PerformHappy with Rebecca Smith

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 ha...

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 t...

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...

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...

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 fa...

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 oft...

In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast, I sit down with Nicky Keay to talk about puberty, periods, hormones, and how they affect young athletes physically and mentally during one of the biggest transitions of their lives. For many gymnasts, puberty can feel confusing and frustrating. Skills suddenly feel different, emotions feel bigger, and bodies begin to change in ways athletes are often t...

One of the hardest things athletes can experience is watching a dream fall apart. In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast, I sit down with Alexis Crockett to talk about mental blocks, burnout, body image, and how setbacks can lead to an even better path forward. Alexis was one of the most talented gymnasts of her generation. She made elite at just 10 years old, represented the United States i...

Most athletes assume great coaching is only about teaching skills, but the best coaches know that understanding the athlete matters just as much. In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast, I sit down with Lexi Funk to talk about mental blocks, communication, confidence, and what athletes really need from their coaches. Lexi is a former All-American beam athlete from the University of Michigan a...

Most athletes assume performance is all about physical ability, but what happens in your mind often matters more. In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast, I sit down with Matthew Wenske to explore how mental habits shape confidence, consistency, and long-term success. Matthew is a former elite gymnast, US national team member, and NCAA national champion who now works in mental health. He shar...

Performance and high scores are not built on skills alone. They come from something most athletes overlook. In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast, I sit down with Tammy DeGuzman to talk about the hidden factor that makes routines stand out. Tammy is a FIG brevet judge, coach, and parent who has seen the sport from every angle. She explains that judges can feel a routine within seconds. It i...

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 assist...

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 an...

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 bec...

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. S...

Building a strong, confident gymnast is not just about skills. It is about the environment they grow up in. In this episode of the PerformHappy Podcast I sit down with Julie Ballard Clark to talk about how positive culture, supportive coaching, and mindful parenting shape not just great athletes, but strong humans. One of the biggest themes in our conversation is the power of a positive environmen...

Injuries and mental blocks can feel scary and isolating for gymnasts and parents. In this episode of the PerformHappy Podcast I sit down with PerformHappy coach Stephanie Gaumer  to talk about confidence, fear, perfectionism, and what it really takes to come back when the sport suddenly feels harder than it used to. One of the biggest challenges gymnasts face is the mental side of the sport. Even...

Post season can feel exciting but it can also be stressful for gymnasts and parents. In this episode of the PerformHappy Podcast I sit down with Briley Casanova to talk about how parents can support their athletes without adding extra pressure. One of the biggest challenges is pressure. As meets get closer, athletes and parents start thinking about scores, results, and qualifying. This can make gy...

Consistency in gymnastics can look so calm from the outside. But if you are the parent in the viewing room or in the car after practice, it often feels anything but calm. In this episode, I sit down with Asia Mape, four time Emmy winning sports producer and founder of I Love to Watch You Play, to talk about how parents can support their gymnasts without adding extra pressure. Asia’s whole mission...

Fear and mental blocks can make it feel like your athlete is going backward. You see her working hard. You see her trying. And still, the skills are not sticking. If you are in that spot, you are not alone. When blocks seem to get worse, it usually means she is still in the awareness phase. She has not fully learned what her brain needs yet. Instead of asking why this is happening, start asking wh...

Consistency under pressure can look effortless from the outside. But if you’ve ever stood there waiting to salute, you know it rarely feels that way. In this episode, I sit down with LSU freshman Haley Mustari to break down what actually creates that calm, confident performance. After watching her stick her first collegiate bar routine, I wanted to know what was going on in her mind. Her answer wa...

Waiting can be one of the hardest parts of growth. When things feel uncertain or out of your control, the urge to figure it out now can be overwhelming. Patience rarely feels exciting, yet it is often the skill that determines whether you keep going or give up too soon. In this episode, I share why patience is one of the most powerful traits athletes and high performers can develop. I open up abou...

Watching your child struggle can be exhausting. You see how hard they are trying, yet small moments turn into big emotions, power struggles, or shutdowns. You may wonder why it feels so hard to stay calm when all you want to do is help. In this episode, I talk with calm parenting expert Kirk Martin about how parents’ emotions and reactions shape their children’s behavior and confidence. Kirk works...

Watching an athlete feel stuck can be painful. You see how hard they are trying. You see the fear and frustration building, and you may wonder why some kids break through while others stay trapped in the same place. In this episode, I talk with Dr. Suzanne Pottratz, senior mental performance coach at PerformHappy, about what actually helps athletes move forward. Suzanne works closely with kids who...

It can be really confusing to watch your child work hard in gymnastics and still struggle with injuries, low energy, or stalled progress. You see the effort. You know how much they love the sport. And yet something just does not seem to be clicking. Many parents assume this is just part of gymnastics. That soreness, exhaustion, and constant setbacks are the price of training at a high level. When...