Ever watched your kids crumble under pressure at a competition? Yeah, been there. This episode is all about the ultimate game-changer: mental toughness training!

It's not about being born tough, it's about building mental strength! I'll share a personal story of my son's competition flop, to show you how important mental preparation is. I'll also share some awesome tips on mental toughness that'll have your kid's mind feeling like their biggest cheerleader, not their worst critic. So, let's dive in!

We argue that 80–90% of performance comes from the mind and share a simple, daily routine parents can run at home to build mental toughness in young athletes. A tough result at the Spanish Cup becomes the trigger for a five-part training system that turns pressure into focus.

• debunking the myth of being “born” mentally tough
• parents’ responsibility when teams lack time for mindset
• a competition story where thoughts derailed performance
• awareness as the starting line for change
• daily visualization tied to clear, controllable goals
• meditation to notice and release unhelpful thoughts
• rewriting stories to focus on what can be controlled
• journaling wins, lessons, and if-then plans
• commitment to short, consistent practice across the family

If you enjoyed this episode, like, subscribe, please leave me a review, share it with your friends, and remember it's really important for us to all work together

About This Podcast

It takes a village to raise a pro athlete.

For the first time ever this channel takes you behind the athlete’s ‘unspoken’ road what it really takes to raise athletes.

What to expect when you listen:

Real, Raw Truth

Laughter

The Struggles & Successes

ABOUT YOUR HOST:

Marina Kuperman Villatoro, a mama who is on a mission to help her sons reach their athletic (rock climbing) goals and dreams.

Connect and be Part of the Strategic Village

SIGN UP FOR THE LATEST UNCENSORED HACKS and TIPS

https://raisingproathletes.com/sign-up/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/raisingproathletes/

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@raisingproathletes

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@raisingproathletes

Website - https://raisingproathletes.com/

Today, I'm going to really open up about a topic that's close to home for many of us: the invisible battles that many extreme athletes face, the trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Find out how PTSD can sneak up on even the toughest athletes, and why it might not show up right away. Learn the red flags to watch out for so you can catch it before it takes hold.

• the high rate of PTSD among extreme athletes
• injuries in climbing and family impact
• delayed onset and subtle signs at home
• moving from defensiveness to curiosity
• research, therapy options, and medication choices
• practical language for support and de-escalation
• normalizing triggers in unexpected places
• inviting listener stories to build community

If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe, leave me a review, share it with your friends

About This Podcast

It takes a village to raise a pro athlete.

For the first time ever this channel takes you behind the athlete’s ‘unspoken’ road what it really takes to raise athletes.

What to expect when you listen:

Real, Raw Truth

Laughter

The Struggles & Successes

ABOUT YOUR HOST:

Marina Kuperman Villatoro, a mama who is on a mission to help her sons reach their athletic (rock climbing) goals and dreams.

Connect and be Part of the Strategic Village

SIGN UP FOR THE LATEST UNCENSORED HACKS and TIPS

https://raisingproathletes.com/sign-up/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/raisingproathletes/

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@raisingproathletes

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@raisingproathletes

Website - https://raisingproathletes.com/

Let's talk about the elephant in the room (or maybe the belay station) – your relationship with your partner! This episode is all about keeping the spark alive when your life revolves around raising champion athletes.

Do you remember why you fell in love with your partner in the first place? Juggling kids, competitions, and early morning belay duty – who has time for romance? Well, I’d love to share some tips on how to keep your relationship strong, even when your kids are the ones conquering the walls.

• naming the unspoken strain on couples in youth sports
• why a strong partnership lowers family tension
• examples of role imbalance and how to reset it
• simple rituals to reconnect without kid talk
• using boundaries to protect time together
• how happier parents shape calmer, braver athletes
• building a village to share rides and duties
• inviting listener strategies and experiences

If you guys enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, share, do the whole thing

About This Podcast

It takes a village to raise a pro athlete.

For the first time ever this channel takes you behind the athlete’s ‘unspoken’ road what it really takes to raise athletes.

What to expect when you listen:

Real, Raw Truth

Laughter

The Struggles & Successes

ABOUT YOUR HOST:

Marina Kuperman Villatoro, a mama who is on a mission to help her sons reach their athletic (rock climbing) goals and dreams.

Connect and be Part of the Strategic Village

SIGN UP FOR THE LATEST UNCENSORED HACKS and TIPS

https://raisingproathletes.com/sign-up/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/raisingproathletes/

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@raisingproathletes

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@raisingproathletes

Website - https://raisingproathletes.com/