Car Ride Conversations For Sports Families

Valerie Alston
  • 4.8 (13)
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The ultimate podcast for parents, coaches, and youth sport athletes who want to unlock the secrets to mental toughness, confidence, and resilience. Whether you're on your way to practice, a big game, or just tackling the daily grind, these bite-sized episodes are designed to spark meaningful conversations to equip young athletes with actionable tools to thrive in school, sports and life while building strong relationships with their parents, one car ride at a time. Hosted by Valerie Alston, former D1 athlete, sport psychology expert, and resilience coach, each episode dives into key topics like building effective self-talk, staying calm under pressure, and bouncing back from setbacks. With real-life stories, practical tips, and relatable insights, you'll discover how to support your youth sport athlete's journey while strengthening your connection along the way. Buckle up and join us for a ride full of inspiration, growth, and the skills needed to become Confident, Calm, and Clutch! Questions? Comments? Ideas? ✉️ Email me: valerie.alston@valstoncoaching.com Follow Me On: 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valstoncoaching 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valstoncoaching ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@valstoncoaching9666 ✨ For exclusive tips, tools, and updates, join my newsletter: 📬 https://www.confidentcalmclutch.com/newsletter

  1. Confident, Calm, Clutch: Inside the Mindset of a 50-Year Coaching Veteran

    5D AGO

    Confident, Calm, Clutch: Inside the Mindset of a 50-Year Coaching Veteran

    Building Confident, Calm, and Clutch Athletes with Coach Jack Smithlin In this episode of 'Car Ride Conversations for Sports Families,' host Valerie Alston offers a preview of her new podcast 'The Clutch Academy.' This clip features Jack Smithlin, a coach with over 50 years of experience and an unbeaten record, discussing what it means for athletes to be confident, calm, and clutch. He shares insights on building mental performance, grit, and redefining success to foster resilience and love for the game. Whether you're a parent or a coach, learn valuable strategies to help athletes perform under pressure. Don't miss out on more tips and updates on 'The Clutch Academy' by subscribing to the newsletter! 00:00 Introduction to Clutch Performance 01:48 Meet Coach Jack Smithlin 02:25 Defining Confidence, Calm, and Clutch 03:14 Building Confidence Through Practice 04:32 The Importance of Mental Performance 09:19 Strategies for Coaches 14:24 The Mind-Body Connection 17:41 Car Ride Conversations 20:07 Closing Remarks and Newsletter Sign-Up Discussion questions: What helps you feel confident going into a game or tryout? Parents: What did confidence look like for you when you were younger?Why do you think being calm helps you play better? What could we do before games or at home to help each other stay calm and focused?Can you remember a time you were “clutch” you stepped up under pressure? What helped you rise to that moment? How can you build that mindset for next time?What do you think matters more to a coach: results or effort? Why? How does that change how you see your role as a teammate or a player? 🎧 Sneak Peek: The Clutch Academy Podcast (Launching 2026!) In the new year, I’m launching a new podcast called The Clutch Academy where I’ll interview coaches across sports and levels to unpack this core question: How do great coaches build athletes who are confident, calm, clutch and full of character? We’ll dive into: - What they say at practice, after games, and in tough moments - How they develop leadership and mental resilience - The strategies they use to help athletes succeed on and off the field If you’re a coach with something to share or know someone who should be on the mic I’d love to hear from you. 👉 Click here to apply to be a guest on The Clutch Academy https://valstoncoaching.typeform.com/clutchacademy Thanks for joining me on Confident, Calm, and Clutch Car Ride Conversations! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a moment. Share it with other parents or coaches who could use a little extra inspiration on the go. For exclusive tips, tools, and updates join my newsletter at www.confidentcalmclutch.com/newsletter For more specific tips on building mental toughness, buy my booka href="https://www.confidentcalmclutch.com/confidentcalmandclutchbook" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    21 min
  2. What a Snow Day Can Teach Athletes About Adaptability, Effort, and Resilience

    FEB 2

    What a Snow Day Can Teach Athletes About Adaptability, Effort, and Resilience

    Embracing Adaptability: Lessons from a Snow Day This week on Car Ride Conversations for Sports Families, host Valerie Alston shares a personal story about dealing with unexpected snowfall in the South and its parallels to sports challenges. Valerie discusses adaptability, problem-solving, and maintaining humor under pressure. She relates her snow day experience to athletes needing to adjust to adverse conditions and unplanned situations. Listen in for meaningful dialogue about resilience, mental toughness, and confidence-building while exploring engaging conversation starters for parents and young athletes. This episode is perfect for families looking to build stronger relationships and lifelong skills, one car ride at a time. 00:00 Snow Day Struggles and Lessons 00:42 Welcome to Car Ride Conversations 01:15 Creative Snow Shoveling Solutions 03:25 Adapting in Sports and Life 06:33 Humor and Perspective in Problem Solving 11:19 Interactive Car Ride Questions 15:15 Conclusion and Call to Action Discussion questions: Have you ever had to figure something out on the fly in your sport when things didn’t go as planned? When conditions aren’t ideal — weather, refs, equipment, teammates — what helps you stay focused instead of frustrated?”What’s something that felt harder than expected at first, but got easier once you adjusted? How important do you think it is for athletes to be able to laugh at mistakes or awkward moments?” Thanks for joining me on Confident, Calm, and Clutch Car Ride Conversations! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a moment. Share it with other parents or coaches who could use a little extra inspiration on the go. For exclusive tips, tools, and updates join my newsletter at www.confidentcalmclutch.com/newsletter For more specific tips on building mental toughness, buy my book Confident, Calm and Clutch: How to build confidence and mental toughness for young athletes using sports psychology If you are a coach looking for ways to build mental toughness into your practices then check out my coaching resources (books, assessments, conversation starters, community and more) here. Parents join my Facebook group to Help Your Athlete Gain Mental Toughness for Parents Have an idea for a topic? Submit your idea here. Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email me: valerie.alston@valstoncoaching.com Follow Me on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valstoncoaching Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valstoncoaching YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@valstoncoaching9666 Watch every episode of Car Ride Conversations here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOjguEFjF88w5Wl-eA9dlkwLk7f_sI12V

    16 min
  3. Help Youth Athletes Build Better Habits - Make It Satisfying

    JAN 26

    Help Youth Athletes Build Better Habits - Make It Satisfying

    Building Lasting Habits: Rewarding Effort and Tracking Progress In this episode of 'Car Ride Conversations for Sports Families,' host Valerie Alston discusses the importance of making good habits satisfying to ensure they stick, especially for young athletes. Valerie explores the principles behind behavior change, as detailed in James Clear's book 'Atomic Habits,' emphasizing the Fourth Law of Behavior Change: make good habits satisfying and bad habits unsatisfying. She provides actionable strategies for parents and coaches to help young athletes pair behaviors with rewarding outcomes, track progress, and create immediate satisfaction to foster long-term behavior change. Valerie also shares practical tips for using habit trackers and gamification to maintain motivation and consistency. Don't miss out on valuable insights into building stronger relationships, promoting mental toughness, resilience, and confidence in young athletes. 00:00 Introduction to Building Lasting Habits 00:15 Welcome to Car Ride Conversations 00:50 The Science Behind Behavior Change 01:17 Law 4: Making Good Habits Satisfying 04:09 Creating Instant Rewards 10:35 Tracking Progress and Building Streaks 13:06 Handling Setbacks and Maintaining Momentum 16:35 Engaging Family Conversations 20:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Atomic Habits link: https://amzn.to/49rZNP4 Discussion questions: When you finish a habit you’re trying to build, what kind of reward actually motivates you — something fun, something relaxing, or seeing your progress?Which habits feel hardest to stick with, and what kind of reward would make showing up feel worth it?” How could we reward effort and consistency, not just performance or results?”Would tracking your habits or building a streak motivate you more than a physical reward? Why? Thanks for joining me on Confident, Calm, and Clutch Car Ride Conversations! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a moment. Share it with other parents or coaches who could use a little extra inspiration on the go. For exclusive tips, tools, and updates join my newsletter at www.confidentcalmclutch.com/newsletter For more specific tips on building mental toughness, buy my book Confident, Calm and Clutch: How to build confidence and mental toughness for young athletes using sports psychology If you are a coach looking for ways to build mental toughness into your practices then check out my coaching resources (books, assessments, conversation starters, community and more) here. Parents join my Facebook group to Help Your Athlete Gain Mental Toughness for Parents Have an idea for a topic? Submit your idea here. Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email me: valerie.alston@valstoncoaching.com Follow Me on: Facebook:...

    21 min
  4. Build Better Habits for Youth Athlete- Make It Easy

    JAN 19

    Build Better Habits for Youth Athlete- Make It Easy

    Making Habits Stick: Simple Strategies for Athletes and Parents In this episode of Car Ride Conversations for Sports Families, host Valerie Alston explores how to make big goals attainable by shrinking habits to ensure they stick. Drawing inspiration from 'Atomic Habits' by James Clear, Valerie discusses the importance of making good habits easy to start and emphasizes the value of consistency over perfection. She offers actionable advice on breaking down daunting tasks into manageable steps, piggybacking new habits on existing ones, and making bad habits harder to start. Ideal for parents and young athletes, this podcast aims to foster mental toughness, resilience, and confidence through practical, everyday conversations. 00:00 Introduction to Effective Habits 00:49 Understanding the Third Law of Behavior Change 01:42 Making Habits Easy to Start 04:04 Practical Examples for Athletes and Students 05:34 Attaching New Habits to Existing Routines 06:33 Eliminating Bad Habits 08:10 Building Mental Toughness and Discipline 10:49 Conversation Prompts and Challenges 15:19 Final Thoughts and Call to Action Atomic Habits link: https://amzn.to/49rZNP4 Discussion questions: What habit feels hardest to start right now?How could we shrink that habit so it feels easier to begin?What daily routine could we attach that habit to?What’s one distraction we could make harder to access during school or practice prep? Thanks for joining me on Confident, Calm, and Clutch Car Ride Conversations! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a moment. Share it with other parents or coaches who could use a little extra inspiration on the go. For exclusive tips, tools, and updates join my newsletter at www.confidentcalmclutch.com/newsletter For more specific tips on building mental toughness, buy my book Confident, Calm and Clutch: How to build confidence and mental toughness for young athletes using sports psychology If you are a coach looking for ways to build mental toughness into your practices then check out my coaching resources (books, assessments, conversation starters, community and more) here. Parents join my Facebook group to Help Your Athlete Gain Mental Toughness for Parents Have an idea for a topic? Submit your idea here. Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email me: valerie.alston@valstoncoaching.com Follow Me on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valstoncoaching Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valstoncoaching Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@valstoncoaching9666 Watch every episode of Car Ride Conversations here: a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOjguEFjF88w5Wl-eA9dlkwLk7f_sI12V" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    17 min
  5. Build Better Habits: Law 2 - Make it Attractive

    JAN 12

    Build Better Habits: Law 2 - Make it Attractive

    Mastering Habits: Law 2 - Make it attractive Join host Valerie Alston on this episode of Car Ride Conversations for Sports Families as she dives into the science of habit formation and motivation. Learn how to connect habits to purpose, enjoyment, and identity, and discover practical tips from James Clear's book, 'Atomic Habits.' Valerie discusses the dopamine feedback loop, temptation bundling, and surrounding yourself with the right influences to build effective habits. Ideal for parents and young athletes aiming to improve mental toughness, resilience, and confidence, this conversation will help you build stronger relationships and lifelong skills. Tune in for actionable advice on making habits stick and avoiding negative behaviors. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insightful discussions! 00:00 Introduction to Motivation and Habits 00:20 Podcast Introduction and Host Welcome 01:07 Understanding the Second Law of Behavior Change 01:52 The Dopamine Feedback Loop 02:44 Temptation Bundling Explained 04:03 Practical Examples of Temptation Bundling 06:22 Combining Temptation Bundling with Habit Stacking 07:27 The Role of Belonging in Habit Formation 09:35 Surrounding Yourself with the Right People 12:48 Reframing Negative Habits 14:41 Interactive Questions for Listeners 18:44 Conclusion and Call to Action Atomic Habits link: https://amzn.to/49rZNP4 Discussion questions: What’s something you want to do every day — and something you need to do — and how could we pair them together?Who are 2-3 people you’re around often who have habits you admire — and how do those habits influence you?(Friends, teammates, older players, etc.)When you hear someone say “I have to go work out” vs. “It’s time to get stronger and faster,” how do those feel different?What’s one habit you could make more attractive this week — and what would help make it feel more fun, social, or rewarding? (Could be schoolwork, workouts, even sleep routines) Thanks for joining me on Confident, Calm, and Clutch Car Ride Conversations! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a moment. Share it with other parents or coaches who could use a little extra inspiration on the go. For exclusive tips, tools, and updates join my newsletter at www.confidentcalmclutch.com/newsletter For more specific tips on building mental toughness, buy my book Confident, Calm and Clutch: How to build confidence and mental toughness for young athletes using sports psychology If you are a coach looking for ways to build mental toughness into your practices then check out my coaching resources (books, assessments, conversation starters, community and more) here. Parents join my Facebook group to Help Your Athlete Gain Mental Toughness for Parents Have an idea for a topic?

    20 min
  6. Build better habits - Law 1: Make it Obvious

    JAN 5

    Build better habits - Law 1: Make it Obvious

    Kickstart Your Year: Build better habits - Make it Obvious In this episode of Car Ride Conversations for Sports Families, host Valerie Alston discusses the importance of habit formation over motivation for achieving long-term goals. She dives into the science of habit formation and shares practical tips on building effective habits for athletes and their families. Valerie highlights the significance of making good habits obvious and bad habits invisible. She provides actionable strategies, inspired by James Clear's 'Atomic Habits,' for creating an environment conducive to achieving goals. Valerie also prompts listeners to engage in meaningful family conversations about identifying and implementing new habits. Join the conversation for insights on building mental toughness, resilience, and confidence while fostering stronger family relationships. Don't forget to share this episode and subscribe to Valerie's newsletter for more tips. 00:00 Introduction to Motivation and Habits 00:52 Welcome to Car Ride Conversations 01:26 Kicking Off January with Better Habits 03:19 Understanding Habit Formation 06:13 The Habit Loop Explained 09:11 Making Good Habits Obvious 10:56 Eliminating Bad Habits 12:17 Aligning Habits with Identity 14:11 Practical Tips for Building Habits 16:15 Family Discussion Questions 19:58 Conclusion and Next Steps Atomic Habits link: https://amzn.to/49rZNP4 Discussion questions: What’s one habit you do automatically without thinking?What’s a good habit we could make more obvious this week?What’s one distraction we could make less visible?Where could we place reminders to help you succeed? Thanks for joining me on Confident, Calm, and Clutch Car Ride Conversations! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a moment. Share it with other parents or coaches who could use a little extra inspiration on the go. For exclusive tips, tools, and updates join my newsletter at www.confidentcalmclutch.com/newsletter For more specific tips on building mental toughness, buy my book Confident, Calm and Clutch: How to build confidence and mental toughness for young athletes using sports psychology If you are a coach looking for ways to build mental toughness into your practices then check out my coaching resources (books, assessments, conversation starters, community and more) here. Parents join my Facebook group to Help Your Athlete Gain Mental Toughness for Parents Have an idea for a topic? Submit your idea here. Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email me: valerie.alston@valstoncoaching.com Follow Me on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valstoncoaching Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valstoncoaching Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@valstoncoaching9666 Watch every episode of Car Ride Conversations here: a...

    21 min
  7. When the Season Feels Like a Slump

    12/15/2025

    When the Season Feels Like a Slump

    Navigating Athletic Slumps: Insights and Strategies  Every athlete experiences slumps—periods where performance doesn't meet expectations. In this episode of Car Ride Conversations for Sports Families, host Valerie Alston explores the nature of slumps, why they occur, and how to overcome them. Valerie shares her personal story of switching to left-handed hitting in softball and the growth that came from this challenging season. Learn about the importance of going back to basics, focusing on controllables, and maintaining a curious mindset. This episode provides practical advice for young athletes and their parents on how to navigate these tough periods and ultimately emerge stronger. Tune in for valuable tips on building mental toughness, resilience, and confidence. Remember to subscribe and share if you find this episode helpful! 00:00 Introduction: Understanding the Slump 01:09 Defining a Slump: What It Is and Isn't 02:59 Personal Story: Overcoming My Slump 07:55 Strategies to Break Out of a Slump 12:09 The Importance of Patience and Resilience 16:11 Interactive Q&A: Reflecting on Your Slump 20:19 Conclusion: Keep the Conversations Rolling Discussion questions: What part of your game feels like a slump right now — and what do you think that slump might be trying to teach you?If we focused less on stats and more on small wins, what would success look like for you this week?Can you think of a time when something felt hard in the moment but ended up helping you in the long run — like my switch-hitting story?How can I support you during a slump without adding pressure? Thanks for joining me on Confident, Calm, and Clutch Car Ride Conversations! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a moment. Share it with other parents or coaches who could use a little extra inspiration on the go. For exclusive tips, tools, and updates join my newsletter at www.confidentcalmclutch.com/newsletter  For more specific tips on building mental toughness, buy my book Confident, Calm and Clutch: How to build confidence and mental toughness for young athletes using sports psychology If you are a coach looking for ways to build mental toughness into your practices then check out my coaching resources (books, assessments, conversation starters, community and more) here. ***NEW COACHES PODCAST*** I’m getting ready to launch a brand-new podcast called The Clutch Academy  where I’ll interview coaches across sports and levels to unpack this core question: How do great coaches build athletes who are confident, calm, clutch  and full of character? If you’re a coach with something to share  or know someone who should be on the mic  I’d love to hear from you. 👉 Click here to apply to be a guest on The Clutch Academy https://valstoncoaching.typeform.com/clutchacademy Parents join my Facebook group to Help Your Athlete Gain Mental Toughness for Parents Have an idea for a topic? Submit your idea here. Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email me: valerie.alston@valstoncoaching.com Follow Me...

    22 min
  8. Making Friends with Failure

    12/08/2025

    Making Friends with Failure

    How to Turn Failure into Success: The Growth Mindset for Athletes Failure isn't the enemy; it's the best teammate you can have. In this episode of Car Ride Conversations for Sports Families, host Valerie Alston discusses the importance of embracing failure as part of the growth process for athletes. Valerie explains how a growth mindset, where athletes view their abilities as improvable with effort and practice, can transform failures into learning opportunities. She contrasts this with a fixed mindset, where abilities are viewed as static, and emphasizes the importance of redefining success beyond just wins and stats. The episode also provides practical tips for fostering a growth mindset, setting tangible goals, and redefining success. Conversation prompts are provided to encourage meaningful dialogue between parents and young athletes about mental toughness, resilience, and confidence. 00:00 Introduction: Embracing Failure 01:11 Understanding Failure in Sports 02:52 Building a Growth Mindset 09:08 Redefining Success Beyond Wins 15:20 Conversation Prompts for Families 19:52 Conclusion and Call to Action Discussion questions: “What’s a recent mistake or failure that actually taught you something useful?”“If success wasn’t about winning today, how else could you define it?”“How do elite athletes you admire talk about failure — and what does that teach you about how they improved?” “How do my (parent or coach) reactions — my words, tone, or body language — after your tough moments affect the way you feel about failure?” Thanks for joining me on Confident, Calm, and Clutch Car Ride Conversations! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a moment. Share it with other parents or coaches who could use a little extra inspiration on the go. For exclusive tips, tools, and updates join my newsletter at www.confidentcalmclutch.com/newsletter  For more specific tips on building mental toughness, buy my book Confident, Calm and Clutch: How to build confidence and mental toughness for young athletes using sports psychology If you are a coach looking for ways to build mental toughness into your practices then check out my coaching resources (books, assessments, conversation starters, community and more) here. Parents join my Facebook group to Help Your Athlete Gain Mental Toughness for Parents Have an idea for a topic? Submit your idea here. Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email me: valerie.alston@valstoncoaching.com Follow Me on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valstoncoaching Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valstoncoaching Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@valstoncoaching9666 Watch every episode of Car Ride Conversations here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOjguEFjF88w5Wl-eA9dlkwLk7f_sI12V

    21 min
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4.8
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

The ultimate podcast for parents, coaches, and youth sport athletes who want to unlock the secrets to mental toughness, confidence, and resilience. Whether you're on your way to practice, a big game, or just tackling the daily grind, these bite-sized episodes are designed to spark meaningful conversations to equip young athletes with actionable tools to thrive in school, sports and life while building strong relationships with their parents, one car ride at a time. Hosted by Valerie Alston, former D1 athlete, sport psychology expert, and resilience coach, each episode dives into key topics like building effective self-talk, staying calm under pressure, and bouncing back from setbacks. With real-life stories, practical tips, and relatable insights, you'll discover how to support your youth sport athlete's journey while strengthening your connection along the way. Buckle up and join us for a ride full of inspiration, growth, and the skills needed to become Confident, Calm, and Clutch! Questions? Comments? Ideas? ✉️ Email me: valerie.alston@valstoncoaching.com Follow Me On: 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valstoncoaching 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valstoncoaching ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@valstoncoaching9666 ✨ For exclusive tips, tools, and updates, join my newsletter: 📬 https://www.confidentcalmclutch.com/newsletter

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