In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast, I sit down with gymnastics physical therapist Dr. Jenny Borda to talk about one of the hardest things for gymnasts, parents, and coaches to navigate: knowing the difference between being sore, being scared, and being injured.

I see this come up all the time with athletes who are unsure when they should speak up about pain. They worry their coach will think they are making excuses, or they are afraid that saying something means they will miss a competition. Jenny and I talk about why communication early on matters, and why creating a safe space for athletes to share what they are feeling can make such a difference.

Jenny breaks down how pain is not always a sign of injury, but it is always information worth paying attention to. We talk about the “green,” “yellow,” and “red” zones and how athletes can learn to understand what their bodies are telling them instead of immediately feeling like they have to either push through or stop completely.

We also dive into something I see often in gymnastics: when fear and pain become connected. Sometimes an athlete’s body reacts because something feels unsafe, even when there is not a clear injury. Jenny explains why we should not dismiss that experience and why asking the right questions can help uncover what is really going on.

In this episode you will hear

• Why gymnasts are afraid to tell someone when they are hurting
• How parents and coaches can respond in a way that builds trust
• The difference between soreness, fear, pain, and injury
• Why communication can prevent bigger problems
• How athletes can better understand their own bodies
• Why caring for the athlete matters beyond gymnastics

This conversation is an important reminder that supporting gymnasts is not just about getting through the next practice or competition. It is about helping athletes feel heard, supported, and confident in understanding their bodies throughout their journey.

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

In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast, I sit down with former professional dancer and former Rockette Gabby Roberts to talk about chasing big dreams, overcoming rejection, building confidence, and learning how to never let someone else decide what is possible for you. Gabby shares her journey of being told she didn’t fit the image of a professional dancer, facing rejection from her college program, and continuing to pursue her goal even when others questioned her path.

Gabby opens up about the impact that comments about body type, talent, and potential can have on young athletes and performers. She explains why feedback needs to come with support and guidance, and how words from coaches, teachers, and people around us can shape the beliefs we carry about ourselves.

We also talk about the importance of having a support system when pursuing a difficult goal, why confidence often comes after making the decision to keep going, and how visualization helped Gabby prepare for auditions and performances. She shares why success is not just about wanting a dream badly, but about trusting the process, putting in the work, and staying committed through setbacks.

In this episode you will hear

• Why you should never let someone else define your limits
• How rejection can become motivation instead of a reason to quit
• The role parents and coaches play in supporting young athletes
• Why confidence comes from preparation and consistency
• How to separate your self-worth from outcomes
• Why loving the process matters when chasing a big dream

This conversation is a powerful reminder that someone else’s doubt does not have to become your reality. When athletes learn to trust themselves, embrace challenges, and keep showing up, they create opportunities they never thought were possible.

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

In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast, I sit down with former D1 gymnast, Parkettes alum, psych nurse, and mom of two gymnasts Jacqueline Barbera to talk about her journey through elite gymnastics, the lessons she learned, and how she would approach the sport differently today.

Jacqueline shares what it was like growing up in a high-level gymnastics environment, moving across the country to pursue her dreams, and the challenges that came with elite training. She opens up about the pressure, the expectations, and how not having a voice as an athlete affected confidence, fear, and performance.

We also explore what young athletes need most from their coaches and parents. Jacqueline explains why creating a safe environment does not mean lowering standards, but instead finding the balance between pushing athletes and helping them feel supported. She shares how her own experiences shaped the way she views coaching, parenting, and the future of gymnastics.

Drawing from her experience as a psych nurse, former gymnast, and mom, Jacqueline discusses the connection between stress, recovery, confidence, and mental blocks. She explains why athletes need the right amount of challenge, but also need space to communicate, recover, and trust themselves.

In this episode you will hear

• What elite gymnastics taught Jacqueline about resilience and discipline
• How fear and pressure can impact an athlete’s confidence
• Why athletes need a voice in their training
• The difference between being pushed and being overwhelmed
• How parents can support young athletes without adding pressure
• Why stress and recovery both matter for performance
• What Jacqueline would tell her younger gymnast self

This conversation is a powerful reminder that success in gymnastics is not only about skills, scores, or medals. The athletes who thrive are the ones who learn to trust themselves, feel supported, and build a healthier relationship with the sport they love.

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