The Gymnastics Mindset Academy Podcast

Gymnastics Mindset Academy
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Mental Health
  • Weekly

Empowering gymnastics parents with the strategic mental tools to help their athletes navigate pressure, overcome blocks, and compete with confidence. The Gymnastics Mindset Academy Podcast is the essential strategic resource for parents of competitive gymnasts in the high-stakes world of Level 6-10, Elite, and NCAA recruiting. Hosted by elite-level mental performance coaches Stacie Roman and Ali Havel, this show provides a roadmap for parents who want to support their gymnast’s mental game without adding to the pressure. While other athletes focus solely on physical reps, we teach you how to help your gymnast train the system that controls it all: her brain. Drawing on our experience working with hundreds of gymnasts ranging from level 5s to elites, including an Olympic Silver Medalist, numerous D1 Recruits and a World Championship All-Around Finalist, we bring podium-tested mindset strategies directly to your earbuds. We cover the topics that matter most to gymnastics families: Overcoming Mental Blocks: Identifying the root causes of hesitation and helping her trust her skills again.The Recruiting Edge: Developing the reliable calm, consistent competitor college coaches can count on.Pressure Management: How to help your gymnast trade the pressure of high level gymnastics for calm, focused confidence.The Parent’s Role: Navigating the unique emotional challenges of being a "gym mom" or "gym dad" while protecting your athlete’s love for the sport. Stop wondering how to help from the bleachers. Subscribe to learn how to give your gymnast the ultimate competitive advantage—a resilient and high-performing mind.

  1. 4d ago

    College Gymnastics Recruiting: The Missing Piece No One Teaches

    Your gymnast says she wants to compete in college, but she hasn't emailed a single coach. It's not laziness. It's fear. Join Ali's free parent training, Help Her Get Recruited: https://www.gymnasticsmindsetacademy.com/college-gymnastics-recruiting-parent-training Coach Stacie and Coach Ali talk about the mental side of college gymnastics recruiting and Ali's new Get Recruited program. Ali has been on every side of recruiting: getting recruited herself, coaching in college as a recruiting coordinator, and coaching Level 8–10 gymnasts through the process. Together they explain why reaching out to college coaches feels so scary for gymnasts, and how parents can support from the passenger seat. In this episode: - Why gymnasts, trained to be quiet and do what they're told, struggle to advocate for themselves - Why emailing a college coach can feel like asking your boss for a raise - How the teenage brain treats rejection and embarrassment like life or death - What it looks like when she says she wants it but does nothing, and why it's fear, not laziness - Why "What schools are you looking at?" can feel loaded to her - How mental skills help her hit in competition and go after upgrades (gymnasts in our general mental performance program improve their all-around by two points on average) - Why showing up as herself helps her find the right fit Get the free Recruiting Mindset Playbook: https://www.gymnasticsmindsetacademy.com/the-recruiting-mindset-playbook-optin Chapters: 00:00 Recruiting season and a big announcement 00:48 Why the mental side of recruiting matters 02:19 Gymnasts are trained not to speak up 03:40 Meeting LSU's Jay Clark (and still getting nervous) 04:29 Showing up as yourself to find the right fit 05:54 Like asking your boss for a raise 07:27 The teenage brain and fear of rejection 08:39 What mom sees: she wants it but does nothing 09:52 Why "What schools?" feels loaded 11:30 Recruiting is a roller coaster (so is life) 13:56 Gymnasts are world changers 15:30 Mental skills, upgrades and higher scores 17:50 Showing up as your authentic self 18:51 Ali's campus visit story 20:04 Next steps for parents Resources 💻 Ready for support with the mental side of recruiting? Download GMA’s free Recruiting Mindset Playbook for mindset tools and practical strategies to help your gymnast build confidence, trust herself, and take ownership of her college gymnastics recruiting journey. 🎧 Enjoying the podcast? Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with another gymnastics parent navigating college recruiting. Visit our website: https://www.gymnasticsmindsetacademy.com

    College Gymnastics Recruiting: The Missing Piece No One Teaches

  2. Oct 18

    College Gymnastics Recruiting: What Coaches Look For Beyond Skills, Scores & Scholarships

    What do college gymnastics coaches really look for when recruiting athletes? It's about more than skills, scores, and competition results. In this episode, Coach Ali Havel sits down with Kasey Crawford, head coach at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, and Sam Scherwinski, assistant coach at the University of Minnesota, to talk about the realities of college gymnastics recruiting from the coaches' perspective. They discuss how the recruiting landscape is changing, when gymnasts should start communicating with college coaches, and why consistent, personalized emails can make a difference. You'll also learn what coaches notice beyond gymnastics, including coachability, communication, how athletes respond to mistakes, and whether they fit the team's culture. The conversation also covers what to do when a coach doesn't respond, how injured gymnasts can stay connected during recovery, and why one disappointing meet doesn't have to end a recruiting opportunity. In this episode, you'll learn: How Division I and Division III recruiting timelines can differWhen to start reaching out to college coachesHow to write emails that help coaches remember youWhat coaches look for in practice, at competitions, and during campus visitsWhy mistakes and setbacks don't automatically ruin your chancesHow to communicate with coaches during an injuryWhy persistence, self-awareness, and coachability matterHow to find schools that fit your gymnastics goals and prioritiesTimestamps 00:00 – Meet the college coaches 01:10 – Their journeys in college gymnastics 03:12 – Why recruiting can feel mentally overwhelming 04:22 – How the recruiting landscape is changing 06:17 – How Division III recruiting timelines have shifted 07:13 – Is it ever too late to get recruited? 08:17 – When should gymnasts contact college coaches? 09:58 – How often should you email coaches? 11:12 – What makes a recruiting email stand out? 12:37 – How to show genuine interest in a school 13:32 – Why personality and team culture matter 15:14 – What coaches notice about coachability 16:33 – What coaches look for during campus visits 17:33 – What coaches observe at competitions 18:26 – Why one bad meet doesn't ruin your chances 19:13 – How athletes can learn from mistakes 21:20 – Can confidence and resilience be developed? 21:50 – Recruiting red flags coaches notice 22:18 – What to include in your gymnastics videos 22:46 – Asking about NIL, scholarships, and team culture 24:17 – What to do when a coach doesn't respond 25:39 – How injured gymnasts can stay on coaches' radar 27:10 – Communicating your recovery plan 29:26 – Why injuries are part of an athlete's journey 31:14 – Advice for gymnasts starting recruiting 31:52 – Finding the right recruiting level and school 32:26 – GMA's Get Recruited course College recruiting can feel overwhelming, but your gymnast doesn't have to navigate every decision with self-doubt or pressure. Understanding what coaches are looking for can help her take meaningful steps toward finding the right fit. Resources Ready for support with the mental side of recruiting? Download GMA’s free Recruiting Mindset Playbook for mindset tools and practical strategies to help your gymnast build confidence, trust herself, and take ownership of her college gymnastics recruiting journey. 🎧 Enjoying the podcast? Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with another gymnastics parent navigating college recruiting.

  3. Oct 11

    How Parents Can Support Their Gymnast Through College Recruiting Without Taking Over

    What should a parent actually do during the college gymnastics recruiting process? In this episode, Coach Ali Havel talks with her former club coach and recruiting mentor, Tami Shaftsma, about what it really takes to support a gymnast through recruiting without taking the driver's seat. Tami shares lessons from helping gymnasts find their way to club gymnastics, D3 programs, and D1 schools, including full-ride opportunities. You'll learn: Why communication is one of the most important recruiting skillsHow parents can support without creating additional pressureWhy your gymnast's sport should be something she does, not who she isHow to help her identify realistic schools and reach schoolsWhy college fit is about more than gymnasticsHow coaches can help gymnasts understand where they currently fitWhy showing personality can help a gymnast stand out to college coachesHow to make recruiting feel manageable instead of all-consumingWhy the fear of putting yourself out there can hold talented gymnasts backHow parents can help without taking over the processIf your gymnast is starting to think about college gymnastics, this episode will help you approach recruiting with more confidence, perspective, and support. Episode Summary College recruiting can feel overwhelming for both gymnasts and parents. Tami Shaftsma joins Ali to share what she's learned from years of coaching and helping gymnasts find the right college fit. The conversation focuses on communication, athlete ownership, parent support, realistic versus reach schools, finding the right team environment, and showing personality during recruiting. They also discuss how perfectionism and people-pleasing can make gymnasts afraid of disappointing their parents and why creating space for the gymnast to lead is so important. Timestamps 00:01 Meet Tami Shaftsma 01:16 Tami's college gymnastics journey 02:43 Helping gymnasts find the right fit 03:39 Coaching and leadership today 04:58 Building trust and communication 07:01 The "favorite dinner" communication analogy 09:31 The parent's role in recruiting 09:53 Perfectionism and people-pleasing 10:39 Letting your gymnast drive her journey 12:00 The pressure of disappointing parents 13:53 When a coach doesn't know recruiting 14:59 Questions parents can ask their coach 17:17 Realistic schools vs. reach schools 19:03 Turning goals into actionable progress 21:37 Finding the right personality fit 24:35 How gymnasts can stand out 25:48 Fun Fact Friday and Scoop on Dupe 27:31 Why being yourself matters 28:59 Advice for recruiting parents 30:47 Advice for gymnasts 32:01 Why recruiting is hard for teenagers 33:30 Creating recruiting boundaries 34:46 The Recruiting Power Hour 35:29 GMA's recruiting mindset course 36:21 Final thoughts Resources 💻 Ready to support your gymnast through recruiting? Download GMA’s free Recruiting Mindset Playbook for mindset tools and practical strategies to help your gymnast build confidence, trust herself, and take ownership of her college gymnastics recruiting journey. 🎧 Enjoying the podcast? Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with another gymnastics parent navigating college recruiting.

  4. Oct 4

    How to Help Your Gymnast Overcome a Mental Block Before Competition Season

    Mental blocks aren't simply a matter of needing more practice. When a gymnast physically knows how to perform a skill but her brain is blocking her, there is usually a reason behind the fear. Stacie and Ali explain how internal self-talk, external pressure, and physical fear can all contribute to a mental block. They also walk through how gymnasts can understand their brain, regulate fear, develop safety within themselves, and build the belief that they can handle difficult situations. The episode includes a real-time coaching demonstration of a beam back handspring and explains why mental blocks often require mindset work, not simply more repetitions. Timestamps00:00 Mental blocks as competition season approaches 01:16 Why SOS mental block requests increase this time of year 02:00 Competing is a separate skill from performing skills 03:00 What exactly is a mental block? 04:57 Internal sources of fear 06:37 External pressure and expectations 07:30 Physical fear and fear of fear 08:54 Understanding and normalizing the brain 09:49 Why judging fear can make it worse 10:00 Regulating the fear response 12:10 Learning safety beyond the coach or equipment 13:48 Finding safety within your own control 14:08 Building resilience and self-confidence 16:11 Live coaching example: back handspring on beam 16:57 Finding the "what if" behind the block 17:45 Challenging the brain's worst-case scenario 19:52 What to do in the moment 20:54 Breathing, visualization, and safety self-talk 21:35 What parents can learn from the coaching example 23:42 Rewiring the subconscious brain 26:00 Why this is an important time to address mental blocks 27:47 Results from the Mental Block Rewire experience 28:23 Why GMA created the Mental Block Bootcamp 29:23 The power of community and knowing you're not alone Resources🏅 Want to help your gymnast overcome her mental block? Join the next Mental Block Rewire / Master Mental Blocks Bootcamp and learn the tools GMA uses to help gymnasts understand, regulate, and rewire their fear response. 💻 Parent Training: Learn more about the upcoming training and enrollment. 🎧 Enjoying the podcast? Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with another gymnastics parent who needs to hear it.

  5. Sep 27

    Why Your Gymnast Struggles When School Starts (And Why It Doesn't Mean She's Going Backwards)

    Going back to school changes almost everything about your gymnast's day. She's waking up earlier, using her brain for hours at school, managing homework, planning meals and snacks, and then heading to a demanding gymnastics practice—all while trying to maintain the same level of performance she had during the summer. Stacie and Ali explain why this transition can lead to mental fatigue, physical exhaustion, changes in focus, and temporary setbacks in the gym. They also share practical ways parents can support their gymnast, including helping her understand that mental fatigue is real, allowing time for her brain to rest, supporting proper fueling, protecting sleep, and resisting the urge to panic when progress isn't perfectly linear. Your gymnast doesn't need to perform exactly the same every day to be making progress. Sometimes she simply needs time to adjust. Timestamp Breakdown00:00 – Why gymnasts often struggle when school starts 01:22 – Schedule changes and why change can feel difficult 02:00 – Mental fatigue after a full day of school 03:00 – Physical fatigue and earlier mornings 04:00 – Why sleep becomes a major issue for gymnasts 05:00 – The challenge of planning nutrition and fueling 06:00 – Why school transitions can affect gymnastics performance 08:00 – Why temporary setbacks don't mean something is wrong 09:00 – How parents can help their gymnast manage mental fatigue 10:21 – Why gymnasts need mental breaks during practice 11:17 – Nutrition and supporting mental and physical energy 12:00 – Why the transition is harder than the routine itself Later in the episode – Supporting your gymnast without panic or pressure Later in the episode – Creating realistic expectations during back-to-school season Resources Mentioned🏅 Learn more about working with Gymnastics Mindset Academy Get Free Resources: Help your gymnast dismantle her perfectionist mindset. Access our free mental block resources at gymnasticsmindsetacademy.com/mental-blocks. 💻 Explore our private coaching, boot camps, and mindset programs designed to help gymnasts overcome fear, mental blocks, perfectionism, performance anxiety, and confidence struggles. Follow us on social media for more gymnastics mindset tips and parenting advice. Join Our Community 🎧 Enjoying the podcast? Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with another gymnastics family who could benefit from it. #gymnasticsmindset #gymnasticsparents #mentaltraining #sportspsychology #mentalblocks #gymnasticsconfidence #youthsports #athletemindset #gymnasticspodcast #confidencecoach

  6. Sep 20

    How Nutrition Affects Gymnastics Performance, Mental Blocks & Energy During the School Year

    Episode SummaryYour gymnast's brain needs energy, too. Kerry Bair joins Ali to explain the connection between fueling, brain function, emotions, confidence, and gymnastics performance. They discuss why gymnasts may struggle more with mental blocks or skills later in practice when they haven't had enough food throughout the day. You'll hear how school schedules can create barriers to fueling, including skipped breakfasts, limited snack opportunities, long gaps between meals, and social pressure around what gymnasts eat. Kerry also shares one of the most common issues she sees: gymnasts not eating breakfast. Instead of expecting a complete breakfast immediately, she recommends starting with something small and consistent, then gradually building from there. The goal isn't perfection. It's giving your gymnast's body and brain the energy they need to learn, train, recover, and perform. Timestamp Breakdown00:00 – Meet Kerry Bair, The Gymnast RD 01:52 – Why nutrition matters for gymnasts 02:30 – The connection between nutrition and mental blocks 03:16 – How much energy a gymnast's body needs 05:00 – Why the brain needs energy to function 06:03 – How low energy can affect mood, focus, confidence, and fear 07:19 – Why mental strategies are harder to access when the brain is low on energy 08:00 – Why returning to school can increase energy demands 09:44 – How Kerry evaluates a gymnast's daily fueling 10:56 – “But I'm eating healthy!” 11:28 – Why healthy doesn't always mean adequate for a gymnast 13:00 – Social media, food expectations, and judgment 14:00 – School lunch and the challenges of fueling during the day 15:38 – The breakfast problem 18:24 – The biggest consistent nutrition issue Kerry sees 18:40 – Why breakfast can be difficult for gymnasts 20:00 – Starting small and building the habit 22:28 – Five-minute breakfasts and grab-and-go options 23:34 – Why small steps work better than an all-or-nothing approach 25:41 – How to work with The Gymnast RD 27:25 – Final thoughts Resources Mentioned🏅 Learn more about working with Gymnastics Mindset Academy Get Free Resources: Help your gymnast dismantle her perfectionist mindset. Access our free mental block resources at gymnasticsmindsetacademy.com/mental-blocks. 💻 Explore our private coaching, boot camps, and mindset programs designed to help gymnasts overcome fear, mental blocks, perfectionism, and performance anxiety. 🥣 Looking for nutrition support? Learn more about Kerry Bair in The Gymnast RD, a hybrid program combining nutrition education, challenges, goal setting, worksheets, and one-on-one support for gymnasts and their families. 🎧 Enjoying the podcast? Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with another gymnastics family who could benefit from it. #gymnasticsmindset #gymnasticsparents #gymnasticsnutrition #gymnasticsperformance #mentalblocks #sportsnutrition #gymnasticsconfidence #youthsports #athletemindset #gymnasticspodcast

  7. Sep 13

    Back-to-School Reset: How Gymnasts Can Avoid Burnout, Perfectionism & Overwhelm

    Your gymnast may be capable of doing a lot—but that doesn't mean she needs to do everything. Stacie and Ali explain how overcommitting can affect sleep, mental health, gymnastics performance, school, and even a gymnast's enjoyment of the sport. They share practical ways to simplify routines and help gymnasts make sustainable progress without falling into the trap of perfectionism. You'll learn why progress naturally comes with ups and downs, how mistakes help the nervous system learn physical skills, and why parents should celebrate progress instead of expecting perfect consistency. They also discuss balancing high-level gymnastics with demanding school schedules, AP classes, recruiting responsibilities, homework, and time for fun—and why learning to choose where to spend your time is an essential mindset skill. Timestamp Breakdown00:00 – Is your back-to-school reset setting your gymnast up to fail? 01:01 – The problem with trying to change everything at once 02:30 – The all-or-nothing mindset and unrealistic routines 03:55 – How to create realistic routines and priorities 05:00 – Making fueling easier for busy gymnastics families 08:24 – What babies learning to walk can teach us about gymnastics progress 10:30 – Why progress isn't supposed to be perfect 12:37 – Helping your gymnast focus on one thing at a time 14:41 – Perfectionism, homework, and wasted time 16:18 – AP classes, high-level gymnastics, and realistic expectations 20:05 – The cost of overloading your gymnast 21:22 – Recruiting + school: why the combination can be overwhelming 24:19 – When too much pressure makes gymnastics no longer feel worth it 25:16 – Choosing your priorities and avoiding overcommitment 26:40 – Time-management support for gymnasts Resources Mentioned🏅 Learn more about working with Gymnastics Mindset Academy Get Free Resources: Help your gymnast dismantle her perfectionist mindset. Access our free mental block resources at gymnasticsmindsetacademy.com/mental-blocks. 💻 Explore our private coaching, boot camps, and mindset programs designed to help gymnasts overcome fear, mental blocks, perfectionism, and performance anxiety. 📚 Looking for support with time management? Gymnastics Mindset Academy's Next Level Membership includes resources to help gymnasts manage their time and make sustainable progress. 🎧 Enjoying the podcast? Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with another gymnastics family who could benefit from it. #gymnasticsmindset #gymnasticsparents #mentaltraining #sportspsychology #mentalblocks #gymnasticsconfidence #youthsports #athletemindset #gymnasticspodcast #confidencecoach

  8. Sep 6

    Why Your Gymnast’s Feelings Aren’t the Problem

    Your gymnast will experience fear. She'll feel nervous before a competition. She'll get frustrated after a mistake. She may feel embarrassed when a skill doesn't go as planned. Those emotions don't mean something is wrong. In this episode, Stacie and Ali explain why emotional regulation is such an important part of gymnastics mental training. They discuss the difference between reacting to emotions, running away from them, and allowing yourself to actually feel and process them. You'll also hear why trying to cover negative emotions with forced positivity doesn't work, how parents can model emotional regulation at home, and why being able to handle uncomfortable emotions may be one of your gymnast's biggest competitive advantages. True confidence isn't “I won't be afraid.” It's “I can be afraid and still do what I need to do.” Timestamp Breakdown00:00 – Why your gymnast's feelings may be getting in the way 00:40 – What emotions actually are 02:22 – The emotions gymnasts struggle with most 04:00 – Why gymnasts try to avoid negative emotions 09:30 – When avoiding emotions creates numbness 11:55 – How emotions naturally move through the body 13:00 – Why resisting fear can keep gymnasts stuck 15:00 – The difference between allowing and reacting to emotions 17:00 – Why positive thinking can't simply cover negative emotions 19:55 – Why processing emotions can unlock progress 21:00 – How parents can help their gymnast 23:05 – Modeling emotional regulation for your gymnast 25:00 – Why emotional regulation creates real confidence Resources Mentioned🏅 Learn more about working with Gymnastics Mindset Academy Get Free Resources: Help your gymnast dismantle her perfectionist mindset. Access our free mental block resources at gymnasticsmindsetacademy.com/mental-blocks. 💻 Explore our private coaching, boot camps, and mindset programs designed to help gymnasts overcome fear, mental blocks, perfectionism, and performance anxiety. 🎧 Enjoying the podcast? Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with another gymnastics family who could benefit from it. #gymnasticsmindset #gymnasticsparents #mentaltraining #sportspsychology #mentalblocks #gymnasticsconfidence #youthsports #athletemindset #gymnasticspodcast #confidencecoach

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About

Empowering gymnastics parents with the strategic mental tools to help their athletes navigate pressure, overcome blocks, and compete with confidence. The Gymnastics Mindset Academy Podcast is the essential strategic resource for parents of competitive gymnasts in the high-stakes world of Level 6-10, Elite, and NCAA recruiting. Hosted by elite-level mental performance coaches Stacie Roman and Ali Havel, this show provides a roadmap for parents who want to support their gymnast’s mental game without adding to the pressure. While other athletes focus solely on physical reps, we teach you how to help your gymnast train the system that controls it all: her brain. Drawing on our experience working with hundreds of gymnasts ranging from level 5s to elites, including an Olympic Silver Medalist, numerous D1 Recruits and a World Championship All-Around Finalist, we bring podium-tested mindset strategies directly to your earbuds. We cover the topics that matter most to gymnastics families: Overcoming Mental Blocks: Identifying the root causes of hesitation and helping her trust her skills again.The Recruiting Edge: Developing the reliable calm, consistent competitor college coaches can count on.Pressure Management: How to help your gymnast trade the pressure of high level gymnastics for calm, focused confidence.The Parent’s Role: Navigating the unique emotional challenges of being a "gym mom" or "gym dad" while protecting your athlete’s love for the sport. Stop wondering how to help from the bleachers. Subscribe to learn how to give your gymnast the ultimate competitive advantage—a resilient and high-performing mind.

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