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 and now a college coach at Pitt. She shares how her experience as both an athlete and coach has shaped the way she helps gymnasts work through fear, pressure, and self-doubt.

We talk about communication. Many athletes try to push through pain, exhaustion, or fear without saying anything because they worry about looking weak or losing opportunities. Lexi explains why honest conversations between athletes and coaches build trust and lead to better performance.

Another big part of the conversation is mental blocks. Lexi shares her own experience struggling on beam after a bad fall, even after successfully doing the skill thousands of times before. She explains why mental blocks do not always make logical sense and how rebuilding confidence takes patience and trust in the process.

We also discuss coaching styles, adaptability, and why athletes improve the most when they feel supported as people, not just performers.

In this episode you will hear

• Why communication builds trust
• How mental blocks happen to every athlete
• Why confidence can disappear after one mistake
• How coaches can better support athletes
• Why patience is important during setbacks

In this episode, Lexi Funk shares how athletes and coaches can work together to build trust, overcome fear, and grow through challenges.

Learn exactly what to say and do to guide your athlete through a mental block with my new book "Parenting Through Mental Blocks" Order your copy today: https://a.co/d/g990Bur

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complete_performance/

Join my FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/completeperformancecoaching/

Check out my website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

Write to me! Email: rebecca@completeperformancecoaching.com

Ready to help your athlete overcome fears and mental blocks while gaining unstoppable confidence? Discover the transformative power of PerformHappy now. If your athlete is struggling or feeling left behind, it's time for a change. Are you ready? For more info and to sign up: PerformHappy.com

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 shares his journey from being extremely hard on himself as a young athlete to learning how mindset directly impacts performance and enjoyment in the sport.

We talk about negative thoughts. Every athlete experiences them, especially under pressure. Matthew explains that thoughts like “don’t fall” can actually lead to mistakes, and how simple mental shifts like focusing on rhythm or execution can improve consistency.

Another key takeaway is self-talk. Many athletes believe being tough on themselves will help them improve, but Matthew shows that it often does more harm than good. Treating yourself with the same encouragement you would give a teammate leads to better results.

We also discuss confidence. It is not something you either have or don’t have. It is built through preparation, repetition, and trusting your training when it counts.

We also talk about resilience. Mistakes are part of the process, but learning to reset quickly and move forward is what separates great athletes. Developing a short memory and focusing on what is next can make a huge difference.

In this episode you will hear

• Why negative thoughts are normal and how to handle them
• How self-talk affects performance
• Why preparation builds confidence
• How to bounce back from mistakes

In this episode, Matthew Wenske shares how to get out of your head and perform with more confidence, focus, and control.

Learn exactly what to say and do to guide your athlete through a mental block with my new book "Parenting Through Mental Blocks" Order your copy today: https://a.co/d/g990Bur

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complete_performance/

Join my FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/completeperformancecoaching/

Check out my website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

Write to me! Email: rebecca@completeperformancecoaching.com

Ready to help your athlete overcome fears and mental blocks while gaining unstoppable confidence? Discover the transformative power of PerformHappy now. If your athlete is struggling or feeling left behind, it's time for a change. Are you ready? For more info and to sign up: PerformHappy.com

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 is not just execution. It is presence, confidence, and what she calls the “twinkle in their eye.”

We also talk about performance. Many athletes think you either have it or you don’t, but Tammy shows it can be trained. Using mirrors, music, and bigger movements, athletes can learn to project confidence and connect with judges.

Another key takeaway is scores. Gymnastics is subjective, and chasing numbers can be frustrating. Instead, the focus should be on progress, confidence, and enjoying the process.

We also discuss resilience. As a parent, it is tempting to fix everything, but growth comes from struggle. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can say is, “I believe in you.”

In this episode you will hear

• How to stand out beyond skills
• Why performance can be trained
• How to handle scores the right way
• Why resilience matters more than perfection

In this episode, Tammy DeGuzman shares how to build confident athletes who perform with presence and joy.

Learn exactly what to say and do to guide your athlete through a mental block with my new book "Parenting Through Mental Blocks" Order your copy today: https://a.co/d/g990Bur

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complete_performance/

Join my FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/completeperformancecoaching/

Check out my website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

Write to me! Email: rebecca@completeperformancecoaching.com

Ready to help your athlete overcome fears and mental blocks while gaining unstoppable confidence? Discover the transformative power of PerformHappy now. If your athlete is struggling or feeling left behind, it's time for a change. Are you ready? For more info and to sign up: PerformHappy.com