In episode 24 of the Coaching The Athletic Mind Podcast, host Megan Weaver continues her conversation with Modified West Genesee Girls soccer team coach, Kelly Slate. The episode highlights the critical role of coaches as safety nets for middle school girls, explaining the distinction between performance-based confidence and deep-rooted self-confidence. Kelly shares her observations on the evolving pressures on young athletes due to social media and parental expectations. She emphasizes the importance of building mental resilience and character over focusing solely on winning. The discussion also touches on training routines for young athletes before tryouts and managing the pressures of comparison. Megan and Kelly conclude by reflecting on the rewarding aspects of coaching and supporting young athletes.

In episode 23 of the 'Coaching The Athletic Mind Podcast,' host Megan Weaver interviews Kelly Slate, a seasoned soccer coach for Camillus Middle School. Kelly discusses her extensive background in soccer from childhood through college despite multiple ACL injuries. The conversation delves into the challenges and rewards of coaching seventh and eighth graders, emphasizing the importance of fostering self-confidence, positive reinforcement, and mental resilience among young athletes. She shares insights on managing players of varying skill levels, encouraging perseverance, and creating a supportive team environment where every player feels valued. Megan and Kelly also explore techniques for helping players recover from mistakes and maintain focus. The episode aims to inspire both coaches and players to embrace failures as opportunities for growth and to enjoy the journey of sports beyond just winning games.

In episode 22 of the 'Coaching The Athletic Mind' podcast, host Megan Weaver discusses the importance of managing athletes' concerns about others' opinions. Megan emphasizes how athletes often struggle with the desire to be liked by their teammates, which can distract them from their game. She introduces several mental tools to help athletes cope with negative comments and self-doubt, including the idea that others' opinions are none of their business, you don't have to believe them and using humor or agreement to defuse criticism. Megan also shares personal and client anecdotes to illustrate how these tools have helped athletes overcome mental barriers and perform better in their sports.