Performhappy With Rebecca Smith

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.”

There is nothing more painful than watching your athlete lose their love for the sport they once adored. The stomach aches before practice, the tears in the car, the fear that never used to be there. It breaks your heart.In this week’s episode of the PerformHappy Podcast, I’m talking about toxic training environments. These are gyms where kids feel scared, anxious, or unsafe. Places where yelling and shaming are mistaken for motivation.Every week, I talk to athletes who believe this is just the way it is. But it does not have to be. You cannot build confidence when you feel emotionally unsafe.So how do you know when a gym crossed the line? It might look like being told to perform while injured. It might look like you are being ignored because you are not the favorite. Or it might feel like being afraid to speak up because you fear retaliation. These are not tough coaching moments. They are red flags.If your athlete dreads practicing or feels small and scared, please listen. Those feelings matter. Healthy gyms

If you have ever experienced the twisties, you know how overwhelming they can be. The twisties are a type of mental block that make even familiar skills feel impossible. One day everything flows, and the next your body and brain no longer feel in sync. It can be confusing, frustrating, and lonely.That is why this week’s episode of the PerformHappy Podcast is so special. I talk with Sarah and her mom Jennifer, who both share their journey of working through the twisties together. Sarah opens up about what it was like to face this mental block head on and the steps that helped her come out the other side more confident than ever. Jennifer shares her honest perspective as a parent supporting her daughter through the ups and downs, offering thoughtful insight that so many parents will relate to.Sarah is now preparing for an incredible Level 10 season, and her story is full of real, practical steps that made a difference for her. Jennifer’s words bring a parent’s heart and wisdom to the conversation, showing what

Ever noticed your brilliant, sensitive gymnast getting stuck in their own head? You’re not alone. As a sports psychology expert, I’ve seen countless smart kids struggle with mental blocks, and today I want to share some hope and practical advice. What Makes Smart Kids Different in Sports Intelligent athletes often have some common traits:They’re incredibly talented.They move quickly through skill levels.They love their sport deeply.They’re sensitive and cautious.They set incredibly high standards for themselves.Sound familiar? These qualities are actually superpowers when understood correctly. The Science Behind Smart Kids and Anxiety Research shows that intelligent kids have more active imaginations. This means they’re amazing at problem solving but also incredible at imagining potential problems. Their brains are wired to detect threats quickly, which kept our ancestors safe but can create mental roadblocks in sports. Turning Overthinking into a Strength Here’s the good news: overthinking can become your ch

There is nothing more painful than hearing words that cut into your confidence. Maybe someone told you that you will never get that skill, or that you are not good enough, or that you are holding the team back. Even if you try to ignore it, those comments can sit in your mind and make you question yourself again and again.In this week’s episode of the PerformHappy Podcast, I want to help you and your gymnast handle those moments. Bullies can show up as teammates, as coaches, or even as the little voice inside your own head. And sometimes the inner bully is the hardest one to deal with because you cannot walk away from your own thoughts.Here is the good news. You do not have to let those voices decide who you are or what you are capable of. Professor Jaime Hamilton, a communication expert, shared a strategy that I love. Instead of arguing with a bully, you interrupt them with something completely unexpected. Imagine a teammate makes a mean comment and instead of shrinking or snapping back, you calmly say “pine

There is nothing more frustrating than watching your athlete finally get a skill… only to lose it the very next day. One step forward, two steps back. Skills appear, then disappear, leaving athletes, parents, and coaches in a cycle of confusion and discouragement.In this week’s episode of the PerformHappy Podcast, I’m diving into what I call “Yo-Yo Confidence” — that frustrating cycle of gaining and losing skills — and the hidden habits that actually make mental blocks worse.As a gymnast, I lived this cycle myself. I was the one crying on the beam, terrified of going backwards, desperate to “just go.” That is why I am passionate about giving hope to the athletes who feel stuck and to the parents and coaches who want to help them.Through years of coaching and mental performance training, I’ve identified eight common patterns that keep athletes trapped in their mental blocks. These patterns include everything from trying endless “tricks” to force yourself to go, to comparing yourself to fearless teammates, to r

There is nothing more frustrating than setting a goal, working hard for it, and then feeling like you are getting nowhere. You show up, put in the effort, and instead of building confidence, you leave practice more discouraged than when you started.In this week’s episode of the PerformHappy Podcast, I’m breaking down why so many athletes get stuck in this cycle and how to set goals that actually move you forward. Instead of focusing on what is “wrong” or what you “can’t do,” I’ll show you how to reframe your goals so that they build confidence, not fear.At a recent Confident Gymnast Clinic, I worked with a gymnast who swore her switch leaps were terrible. She wanted to “fix” them because they were “bad.” After a few reframes, her goal shifted to simply getting better at her switch leap. That change in language, paired with a focus on small, specific improvements, completely transformed her progress. Within ten turns, she went from discouraged to confident on high beam.This is the power of focusing on what you

This week on the PerformHappy Podcast, I had the privilege of chatting with international elite gymnast Céleste Mordenti, the first gymnast from Luxembourg to ever win a FIG World Cup medal.Céleste’s journey hasn’t been an easy one. As a young gymnast, she rose quickly through the ranks, representing Luxembourg at European and World Championships. But behind the medals and the spotlight, she battled the same struggles so many gymnasts face — fear, mental blocks, and the pressure to be perfect. At one point, she couldn’t even bring herself to swing giants, a skill she’d done for years.In this episode, Céleste opens up about what it really takes to build lasting confidence. She shares how changing environments, learning to step back, and redefining progress helped her shift from panic and frustration to a place of trust in herself and joy in her sport again.What makes her story so powerful is that she proves confidence isn’t something you’re born with — it’s something you can build, no matter how stuck or scare

This week on the PerformHappy Podcast, I’m talking with Utah gymnast Avery Neff — a rising star whose journey proves that resilience, mindset, and belief in yourself can take you further than raw talent ever could.Avery wasn’t always the clean, confident athlete you see competing on the NCAA stage today. She started as a “floppy” gymnast, throwing skills with no fear but little form. With the help of her coaches, her relentless drive to prove herself, and a mindset shaped by her fearless family, she turned those early struggles into the foundation of a championship career.In this episode, Avery shares how she developed her growth mindset, how she pushed through one of the toughest moments of her career — spraining both ankles her freshman year — and how she worked her way back when everyone thought her season was over. She also opens up about the importance of setting big goals, visualizing success, and finding joy in the process, even when fear or setbacks creep in.Whether you’re an athlete learning to push

This week on the PerformHappy Podcast, I’m talking to parents who are navigating one of the hardest parts of raising athletes: watching your kids struggle with disappointment, pressure, and even toxic coaching environments.As parents, our instinct is to protect our kids from heartbreak and setbacks. But what if the very challenges we want to shield them from are the ones that help them build resilience for life? Using clinical psychologist Dr. Becky Kennedy’s “bench” analogy, I share how letting kids sit with their disappointment — instead of rushing to fix it — prepares them for the bigger benches of adulthood, from heartbreak to career setbacks.I also dive into an important and difficult topic: what to do if your child’s coach crosses the line into emotional abuse. I share guidance on how to recognize red flags, when to approach a coach, and when to go directly to gym owners or SafeSport.Whether you’re supporting your child through a tough season, or wondering how to handle an unsafe coaching environment, t

This week on the PerformHappy Podcast, I’m talking to athletes and parents who are in the thick of it — setback after setback, injury after injury, and feeling like the dream is slipping away. If that’s you, I want you to meet Arya and her mom, Sara.Arya spent years navigating injuries, mental blocks, and environments that didn’t bring out her best. She battled fear of re-injury, lost skills, and even walked into the gym in tears some days. Through it all, she held onto her dream of competing college gymnastics.In this episode, you’ll hear how Arya went from feeling stuck and unsupported to thriving in a new gym environment, regaining her skills, and finally achieving one of her biggest goals: competing at Eastern Nationals.Whether you’re an athlete facing challenges, a parent supporting one, or a coach looking to help your gymnasts overcome obstacles, you’ll walk away with powerful lessons about resilience, environment, and finding joy in the sport again.In this episode, Arya, Sara, and Coach Rebecca talk ab

This week on the PerformHappy Podcast, I’m talking to athletes who are stuck. You know you’re capable of doing the skill—you’ve done it before—but for some reason, it’s just not happening right now. Maybe you’re dealing with the pressure of move-ups, recovering from a past fall, or your brain is simply hitting the brakes. You’re not alone, and there is a way through it that doesn’t involve just pushing harder or trying to force your way over the mental block.In fact, trying to "just do it" is usually the opposite of what works. In this episode, I’m sharing what actually helps: starting with ditching perfection, tuning into what your brain needs, and building momentum through small wins. Whether you're the athlete going through it, or a parent or coach supporting someone who is, you’ll walk away with clear, actionable tools to make progress—even when progress feels slow.In this episode, Coach Rebecca talks about:How to shift your focus from perfection to progressThe power of treating each turn l

This week on the PerformHappy Podcast, I’m sharing one of my favorite topics: the “camp magic” that gives athletes those powerful bursts of confidence, and what you can do when that confidence disappears back at the gym.Whether it’s a breakthrough skill at camp or a fearless moment at competition, those experiences can feel like superpowers. But why don’t they last? I’ll explain what’s actually going on in the brain when athletes are in fresh, positive environments, and how you can capture that feeling and bring it home.If your athlete has ever done something brave at camp or at a meet, only to freeze again in practice, this episode is for you.In this episode, Coach Rebecca talks about:What “camp superpowers” are, and why kids often break through blocks in new environmentsThe science behind how your environment impacts confidence and fearWhat to do when confidence fades once your athlete is homeHow to identify your “camp alter ego” and show up as them every day“If you want consistent confidence, you have to f

This week on the PerformHappy Podcast, I’m sharing the simplest way to build confidence, even if you feel like you don’t have a single extra minute.So many athletes and sport parents tell me the same thing: “I want to feel more confident, but I’m just too busy to add one more thing to my day.”Trust me, I get it. Between school, sports, work, and everything else, life is full. But what if I told you that just 10 minutes a day could actually rewire your brain for more confidence, happiness, and success?In this episode, I’m walking you through the exact mental routine I use every single day. It’s fast, backed by research, and it works, even for the busiest athletes and parents.Whether you're an athlete trying to rebuild trust in yourself after a setback, or a parent looking to support your child’s mental game without overwhelming them, this episode is for you.In this episode, Coach Rebecca talks about:Three brain-based strategies that take just a few minutes a dayHow small daily shifts in mindset lead to bi

This week on the PerformHappy Podcast, I’m talking directly to sport parents (but athletes, don’t tune out just yet!). I had two parents in our community share the same concern: “I don’t want to say the wrong thing.” They love their kids, they want to help, but they’re afraid they might accidentally be making things worse.So in this episode, I’m sharing what I’ve learned about how to actually support your athlete, without adding pressure, without creating shutdowns, and without walking on eggshells.This is something I dive deep into in my Peak Performance Parenting course, but today I’m giving you the Reader’s Digest version so you can start building trust, connection, and resilience with your athlete right away.Whether you're a parent wondering how to be encouraging without pushing too hard, or an athlete who just wants to feel understood, this conversation is for you.In this episode, Coach Rebecca talks about:The different stages of change, and why “helpful” advice doesn’t always landHow to know when y

This week on the PerformHappy Podcast, Coach Rebecca dives into a powerful Q&A session centered around one of the most difficult crossroads in an athlete’s journey—deciding whether to keep going or walk away from their sport. Whether you’re deep in upgrade season, dreading practice, or feeling the spark fade, this episode offers clarity and compassion for athletes (and their parents) navigating burnout, fear, and identity.Coach Rebecca shares personal stories from her own gymnastics career, candid conversations with athletes, and the key questions every gymnast should ask before making a decision they might regret—or celebrate.Whether you're the athlete considering a change, or the parent watching your child wrestle with uncertainty, this episode is a must-listen.In this episode, Coach Rebecca talks about:What to do if you’re falling out of love with your sportThe difference between burnout and being truly doneHow fear, pain, or pressure can cloud your decision-makingWhy it’s okay to redefine what yo

Has your athlete suddenly developed a fear of a skill they’ve done a hundred times before? You know they can do it physically, but something’s holding them back… and no matter what you try, nothing seems to help.In this week’s PerformHappy podcast episode, I’m diving into three hidden warning signs that you, as a well-meaning parent, might accidentally be keeping your athlete stuck in fear. Maybe you’ve tried everything: encouragement, time off, stepping back, even considering a new sport, but they're still shutting down.This isn’t about blame. It’s about awareness.Because here’s the good news: the way you show up can make a difference. In fact, when you shift your approach, you can have a profound impact on their confidence and ability to overcome fear.Tune in now to find out if you’re part of the problem or the solution and how to make that shift.In this episode, Coach Rebecca talks about:Warning Signs of Overparenting in Athletes The Impact of Parental Pressure on Athletes.Dealing with Parental Impati