PerformHappy with Rebecca Smith

In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast, I sit down with Nicky Keay to talk about puberty, periods, hormones, and how they affect young athletes physically and mentally during one of the biggest transitions of their lives.
For many gymnasts, puberty can feel confusing and frustrating. Skills suddenly feel different, emotions feel bigger, and bodies begin to change in ways athletes are often taught to fear instead of understand.
Dr. Keay explains why these changes are not something athletes should fight against. Hormones play a critical role in bone health, strength, recovery, cognition, and long-term athletic performance. While puberty can temporarily affect coordination, balance, and confidence, it is also what helps young athletes grow into stronger, healthier women.
We also discuss the importance of fueling properly during adolescence, especially in sports like gymnastics and dance where underfueling is extremely common. Dr. Keay explains how missing or irregular periods can be a warning sign of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), and why parents and coaches should pay attention early.
One of the most helpful parts of this conversation is learning how athletes can better understand their own menstrual cycles instead of fearing them. Rather than seeing periods as a weakness, athletes can learn patterns, prepare ahead of time, and build confidence through awareness and recovery.
In this episode you will hear
Why puberty changes athletic performance
 How hormones affect strength, recovery, and coordination
 Why missing periods can signal RED-S
 How underfueling impacts health and performance
 Why body changes during puberty are normal and necessary
 How athletes can track and work with their menstrual cycles
 Why parents and coaches need to create healthier conversations around puberty
This conversation is a powerful reminder that puberty is not the end of an athlete’s potential. With the right support, nutrition, and understanding, young athletes can grow into stronger, healthier, and more confident competitors.
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

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Write to me! Email: [email protected]

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

One of the hardest things athletes can experience is watching a dream fall apart. In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast, I sit down with Alexis Crockett to talk about mental blocks, burnout, body image, and how setbacks can lead to an even better path forward.
Alexis was one of the most talented gymnasts of her generation. She made elite at just 10 years old, represented the United States internationally, and became the first gymnast to compete a double twisting double pike. From the outside, it looked like her Olympic future was guaranteed.
But behind the success was a young athlete carrying enormous pressure.
We talk about how mental blocks can appear suddenly, even for athletes performing at the highest level. Alexis shares how burnout, overtraining, and years of pressure eventually caught up with her, leading to a mental block that completely changed the course of her gymnastics career.
What stood out to me most was her honesty about the shame and frustration she carried for years. So many athletes believe mental blocks mean they are weak or not trying hard enough, but Alexis explains why that simply is not true. Often, the brain is trying to protect the athlete from emotional or physical pain, even when the athlete desperately wants to keep going.
We also discuss body image in gymnastics, the unhealthy messages many athletes grew up hearing, and how Alexis is approaching her own daughter’s gymnastics journey differently. Instead of rushing success, she wants her daughter to enjoy being a kid first.
In this episode you will hear
Why mental blocks can happen to any athlete
How burnout and pressure affect performance
Why body image struggles are so common in gymnastics
How Alexis rebuilt confidence after setbacks
Why athletes need support, not shame
How parents and coaches can create healthier environments
This conversation is a powerful reminder that sometimes the dream falling apart leads you toward the life you were actually meant to build.
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: [email protected]

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

Most athletes assume great coaching is only about teaching skills, but the best coaches know that understanding the athlete matters just as much. In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast, I sit down with Lexi Funk to talk about mental blocks, communication, confidence, and what athletes really need from their coaches.
Lexi is a former All-American beam athlete from the University of Michigan and now a college coach at Pitt. She shares how her experience as both an athlete and coach has shaped the way she helps gymnasts work through fear, pressure, and self-doubt.
We talk about communication. Many athletes try to push through pain, exhaustion, or fear without saying anything because they worry about looking weak or losing opportunities. Lexi explains why honest conversations between athletes and coaches build trust and lead to better performance.
Another big part of the conversation is mental blocks. Lexi shares her own experience struggling on beam after a bad fall, even after successfully doing the skill thousands of times before. She explains why mental blocks do not always make logical sense and how rebuilding confidence takes patience and trust in the process.
We also discuss coaching styles, adaptability, and why athletes improve the most when they feel supported as people, not just performers.
In this episode you will hear
Why communication builds trust
How mental blocks happen to every athlete
Why confidence can disappear after one mistake
How coaches can better support athletes
Why patience is important during setbacks
In this episode, Lexi Funk shares how athletes and coaches can work together to build trust, overcome fear, and grow through challenges.
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: [email protected]

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

Most athletes assume performance is all about physical ability, but what happens in your mind often matters more. In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast, I sit down with Matthew Wenske to explore how mental habits shape confidence, consistency, and long-term success.
Matthew is a former elite gymnast, US national team member, and NCAA national champion who now works in mental health. He shares his journey from being extremely hard on himself as a young athlete to learning how mindset directly impacts performance and enjoyment in the sport.
We talk about negative thoughts. Every athlete experiences them, especially under pressure. Matthew explains that thoughts like “don’t fall” can actually lead to mistakes, and how simple mental shifts like focusing on rhythm or execution can improve consistency.
Another key takeaway is self-talk. Many athletes believe being tough on themselves will help them improve, but Matthew shows that it often does more harm than good. Treating yourself with the same encouragement you would give a teammate leads to better results.
We also discuss confidence. It is not something you either have or don’t have. It is built through preparation, repetition, and trusting your training when it counts.
We also talk about resilience. Mistakes are part of the process, but learning to reset quickly and move forward is what separates great athletes. Developing a short memory and focusing on what is next can make a huge difference.
In this episode you will hear
Why negative thoughts are normal and how to handle them
How self-talk affects performance
Why preparation builds confidence
How to bounce back from mistakes
In this episode, Matthew Wenske shares how to get out of your head and perform with more confidence, focus, and control.
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: [email protected]

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

Performance and high scores are not built on skills alone. They come from something most athletes overlook. In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast, I sit down with Tammy DeGuzman to talk about the hidden factor that makes routines stand out.
Tammy is a FIG brevet judge, coach, and parent who has seen the sport from every angle. She explains that judges can feel a routine within seconds. It is not just execution. It is presence, confidence, and what she calls the “twinkle in their eye.”
We also talk about performance. Many athletes think you either have it or you don’t, but Tammy shows it can be trained. Using mirrors, music, and bigger movements, athletes can learn to project confidence and connect with judges.
Another key takeaway is scores. Gymnastics is subjective, and chasing numbers can be frustrating. Instead, the focus should be on progress, confidence, and enjoying the process.
We also discuss resilience. As a parent, it is tempting to fix everything, but growth comes from struggle. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can say is, “I believe in you.”
In this episode you will hear
How to stand out beyond skills
Why performance can be trained
How to handle scores the right way
Why resilience matters more than perfection
In this episode, Tammy DeGuzman shares how to build confident athletes who perform with presence 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: [email protected]

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