PerformHappy with Rebecca Smith

This week on the PerformHappy Podcast, I’m sharing the simplest way to build confidence, even if you feel like you don’t have a single extra minute. So many athletes and sport parents tell me the same thing: “I want to feel more confident, but I’m just too busy to add one more thing to my day.” Trust me, I get it. Between school, sports, work, and everything else, life is full. But what if I told...

This week on the PerformHappy Podcast, I’m talking directly to sport parents (but athletes, don’t tune out just yet!). I had two parents in our community share the same concern: “I don’t want to say the wrong thing.” They love their kids, they want to help, but they’re afraid they might accidentally be making things worse. So in this episode, I’m sharing what I’ve learned about how to actually sup...

This week on the PerformHappy Podcast, Coach Rebecca dives into a powerful Q&A session centered around one of the most difficult crossroads in an athlete’s journey—deciding whether to keep going or walk away from their sport. Whether you’re deep in upgrade season, dreading practice, or feeling the spark fade, this episode offers clarity and compassion for athletes (and their parents) navigatin...

Has your athlete suddenly developed a fear of a skill they’ve done a hundred times before? You know they can do it physically, but something’s holding them back… and no matter what you try, nothing seems to help. In this week’s PerformHappy podcast episode, I’m diving into three hidden warning signs that you, as a well-meaning parent, might accidentally be keeping your athlete stuck in fear. Maybe...

In this week’s PerformHappy Podcast, I’m joined by sport parent and PerformHappy alum, Susan Bardack, for a real, honest conversation about the rollercoaster of raising an athlete. Susan shares her daughter Ashland’s journey from gymnastics to D1 college diving, including how they navigated tough mental blocks and the moment everything shifted—when Susan stopped pushing and started trusting. We ta...

There’s a specific kind of heartbreak that hits when your child doesn’t get moved up to the next level, especially when all their friends do. You see it in their face. You feel it in the silence on the car ride home. And as a parent, you just want to fix it. You want to make it better; give them hope and tell them to keep pushing. But deep down, you might already know… this just isn’t going to go...

If your athlete is stuck in a mental block, you’re not alone. That’s exactly what I’m diving into on this week’s PerformHappy Podcast — because fear is something so many athletes struggle with, and honestly, it was my biggest struggle too. You know the feeling — your athlete says they’re not scared, but they just can’t go . Or maybe they are scared and don’t know how to stop feeling that way. Eith...

It’s frustrating. You’re doing everything “right.” You’ve got the mindset tools, the journaling prompts, the visualizations… but it’s still not clicking. In this week’s PerformHappy Podcast, I’m diving into a truth most people don’t talk about: sometimes mental training doesn’t work. Yep, I said it. There are athletes who put in the effort and still feel stuck. In this episode, I unpack the common...

This week on the PerformHappy Podcast, I got to switch things up—I was the one answering the questions! I had the pleasure of sitting down with Lacey Rochelle from Shine Health Coaching to dive deep into the science behind fear and how it shows up in performance. We unpacked quick, practical tips for staying present when the pressure’s on, and talked about what it really takes to move from stuck t...

Do you know an athlete who’s super bendy, always impressing with their flexibility, but constantly dealing with little injuries or pain that won’t go away? In this week’s PerformHappy Podcast, I sat down with chiropractor and hypermobility expert Dr. Taylor Goldberg to unpack exactly what’s going on behind the scenes for these “Gumby-like” athletes. Dr. Goldberg shares her own journey as a high-le...

Today on the PerformHappy Podcast, I’m thrilled to introduce you to one of our own – Coach Sam, also known around here as Samantha Buxbaum. Sam is a fearless athlete who has competed in gymnastics, diving, and now rock climbing, and she brings so much wisdom from her journey through high-risk sports. In this episode, Sam shares her experience with fear, mental training, and how critical self-advoc...

If you’ve ever wondered how to help your child (or yourself) face fear and rise to the occasion, this episode is for you. This week on the PerformHappy Podcast, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Jill Shulman—a former U.S. Marine Corps officer, positive psychology expert, and soon-to-be author of a book on the science of bravery. Yes, science! This wasn’t just a feel-good conversation… w...

Pressure is part of the game in gymnastics, but how do the best in the world handle it? On this episode of the PerformHappy podcast, I sit down with three-time Olympian Shallon Olsen from Canada to talk about just that. Shallon is known for her powerful vaulting, but what sets her apart is her ability to stay calm and focused—even under intense competition pressure. We dive into her mindset, how s...

What does it take to coach one of the greatest gymnasts of all time? On today’s PerformHappy Podcast, I sit down with Hiroaki Sato, the mastermind behind Japan’s men’s gymnastics gold medal at the 2024 Olympics and the coach of legendary gymnast Kohei Uchimura. Sato’s coaching philosophy is all about putting people first. From working with the GOAT of men’s gymnastics to leading an entire team to...

In this episode of the PerformHappy Podcast, I sit down with mental skills coach Graham Betchart, whose expertise has helped top NBA players develop a strong mindset for high-pressure moments. But what makes Graham’s approach so powerful is that it’s not just for elite athletes—it’s for anyone who wants to perform at their best, embrace mistakes, and stay present. Graham shares his simple yet game...

Mental blocks can be one of the most frustrating challenges for athletes, whether it's a lost skill that suddenly disappears or a takeoff that just won’t feel right. In this episode of the PerformHappy Podcast, I sit down with elite trampoline coach James Coomber to dive into both types of mental blocks and how to break through them. James is an incredible coach who balances high-level goals...

If you’ve ever felt like pushing harder is the only way to improve in gymnastics, this episode is for you. I sat down with Dr. Ian Crider, also known as the gymnastics doc, to talk about a better way—one that leads to safer skills, fewer injuries, and happier athletes. Dr. Crider is the expert when it comes to balancing safe training with top-level performance. In our conversation, he breaks down...

This week on the PerformHappy podcast, I’m thrilled to welcome Chloe Van Bavel, a former Dutch elite gymnast turned professional choreographer with an impressive background in ballet, modern dance, social work, and sports psychology. Chloe brings a unique perspective to the gymnastics world, helping athletes shine from the inside out. In our conversation, Chloe shares how she builds confidence, cr...

This week on the PerformHappy podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with Jeff Graba, Auburn University’s legendary head gymnastics coach and mentor to Olympic champion Suni Lee. In this episode, Jeff shares how he helps athletes navigate fear, bounce back from setbacks, and create championship journeys that aren’t just about winning—they’re about making the entire process meaningful and fulfilli...

This week on the PerformHappy Podcast, I had the privilege of chatting with someone who truly embodies resilience and passion for gymnastics: Chellsie Memmel. As a world champion, Olympian, and now an influential leader in USA Gymnastics, Chellsie has worn many hats in the sport, and she’s not done yet! In our conversation, Chellsie shared her remarkable journey—one that includes her inspiring com...

Have you ever wondered what happens after the medals are won and the records are broken? On this week’s PerformHappy podcast, I had the privilege of sitting down with Theresa Kulikowski-Gillespie, a true legend in gymnastics and an inspiration beyond the sport. Theresa’s resume is remarkable: an Olympic alternate for the iconic 1996 Games, a two-time NCAA champion, a world bronze medalist, and a r...

On the latest episode of the PerformHappy podcast, I had the privilege of chatting with Soraya Rostocil, a gymnast I’ve worked with in a mental training capacity for over five years. Watching her journey unfold has been nothing short of extraordinary. Soraya's story is one that so many gymnasts can relate to—three years stuck at Level 7, grappling with mental blocks, and questioning whether i...

This week on the PerformHappy podcast, I had the privilege of talking with the incredible Hannah Scheible, one of Oklahoma State University’s standout gymnasts. Hannah’s reputation for consistency and success is undeniable, but what truly fascinated me was uncovering the mindset that drives her achievements. Despite her impressive track record, Hannah shared that her journey hasn’t been without ch...

On this week’s PerformHappy Podcast, I’m thrilled to welcome a true legend in the world of gymnastics coaching, Mark Williams. As the head coach of the Oklahoma men’s gymnastics team for over two decades, Mark has built a legacy that includes nine national championships, countless All-Americans, and multiple Olympians. But what sets Mark apart isn’t just the medals and titles—it’s his ability to c...

In this week's PerformHappy Podcast episode, I had the pleasure of talking with Kyrstin Johnson, whose gymnastics journey is nothing short of inspiring. From starting gymnastics later than most to thriving at an HBCU, Kyrstin's story is a testament to resilience, passion, and mental toughness. But her journey wasn't without challenges. When her team was unexpectedly cut, Kyrstin fac...