Episode 5

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Published on:

10th Feb 2025

Balancing Competition and Team Support in Sports

Topic: Balancing Competition and Team Support in Sports

Join host Valerie Alston in this episode of Confident Calm Clutch Car Ride Conversations as she explores the challenge of balancing a competitive spirit with being a supportive teammate. Using personal anecdotes and expert insights, Valerie offers valuable tips for parents and coaches to foster healthy competition, prioritize communication, and build team cohesion among young athletes. Key discussion questions are provided to spark meaningful dialogue between parents and their kids. Subscribe and share for more tips on building confidence and mental toughness in young athletes.

00:00 Introduction to Confident Calm Clutch Car Ride Conversations

00:23 Balancing Competitive Spirit with Team Support

01:18 Embracing Healthy Competition

04:58 Constructive Feedback and Team Cohesion

08:57 Prioritizing Communication and Trust

13:55 Discussion Questions for Athletes and Parents

16:42 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Discussion questions:

  1. What does "competing hard" mean to you in practice?
  2. How do you show respect and support for your teammates while still pushing yourself to improve?
  3. How do you handle it when you and a teammate are competing for the same position or opportunity?
  4. What’s one way your team could work together better during practices or games?


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.

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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


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About the Podcast

Car Ride Conversations
Conversation prompts for building mentally tough young athletes while you drive
Confident, Calm, and Clutch Car Ride Conversations – 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 self-belief, 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!
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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.