The Gymnastics Mindset Academy Podcast

Gymnastics Mindset Academy
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated 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. 2d ago

    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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. Aug 30

    Why Your Gymnast Doesn't Believe in Herself: How to Rewire Limiting Beliefs & Build Real Confidence

    Does your gymnast struggle to believe in herself? Maybe she says, “I’m just not good at beam,” “I’m not good enough to get recruited,” or “I’ll never be able to do this skill.” Those statements may sound like facts to her—but they’re actually beliefs. And beliefs can be changed. Episode SummaryA belief is a thought your brain has repeated so many times that it starts to feel like a fact. For gymnasts, beliefs like “I’m not good enough,” “I’m bad at beam,” or “I’m not recruitable” can quietly influence how they think, feel, and perform. Stacie and Ali explain neuroplasticity, the brain’s “highway” system, and the Reticular Activating System (RAS) to show why your gymnast keeps finding evidence that supports what she already believes. They also explain why positive affirmations alone often don't work—and why building a new belief requires repetition, evidence, progression, and practice. And for parents, there’s an important reminder: you can believe in your gymnast before she is able to believe in herself. Key Takeaways• A belief is a thought repeated so often that it feels like a fact. • Your gymnast’s beliefs can influence her confidence, actions, and results. • The brain naturally looks for evidence that confirms existing beliefs. • Neuroplasticity means new thought patterns and beliefs can be built. • Simply saying “I’m good enough” isn’t always enough to change a deep-rooted belief. • New beliefs need to be built gradually through realistic thoughts, repetition, and evidence. • Mental blocks and confidence struggles often require the same kind of belief rewiring. • Parents can play a powerful role by believing in their gymnast while she learns to believe in herself. Timestamp Breakdown00:00 – Why your gymnast may struggle to believe in herself 00:53 – What is a belief? 02:50 – How beliefs affect the Think-Feel-Do Cycle 03:30 – The “I’m not good enough” belief 05:47 – How gymnasts protect themselves from failure 07:12 – Neuroplasticity and building new thought pathways 09:40 – The RAS: how your brain filters information 11:38 – How gymnasts find evidence for limiting beliefs 14:49 – Are you willing to do the work for your goal? 18:15 – Parents: is it okay to believe in your gymnast’s dreams? 19:29 – What if your gymnast doesn't want college gymnastics? 20:57 – Why rewiring beliefs can change more than gymnastics 24:28 – Why positive thinking alone isn't enough 27:00 – Building a Thought Ladder 30:31 – Why parents get frustrated when gymnasts don't believe in themselves 32:24 – The power of believing in your gymnast 35:24 – Help her believe—and trust the process Resources🎧 Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast platform. ▶️ Watch the full episode on YouTube. 📖 Actually Think Positively: The Recruiting Playbook — a free resource mentioned in this episode for gymnasts who want to get recruited. 💻 Learn more about Gymnastics Mindset Academy programs and coaching to help your gymnast build confidence, overcome mental blocks, and rewire limiting beliefs.

  8. Aug 23

    Why Your Gymnast Can't Think Positively: How to Build Self-Belief, Confidence & a Strong Mindset

    Is your gymnast constantly battling self-doubt? Does she struggle to believe in herself before a new skill, competition, or the college recruiting process? In this episode, Coach Stacie Roman and Coach Ali Havel explain why positive thinking isn't enough when your gymnast doesn't truly believe she's capable. They dive into the hidden beliefs that shape confidence, why "just think positive" often backfires, and how identity—not talent—is often the biggest obstacle holding athletes back. If your gymnast struggles with fear, perfectionism, mental blocks, competition anxiety, or recruiting confidence, this conversation will help you understand what's really happening beneath the surface. Episode SummaryConfidence isn't created by repeating positive affirmations—it's built by changing the beliefs underneath them. Stacie and Ali explore why gymnasts often feel trapped in cycles of self-doubt, despite trying to stay positive. They discuss how deep-rooted beliefs like "I'm not good enough" influence every thought, emotion, and action, whether it's learning new skills, competing, or reaching out to college coaches. They also unpack how girls are often taught to downplay their strengths, why that makes confidence harder to develop, and how parents can help their gymnast build genuine self-belief without comparing herself to others. Timestamp Breakdown00:00 – Why gymnasts struggle to think positively 02:20 – The truth about positive thinking and the Think-Feel-Do model 03:30 – How identity and beliefs shape performance 04:45 – The emotional challenges of mental blocks and recruiting 08:00 – Why recruiting requires confidence before results exist 10:15 – The hidden belief: "I'm not good enough" 13:00 – Why girls often wait for proof before believing in themselves 15:30 – Confidence vs. arrogance: breaking the myth 18:10 – How parents can model healthy self-belief 21:40 – Helping your gymnast build confidence without comparison 🏅 Learn more about working with Gymnastics Mindset Academy. 💻 Explore our private coaching, boot camps, and mindset programs designed to help gymnasts overcome fear, mental blocks, perfectionism, performance anxiety, and self-doubt. 🎧 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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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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