In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast, I sit down with college gymnast Cecilia Cooley to talk about mental blocks, rebuilding confidence, overcoming fear, and learning not to give up on yourself when gymnastics starts to feel impossible. Cecilia shares her unconventional journey from starting gymnastics later than most to becoming a college gymnast, captain, and scholarship athlete. She opens up about struggling with mental blocks across multiple events, feeling like her body and brain...
Aug 4
38 min
In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast, I sit down with Monica Packer, a habits and identity coach for moms, to talk about perfectionism, identity, and what it means to support your child's dreams without losing yourself in the process. Many sport moms are doing everything they can to help their children succeed. But sometimes, without realizing it, we begin to tie our worth to our children's achievements. When their dreams become our identity, perfectionism, pressure, and burnout can q...
Jul 28
39 min
This episode of the Perform Happy Podcast is a reminder that even the athletes who look the most confident can struggle with anxiety, pressure, and self-doubt. I sit down with University of Utah gymnast Ella Zirbes to talk about finding joy in gymnastics again after anxiety took away the fun of competing on some of the biggest stages of her career. Ella shares how the pressure to be perfect left her feeling overwhelmed during her sophomore season and what helped her make a complete mind...
Jul 21
32 min
In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast, I sit down with NCAA gymnast Abigayle Martin to talk about performing scared, overcoming mental blocks, trusting yourself under pressure, and finding what helps you compete with confidence. Abby shares how a mental block at 10 years old shaped the athlete she is today and why learning to work with fear, instead of waiting for it to disappear, changed everything. Abby opens up about competing at the highest levels of college gymnastics while still ...
Jul 14
38 min
In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast, I sit down with Alyssa Olin, former Division I gymnast and licensed clinical social worker, to have an honest conversation about the difference between tough coaching and trauma in youth sports. We explore how harmful coaching practices can become normalized, the lasting impact they have on an athlete’s mental health, and why every child deserves to have a voice and feel safe in their sport. Alyssa shares her own experiences growing up in gymnasti...
Jul 7
41 min
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 com...
Jun 30
55 min
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 a...
Jun 23
41 min
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 pres...
Jun 16
34 min
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, helpin...
Jun 9
41 min
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 l...
Jun 2
38 min
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