Athlete Q&A: Negative Teammates, Pressure, Toxic Coaches & Bouncing Back

Raising Elite Competitors

Have you ever felt like you’re lagging behind, struggling to keep up with your teammates, or crushed by negative vibes from others? Or maybe you’re coming back from an injury and wondering if you’ll ever be your old self again. This episode is for all of you who need some no-fluff, real advice to boost your confidence, handle pressure, and keep your head in the game.

In this episode, we discuss the real questions athletes face every day and sharing simple, practical tips that actually work, from stopping comparison and staying calm under pressure, to dealing with negative teammates and much more.

Here’s what we cover:

• Why looking over your shoulder in a race can make you fall, literally and mentally.
• How to flip “Why am I not like her?” into “What can I learn from her?”.
• The power of celebrating tiny daily wins instead of chasing perfection.
• Staying grounded in the present moment so your confidence stays solid.
• Real tips for coming back from injury without beating yourself up.
• What to do if your coach says you look scared and why bravery isn’t about never feeling fear.
• How to protect your energy when teammates are negative and even turn it around with kindness.
• Simple ways to stay calm and have fun when the pressure’s on.
• Why what others think shouldn’t stop you from playing your best.
• Handling tough feedback from parents without losing your confidence.
• Taking risks without being paralyzed by fear of mistakes.
• Getting ready for tryouts with the right mindset.
• Setting boundaries when team drama tries to drag you down.

Ready to run your own race with your head held high? Listen to the full episode now and let’s do this together!

Episode Highlights:

[00:08:20] Find Your Micro Wins. The second tip: combat comparison by focusing on how you were better than yesterday and finding one small win from today, no matter how practice went.

[00:12:25] Coming Back from Injury. Coach Saylor advises an athlete feeling behind after an injury to trust the process, focus on micro wins, and even suggests writing a "breakup letter" to your past self to embrace who you're becoming.

[00:19:26] Dealing with Negative Teammates. I share a story about a disengaged player to illustrate a key point: you can't change negative people, so stop focusing on them and instead pour your energy into the teammates who are locked in.

[00:29:00] When Teammates Hate on Your Wins. Coach Saylor advises creating a "bubble" to let negative comments bounce off and to surround yourself with positive teammates. Coach Rachel adds that giving a genuine compliment can sometimes change the dynamic entirely.

[00:37:23] Navigating Team Drama. Advice on dealing with a specific negative teammate: protect your energy, align with positive players, and remember it's not your job to fix them. Only involve a coach if there's bullying or abusive behavior.

Next Steps:

• Join our FREE Training for Sports Moms - How to Strengthen Your Athlete Daughter's Mental Game so She Believes in Herself as Much as You Do
• Visit our podcast website for more great episodes

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