The Mental Game Plan: Building Resilience in Youth Sports

In this episode, we sit down with Michael Huber, a certified sports psychology coach who works with young athletes to strengthen their mental toughness and resilience. Michael shares how his personal experiences, including overcoming gambling addiction, led him to this field and shaped his approach to helping athletes manage pressure. We explore the mental challenges faced by today’s athletes and how to address them through mindfulness and self-awareness.

Key Topics Covered:

• Michael’s path from the corporate world to sports psychology
• The mental pressures young athletes face from parents, coaches, and social media
• Strategies for building resilience and mental toughness in competitive sports
• The role of mindfulness in performance improvement
• Identifying when mental health struggles extend beyond sports
• How parents and coaches can create a supportive environment for athletes

Memorable Quotes:

• "Resilience isn’t just getting through adversity; it’s about doing something different to leap back." — Michael Huber.
• "If we can teach athletes to recognize what they can and can’t control, they’ll function better under pressure."

Resources Mentioned:

• Michael’s Website
• Book recommendation: The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

Tune In:

Whether you're an athlete, a coach, or a parent, this conversation is packed with practical insights on supporting athletes in mastering the mental side of the game.

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