Supporting athletes with ADHD is not just about managing behavior. It is about understanding how their brain works, how they handle pressure, and how they experience feedback. In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast I sit down with Susan Stout to talk about ADHD, anxiety, and how coaches and parents can better support athletes so they can succeed and enjoy their sport.

Susan Stout educates and consults with athletic coaches to bring out the best in athletes who are wired differently, specializing in ADHD, learning differences, and anxiety. She built Own Beat Athlete based on her experience as a junior national level swimmer, select soccer player, coach, teacher, lawyer, and mom to a talented teen athlete with ADHD, dyslexia, and anxiety.

One of the biggest themes in this conversation is the difference between “I won’t” and “I can’t.” Many athletes with ADHD are often misunderstood as lazy or defiant, when in reality they are overwhelmed. These athletes want to do well, but their brains can make consistency difficult. Shifting this perspective changes how we support them.

We also talk about how ADHD and anxiety often show up together. Some athletes become anxious from years of criticism and pressure, which can lead to fear, avoidance, or emotional reactions. Understanding this helps coaches respond with empathy instead of frustration.

Another key takeaway is the importance of proactive coaching. Getting to know each athlete before issues arise and asking what helps them reset gives coaches an “operating manual” for each kid. This allows athletes to regulate themselves and stay engaged.

We also touch on feedback. Athletes with ADHD are often more sensitive, so positive reinforcement is essential. What coaches say becomes the voice athletes hear in their own head.

In this episode you will hear

• How to tell the difference between “I can’t” and “I won’t”
• Why ADHD and anxiety often go hand in hand
• How to support athletes before problems happen
• Why positive feedback builds confidence

In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast Susan Stout shares simple strategies to help athletes with ADHD feel understood, build confidence, and enjoy their sport while performing at their best.

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

Fueling a gymnast is not just about eating “healthy.” It is about giving the body and brain what they need to perform, recover, and grow. In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast I sit down with Dr. Roger Adams to break down what most gymnastics families get wrong about nutrition and how to fix it.

One of the biggest takeaways is that carbs are not the enemy. Many athletes are underfueling because they restrict carbs and calories to stay lean. But carbohydrates are the main source of energy for both the body and the brain. When an athlete does not get enough, performance drops, recovery slows, and injury risk goes up. Simply put, carbs are fuel, not something to fear.

We also talk about the difference between healthy eating and performance fueling. What works for the average kid does not work for an athlete training 20 or more hours a week. Gymnasts need enough calories for performance, recovery, and growth. That means sometimes food is less about being “clean” and more about being effective.

Another key point is how to spot underfueling. It is not always about how an athlete looks. The first signs often show up in their attitude and energy. If they are more tired, less motivated, or not enjoying practice, that can be a red flag. The brain will actually slow the body down to conserve energy when it is not getting enough fuel.

We also dive into injury and recovery. Repeated injuries, slow healing, or constant soreness can be signs that an athlete is not eating enough. Proper fueling helps strengthen bones, muscles, and connective tissue so athletes can handle intense training loads.

One of the most practical takeaways is how to close the recovery gap. Many athletes eat before practice but forget about after. Recovery should start immediately with a simple snack that includes carbs and protein. It does not have to be perfect, just easy to digest and consistent.

We also cover meet day nutrition. When nerves are high, eating can be tough. The key is to fuel before arriving and keep things simple during the meet with quick carbs like fruit or crackers. Small amounts at the right time can make a big difference in performance.

In this episode you will hear

• Why carbs are essential for performance and recovery
• How underfueling affects mood, motivation, and results
• Signs your athlete may not be eating enough
• How to support injury prevention through nutrition
• Simple ways to improve recovery after practice
• What to eat before and during competition

In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast Dr. Roger Adams and I share simple, practical strategies to help gymnasts fuel properly, recover faster, and perform with more energy and confidence.

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

Building a confident gymnast is not just about physical skills. It is about mindset, self talk, and how they handle pressure. In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast I sit down with Sloane Blakely to talk about confidence, perfectionism, and how athletes can bounce back from mistakes and enjoy the sport again.

One of the biggest themes in our conversation is how athletes deal with mistakes. Sloane shares that instead of trying to be perfect, she learned to let herself feel frustrated for a moment and then reset. She explains that it is okay to be upset, but you cannot stay there. The key is asking, what is next. This simple shift helps athletes stay focused instead of spiraling after one bad turn.

We also talk about perfectionism and how it can actually hold athletes back. Sloane describes how she used to expect perfection from herself all the time. Over time, she learned to turn that mindset into a challenge instead. Instead of trying to be perfect, she focused on getting a little better each turn. That change helped her enjoy gymnastics more and perform with more freedom.

Another key piece is confidence and self talk. Sloane shares how using positive affirmations changed her performance and even her life outside the gym. At first it felt strange, but over time she started to believe what she was telling herself. When athletes learn to speak to themselves with confidence, it shows in how they compete.

We also dive into the importance of having a life outside of gymnastics. Sloane explains that taking time for things that have nothing to do with the sport helps athletes stay balanced. Whether it is spending time with family or doing something fun, those moments help reduce pressure and prevent burnout.

One of the most powerful lessons from this episode is learning to enjoy the sport again. When Sloane got to college, she realized she did not have to be serious all the time. Once she allowed herself to relax and have fun, her performance improved. It showed her that working hard and enjoying the process can go together.

In this episode you will hear

• How to reset after mistakes instead of getting stuck
• Why perfectionism can hurt performance
• How positive self talk builds real confidence
• Why athletes need balance outside the gym
• How having fun can actually improve performance

In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast Sloane Blakely and I share simple but powerful mindset shifts that help gymnasts build confidence, handle pressure, and enjoy the sport so they can perform at their best.

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