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PerformHappy with Rebecca Smith

PerformHappy with Rebecca Smith

By: Rebecca Smith
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About this listen

I’m Rebecca Smith, your podcast host, and High Performance Coach. I’m Director of Complete Performance Coaching and founder of The #PerformHappy Community.Maybe you’re a gymnast with a fear of going backwards. A swimmer who can’t seem to go any faster. Or a parent who is clueless about how to help your child succeed. You might be stepping up to tougher competition and looking to raise your game. Whether you're struggling with a mental block, or you just had the best season of your life, this podcast is for you.Kids need resources to deal with the pressure of competition, but they don’t necessarily want it to be their coach or parents.I teach parents, coaches, and adolescent/teen athletes of all abilities how to achieve their personal best. These are the tips and mental toughness strategies that my clients tell me help them most.I also provide insights for parents and coaches who want to support their kids and their teams.Performing well is a blend of hard work, skill and mental toughness. I’ll teach you how to use all 3 to be the best athlete you can, and have FUN competing in your sport. Mental skills translate to all areas of your life. When kids learn skills to cope with stress & emotion in a sport context, they become better prepared to thrive in school and beyond.Join me each week as I help people reach peak performance and maximum enjoyment.

© 2026 PerformHappy with Rebecca Smith
Episodes
  • The Power of Not Caring What People Think with Myia Hambrick
    Apr 21 2026

    Confidence and consistency are not built by pressure alone. They come from feeling supported, having a sense of choice, and actually enjoying the process. In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast I sit down with Myia Hambrick to talk about her journey from athlete to coach and what truly helps athletes thrive.

    Myia is a former standout at Louisiana State University gymnastics and now an assistant coach at University of Utah gymnastics. She shares how one key factor shaped her success: choice. Gymnastics was always something she wanted to do, not something she felt forced into. That freedom helped her stay motivated and confident, even during challenges.

    We also talk about fun. When Myia briefly explored elite gymnastics, it stopped being enjoyable, and she chose a different path. That decision led her to thrive in college. Now as a coach, she emphasizes that fun is not separate from success. It fuels it.

    Another key takeaway is identity outside the sport. Myia had interests, friendships, and support beyond gymnastics, which helped her stay grounded. This made it easier to handle setbacks without losing confidence.

    We also explore confidence and consistency. They build each other. Athletes perform better when they feel confident, and confidence grows through preparation, trust, and positive reinforcement.

    In this episode you will hear

    How choice builds confident athletes
    Why fun drives performance
    How identity outside sport supports resilience
    Why confidence and consistency are connected

    In this episode, Myia Hambrick shares simple but powerful ways to help athletes perform at their best while still enjoying the 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

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    42 mins
  • ADHD and Anxiety in Athletes- What Coaches and Parents Need to Know with Susan Stout
    Apr 14 2026

    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

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    38 mins
  • What Gymnastics Parents Get Wrong About Nutrition with Dr. Roger Adams
    Apr 7 2026

    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

    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
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