progress is still progress
• How to build confidence through gradual progressions
• The importance of a growth mindset for athletes and parents
• How coaches can help gymnasts move through their comfort zone
• Why understanding how a child learns can make a difference

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

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complete_performance/

Join my FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/completeperformancecoaching/

Check out my website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

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

In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast, I talk about what happens when a gymnast has lost trust in their coach and how parents, athletes, and coaches can work together to rebuild that relationship. We explore why trust does not happen automatically and how small, positive experiences can slowly fill up what I call the “trust bin.”

I also talk about why neurodivergent gymnasts can sometimes be misunderstood in the gym. Sensory overload, executive function challenges, rejection sensitivity, and difficulty with transitions can look like defiance, lack of effort, or attitude when a gymnast is actually overwhelmed.

We discuss how parents can help coaches understand their gymnast by creating an “operating manual” that explains what overwhelm looks like, what helps, and what does not. I also share why communication needs to be a partnership rather than a parent telling a coach how to do their job.

In this episode you will hear:

• Why trust between gymnasts and coaches takes time
• How trust can be built through small positive experiences
• Why neurodivergent gymnasts may respond differently in the gym
• How sensory overload can affect a gymnast’s behavior
• Ways parents can help coaches better understand their gymnast
• Why regular parent, athlete, and coach check ins can help
• How communication can create a stronger team around the gymnast

This conversation is a reminder that when a gymnast feels misunderstood, the answer is not always to push harder. With patience, communication, understanding, and the right support, athletes and coaches can begin rebuilding trust and creating an environment where gymnasts feel listened to, supported, and able to thrive.

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

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complete_performance/

Join my FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/completeperformancecoaching/

Check out my website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

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