Performhappy With Rebecca Smith

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.”