PerformHappy with Rebecca Smith

In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast, I sit down with gymnastics physical therapist Dr. Jenny Borda to talk about one of the hardest things for gymnasts, parents, and coaches to navigate: knowing the difference between being sore, being scared, and being injured.
I see this come up all the time with athletes who are unsure when they should speak up about pain. They worry their coach will think they are making excuses, or they are afraid that saying something means they will miss a competition. Jenny and I talk about why communication early on matters, and why creating a safe space for athletes to share what they are feeling can make such a difference.
Jenny breaks down how pain is not always a sign of injury, but it is always information worth paying attention to. We talk about the “green,” “yellow,” and “red” zones and how athletes can learn to understand what their bodies are telling them instead of immediately feeling like they have to either push through or stop completely.
We also dive into something I see often in gymnastics: when fear and pain become connected. Sometimes an athlete’s body reacts because something feels unsafe, even when there is not a clear injury. Jenny explains why we should not dismiss that experience and why asking the right questions can help uncover what is really going on.
In this episode you will hear
Why gymnasts are afraid to tell someone when they are hurting
How parents and coaches can respond in a way that builds trust
The difference between soreness, fear, pain, and injury
Why communication can prevent bigger problems
How athletes can better understand their own bodies
Why caring for the athlete matters beyond gymnastics
This conversation is an important reminder that supporting gymnasts is not just about getting through the next practice or competition. It is about helping athletes feel heard, supported, and confident in understanding their bodies throughout their journey.
Learn exactly what to say and do to guide your athlete through a mental block with my new book "Parenting Through Mental Blocks" Order your copy today: https://a.co/d/g990Bur

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complete_performance/
Join my FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/completeperformancecoaching/
Check out my website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

Write to me! Email: rebecca@completeperformancecoaching.com

Ready to help your athlete overcome fears and mental blocks while gaining unstoppable confidence? Discover the transformative power of PerformHappy now. If your athlete is struggling or feeling left behind, it's time for a change. Are you ready? For more info and to sign up: PerformHappy.com

In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast, I sit down with former professional dancer and former Rockette Gabby Roberts to talk about chasing big dreams, overcoming rejection, building confidence, and learning how to never let someone else decide what is possible for you. Gabby shares her journey of being told she didn’t fit the image of a professional dancer, facing rejection from her college program, and continuing to pursue her goal even when others questioned her path.
Gabby opens up about the impact that comments about body type, talent, and potential can have on young athletes and performers. She explains why feedback needs to come with support and guidance, and how words from coaches, teachers, and people around us can shape the beliefs we carry about ourselves.
We also talk about the importance of having a support system when pursuing a difficult goal, why confidence often comes after making the decision to keep going, and how visualization helped Gabby prepare for auditions and performances. She shares why success is not just about wanting a dream badly, but about trusting the process, putting in the work, and staying committed through setbacks.
In this episode you will hear
Why you should never let someone else define your limits
How rejection can become motivation instead of a reason to quit
The role parents and coaches play in supporting young athletes
Why confidence comes from preparation and consistency
How to separate your self-worth from outcomes
Why loving the process matters when chasing a big dream
This conversation is a powerful reminder that someone else’s doubt does not have to become your reality. When athletes learn to trust themselves, embrace challenges, and keep showing up, they create opportunities they never thought were possible.
Learn exactly what to say and do to guide your athlete through a mental block with my new book "Parenting Through Mental Blocks" Order your copy today: https://a.co/d/g990Bur

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complete_performance/
Join my FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/completeperformancecoaching/
Check out my website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

Write to me! Email: rebecca@completeperformancecoaching.com

Ready to help your athlete overcome fears and mental blocks while gaining unstoppable confidence? Discover the transformative power of PerformHappy now. If your athlete is struggling or feeling left behind, it's time for a change. Are you ready? For more info and to sign up: PerformHappy.com

In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast, I sit down with former D1 gymnast, Parkettes alum, psych nurse, and mom of two gymnasts Jacqueline Barbera to talk about her journey through elite gymnastics, the lessons she learned, and how she would approach the sport differently today.
Jacqueline shares what it was like growing up in a high-level gymnastics environment, moving across the country to pursue her dreams, and the challenges that came with elite training. She opens up about the pressure, the expectations, and how not having a voice as an athlete affected confidence, fear, and performance.
We also explore what young athletes need most from their coaches and parents. Jacqueline explains why creating a safe environment does not mean lowering standards, but instead finding the balance between pushing athletes and helping them feel supported. She shares how her own experiences shaped the way she views coaching, parenting, and the future of gymnastics.
Drawing from her experience as a psych nurse, former gymnast, and mom, Jacqueline discusses the connection between stress, recovery, confidence, and mental blocks. She explains why athletes need the right amount of challenge, but also need space to communicate, recover, and trust themselves.
In this episode you will hear
What elite gymnastics taught Jacqueline about resilience and discipline
How fear and pressure can impact an athlete’s confidence
Why athletes need a voice in their training
The difference between being pushed and being overwhelmed
How parents can support young athletes without adding pressure
Why stress and recovery both matter for performance
What Jacqueline would tell her younger gymnast self
This conversation is a powerful reminder that success in gymnastics is not only about skills, scores, or medals. The athletes who thrive are the ones who learn to trust themselves, feel supported, and build a healthier relationship with the sport they love.
Learn exactly what to say and do to guide your athlete through a mental block with my new book "Parenting Through Mental Blocks" Order your copy today: https://a.co/d/g990Bur

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complete_performance/
Join my FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/completeperformancecoaching/
Check out my website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

Write to me! Email: rebecca@completeperformancecoaching.com

Ready to help your athlete overcome fears and mental blocks while gaining unstoppable confidence? Discover the transformative power of PerformHappy now. If your athlete is struggling or feeling left behind, it's time for a change. Are you ready? For more info and to sign up: PerformHappy.com

In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast, I sit down with performance scientist, professor, and former athletic trainer Dr. Toby Brooks to talk about resilience, recovery, identity, and what happens when life doesn’t go according to plan.
Whether it’s an injury, retirement, a major setback, or an unexpected life change, every athlete will eventually face moments that feel like everything is falling apart. Toby shares how these experiences often become the starting point for growth, helping athletes discover new purpose beyond the challenges they face.
Drawing from his work with athletes, students, and high performers, Toby explains why community matters during difficult seasons and how support, connection, and perspective can make all the difference. He discusses the importance of having people who will sit beside you through hard moments instead of trying to immediately fix them.
We also explore the relationship between stress, recovery, and performance. Toby breaks down why growth requires both challenge and rest, how perfectionism can contribute to burnout, and why sustainable success depends on more than just working harder.
In this episode you will hear
Why setbacks can become new beginnings
How athletes can navigate major life transitions
Why support and community matter during difficult times
The role of stress and recovery in performance
How perfectionism contributes to burnout
Why rest is an essential part of growth
How to build a healthier relationship with achievement
This conversation is a powerful reminder that success is not defined by avoiding challenges. When athletes learn to embrace setbacks, seek support, and grow through adversity, they build the resilience needed to thrive both in sport and in life.
Learn exactly what to say and do to guide your athlete through a mental block with my new book "Parenting Through Mental Blocks" Order your copy today: https://a.co/d/g990Bur

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complete_performance/
Join my FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/completeperformancecoaching/
Check out my website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

Write to me! Email: rebecca@completeperformancecoaching.com

Ready to help your athlete overcome fears and mental blocks while gaining unstoppable confidence? Discover the transformative power of PerformHappy now. If your athlete is struggling or feeling left behind, it's time for a change. Are you ready? For more info and to sign up: PerformHappy.com

In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast, I sit down with 3-time Olympian Becky Downie to talk about finding your voice in gymnastics, advocating for yourself, and helping create a healthier culture for the next generation of athletes.
For many gymnasts, speaking up can feel risky. Whether it's admitting you're scared, communicating pain, or disagreeing with a coach, athletes are often taught to stay quiet and push through. Becky shares how that mindset affected her early career and why learning to communicate became one of the most important skills she developed.
Drawing from more than two decades on the national team, Becky reflects on the evolution of gymnastics culture and the progress that has been made toward athlete well-being. She discusses the importance of trusting your instincts, understanding the difference between discomfort and injury, and creating environments where athletes feel safe to be honest.
We also explore the role coaches and parents play in helping young athletes develop confidence, self-awareness, and healthy communication skills. Becky shares why strong relationships matter, how athletes can learn to advocate for themselves, and why difficult conversations often create the biggest positive changes.
In this episode you will hear
Why athletes need to find their voice
How to communicate pain and injuries effectively
Why trusting your instincts matters
How healthy coach-athlete relationships improve performance
Why speaking up can create positive change
How parents can advocate for their children
What gymnastics culture has learned over the last 20 years
This conversation is a powerful reminder that great athletes are not built through fear and silence. When athletes feel heard, supported, and empowered to communicate, they can perform with greater confidence, resilience, and joy.
Learn exactly what to say and do to guide your athlete through a mental block with my new book "Parenting Through Mental Blocks" Order your copy today: https://a.co/d/g990Bur

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complete_performance/
Join my FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/completeperformancecoaching/
Check out my website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

Write to me! Email: rebecca@completeperformancecoaching.com

Ready to help your athlete overcome fears and mental blocks while gaining unstoppable confidence? Discover the transformative power of PerformHappy now. If your athlete is struggling or feeling left behind, it's time for a change. Are you ready? For more info and to sign up: PerformHappy.com