Originally aired in February 2023.

Jake Thompson sits down with Justine Jones, a mental performance coach who works with athletes ranging from middle schoolers to professionals. In this episode, they dive deep into the do’s and don’ts for parents when it comes to building mental toughness in young athletes.

Justine shares actionable advice for parents on how to support their kids’ mental growth in sports and life, emphasizing the role of process, courage, and positive car ride conversations.

Connect with Justine on Instagram or on her team's website RJPG.net.

Do’s & Don’ts for Parents:

• Do: Let your child initiate post-game conversations – don’t turn the car ride home into a “coffin” by forcing debriefs or feedback.
• Do: Highlight courage and bravery, not just outcomes. Give attention to their effort, resilience, and sportsmanship, not just whether they won or lost.
• Don’t: Belittle the coach in front of your child. This puts them in a tough spot and shifts their focus away from improvement and fun.
• Do: Encourage a “power of yet” mindset (“I can’t do this…yet”), fostering resilience and growth.