Episode 23

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Published on:

16th Jun 2025

Embracing Joy Over Stats: What Really Matters in the Youth Sports Journey

Welcome to another episode of 'Car Ride Conversations' with your host, Valerie Alston! In this heartwarming episode, Valerie sits down with her dad and former coach to reminisce about their most cherished travel ball memories. They laugh over hilarious moments like switching hitting sides at age 11 and relive intense experiences such as playing in hundred-degree heat at the National Championships. Amidst stories of grit and joy, Valerie also dives into crucial leadership lessons that shaped her life. Whether you're a parent, a coach, or an athlete, you'll find valuable insights on mental toughness, resilience, and confidence. Get ready to leave with a full heart and a new perspective on how to support your young athlete. Don't miss out on the prompts designed to spark meaningful dialogue during your car rides. Share, like, and subscribe for more inspiring content!

00:00 Introduction to Car Ride Conversations

01:25 Memorable Moments on the Diamond

04:59 Hilarious Off-Field Stories

06:09 Leadership and Team Dynamics

07:28 The Importance of Strategy and Preparation

09:39 Overcoming Adversity and Building Confidence

18:33 Concluding Thoughts and Conversation Prompts



Discussion questions:

  • “What’s a moment in your sport that made you feel proud—not just because of the outcome, but because of the effort or growth behind it?”
  • “What do you think makes a good teammate—and how can you tell when a team is truly ‘bought in’ like the stories from the episode?”
  • “Have you ever made a bold decision—like switching something big in your game or trying something new—and stuck with it, even when it was hard?”
  • “What’s a funny or unexpected moment you’ve had in sports that you’ll never forget? How did that moment bring your team closer?”



Thanks for joining me on Confident, Calm, and Clutch Car Ride Conversations! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a moment. Share it with other parents or coaches who could use a little extra inspiration on the go.

For exclusive tips, tools, and updates join my newsletter at www.confidentcalmclutch.com/newsletter 

For more specific tips on building mental toughness, buy my book Confident, Calm and Clutch: How to build confidence and mental toughness for young athletes using sports psychology

Parents join my Facebook group to Help Your Athlete Gain Mental Toughness for Parents

Have an idea for a topic? Submit your idea here.

Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email me: valerie.alston@valstoncoaching.com

Follow Me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valstoncoaching

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valstoncoaching

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@valstoncoaching9666

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About the Podcast

Car Ride Conversations For Sports Families
Conversation prompts for building mentally tough young athletes while you drive
The ultimate podcast for parents, coaches, and young athletes who want to unlock the secrets to mental toughness, confidence, and resilience. Whether you're on your way to practice, a big game, or just tackling the daily grind, these bite-sized episodes are designed to spark meaningful conversations to equip young athletes with actionable tools to thrive in school, sports and life while building strong relationships with their parents, one car ride at a time.

Hosted by Valerie Alston, former D1 athlete, sport psychology expert, and resilience coach, each episode dives into key topics like building effective self-talk, staying calm under pressure, and bouncing back from setbacks. With real-life stories, practical tips, and relatable insights, you'll discover how to support your athlete's journey while strengthening your connection along the way.

Buckle up and join us for a ride full of inspiration, growth, and the skills needed to become Confident, Calm, and Clutch!

Questions? Comments? Ideas?
✉️ Email me: valerie.alston@valstoncoaching.com

Follow Me On:
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valstoncoaching
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valstoncoaching
▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@valstoncoaching9666

✨ For exclusive tips, tools, and updates, join my newsletter:
📬 https://www.confidentcalmclutch.com/newsletter


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About your host

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Valerie Alston

Drawing from a rich background as a former D1 softball player and a Certified Mental Performance Consultant, she boasts over 15 years of experience dedicated to teaching and training Soldiers in the intricate art of mental toughness and resilience. As a distinguished author and coach, she brings a unique perspective to the realm of performance enhancement. Currently, her passion lies in empowering today's youth, leveraging her expertise to build and foster resilience through sports and mental toughness training, ensuring the next generation thrives in both their athletic pursuits and broader life challenges. With a comprehensive approach to athlete development, she extends her expertise to parents and coaches. Committed to enhancing understanding, she collaborates with them to impart valuable insights on building the mental toughness of young athletes, fostering an environment that nurtures resilience and unleashes their full potential.