Episode 8

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Published on:

3rd Mar 2025

Switching Gears—Transitioning from Regular Season to Postseason

Topic: Transitioning from Regular Season to Playoff Mindset

In episode 8 of Car Ride Conversations, the focus is on navigating the critical transition from regular season to postseason play in sports. With the arrival of March and the playoff seasons for sports like college basketball and hockey, athletes need to prepare not just physically and tactically, but also mentally. The episode highlights the need for maintaining perspective, embracing increased intensity without feeling overwhelmed, and sticking to pre-established routines. Inspirational stories from athletes like Olivia Miles and LJ Cryer, as well as practical advice for parents and athletes to handle high-pressure situations, are shared. The episode concludes with conversation prompts to encourage deeper discussions on mental preparation and routine maintenance during high-stakes games.

00:00 Introduction to Car Ride Conversations Episode 8

00:04 Transitioning from Regular Season to Post Season

01:12 Mental Shift and Focus in High-Stakes Games

02:23 Keeping Perspective: Lessons from Athletes

05:57 Embracing Pressure and Intensity

08:08 Maintaining Routines and Habits

09:54 Interactive Discussion Questions

12:45 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Discussion questions:


  • Athlete: Reflecting on your season, how do you mentally prepare for the increased intensity of postseason games or tournament elimination games?
  • Follow-up: What specific strategies have you found effective in staying focused under pressure?
  • Parent: Can you share an experience where you faced heightened pressure in your endeavors? How did you manage to maintain consistency?
  • Follow-up: What advice would you offer to help handle high-stakes situations?
  • Together: Discuss how establishing pre-game routines can aid in managing postseason pressures. What routines could be beneficial to implement?
  • Follow-up: How can we support each other in maintaining these routines and managing stress during high-pressure times?


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.