Next Steps:

If you want help overcoming mental blocks, pushing past fear and anxiety, and building real confidence, make sure to:

Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode.

– get an email when new episodes drop plus extra tips & tools.

If your athlete is struggling with a mental block, fear, or competition anxiety and you want real answers and a plan:

⁠👉Book a no-cost intro coaching session today!⁠

Summary:

In this episode of the Mind Over Mental Block podcast, host Mandy Patterson discusses the common experience of nerves among athletes before competitions. She emphasizes the importance of reframing nervousness into excitement and provides actionable tips for athletes and parents to navigate these feelings. The conversation aims to empower listeners to anticipate positive outcomes and support each other through the challenges of competitive sports, especially cheerleading and gymnastics.Takeaways

• Mandy Patterson shares her personal experience with mental blocks.
• The podcast is designed for athletes, parents, and coaches.
• Nervousness is a common feeling before competitions.
• Reframing nervousness as excitement can change your mindset.
• Visualizing positive outcomes can enhance performance.
• Parents can support their athletes by understanding their feelings.
• Mandy encourages listeners to embrace imperfection.
• The importance of communication between athletes and parents is highlighted.
• Anticipating good things can boost confidence.
• Mandy believes in the strength and capability of every athlete.

Chapters

00:00

Introduction to Mind Over Mental Block

02:50

Understanding Competition Nerves

06:23

Reframing Nervousness to Excitement

10:37

Anticipating Positive Outcomes

Keywords:

Keywords

mental blocks, competition nerves, excitement, athletes, coaching, support, mindset, encouragement, cheerleading, gymnastics

Next Steps:

If you want help overcoming mental blocks, pushing past fear and anxiety, and building real confidence, make sure to:

• Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode.

• Join Mandy’s MVP List – get an email when new episodes drop plus extra tips & tools.

If your athlete is struggling with a mental block, fear, or competition anxiety and you want real answers and a plan:

👉 Book a no-cost 30-minute Intro Coaching Session

Summary

In this episode of the Mind Over Mental Block podcast, Mandy Patterson discusses the challenges athletes face with mental blocks and the tension that arises between parents and athletes.

She emphasizes the importance of understanding the root causes of mental blocks, including negative self-talk and perfectionism, and offers strategies for overcoming them.

Mandy encourages athletes to shift their mindset and highlights the need for support from parents and coaches to navigate these challenges effectively.

Takeaways

• Understanding the source of tension can help alleviate frustration.
• Negative self-talk can hinder an athlete's performance.
• Perfectionism can create unrealistic expectations for athletes.
• Competition pressure can lead to avoidance of challenging skills.
• Finding joy in practice is essential for athletes.
• Support from parents and coaches is crucial during tough times.
• Creating a plan can help athletes overcome mental blocks.
• It's important to address mental blocks head-on for progress.
• 
  

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Tension in Sports

04:23 The Athlete-Parent Dynamic

07:50 Mental Blocks and Their Impact

11:29 Navigating Competition Pressure

14:13 Building Supportive Relationships

15:51 Introduction and Purpose of the Episode

16:14 Resources and Support for Listeners

mental blocks, sports psychology, athlete mindset, performance coaching, overcoming fear, self-talk, competition pressure, parent support, gymnastics, cheerleading

Next Steps:

If you want help overcoming mental blocks, pushing past fear and anxiety, and building real confidence, make sure to:

• Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode.

• Join Mandy’s MVP List – get an email when new episodes drop plus extra tips & tools. ⁠⁠Click here to become an MVP!⁠⁠

If your athlete is struggling with a mental block, fear, or competition anxiety and you want real answers and a plan:

👉 Book a no-cost 30-minute Intro Coaching Session⁠⁠ [Click here to schedule]⁠⁠

Mental blocks don’t mean you’re broken, behind, or doomed to stay stuck. They’re a sign your brain is working — and with the right tools, you can come out stronger, more confident, and more resilient on the other side.

Overview:In this episode of the Mind Over Mental Block podcast, Mandy Patterson dives into the concept of mental blocks, particularly in the context of athletes in cheerleading and gymnastics. She explains how the term 'mental block' can create a heavy burden for athletes, making them feel stuck and resistant to progress. Mandy emphasizes the importance of shifting the mindset from viewing mental blocks as personal failures to seeing them as challenges to overcome. By reframing the narrative, athletes can regain their confidence and joy in their sport, ultimately leading to better performance and personal growth.

Takeaways:

• Mental blocks are often described as a heavy burden for athletes.
• The term 'mental block' can create resistance and tension in performance.
• Changing the phrasing from 'my mental block' to 'a challenge I'm working through' can shift perspective.
• Mental blocks are built up over time from pressure and fear.
• Athletes should not take ownership of their mental blocks as personal failures.
• Mental blocks can be seen as opportunities for growth and improvement.
• A growth mindset can help athletes navigate challenges more effectively.
• Recognizing mental blocks as challenges can reduce anxiety and pressure.
• Support from coaches and parents is crucial in overcoming mental blocks.
• Mental performance coaching can provide valuable tools for athletes.

Chapters:

Introduction to Mental Blocks

Understanding Mental Blocks

Shifting Perspectives on Mental Blocks

Overcoming Mental Blocks and Finding Joy

mental blocks, athletes, cheerleading, gymnastics, performance coaching, mindset, overcoming challenges, mental performance, sports psychology, confidence

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• What a mental block really is …and btw, it’s not laziness, drama, or a cry for attention.

• What a mental block feels like on the inside
  Mandy shares her own experience as a competitive cheerleader — the stomach drop, the “knot” feeling, and the freeze when your body just won’t go.

• What it looks like from the outside (for parents & coaches)The fidgeting, stutter steps, endless “5-6-7-8s,” and why it’s so confusing to watch a skill disappear seemingly overnight.

• How mental blocks actually develop over time from

  • Perfectionism and pressure

  • Fear of letting people down

  • Environment and coaching style

  • Inconsistency, level changes, and injury

• What not to do when an athlete is blockedWhy “Just throw it,” “Get over it,” and “You’ve got this, just do it” are not helpful (even when your heart is in the right place).

• Simple shifts for parents & coaches that actually help

  • A better question than “How was practice?”

  • How to reduce pressure by focusing less on the outcome and more on what the athlete can control

  • How to give one simple, helpful cue instead of overwhelming them with the entire skill

• The hopeful side of mental blocksHow working through a block can actually make an athlete stronger, more resilient, and more equipped for life beyond the sport.

• AthletesWho feel stuck, frustrated, or “broken” because they can’t do a skill they’ve already mastered.

• ParentsWho are watching their child struggle, feel helpless, and wish they could just run out on the mat and fix it for them.

• CoachesWho want to support their athletes better, reduce pressure in a high-pressure sport, and understand what’s really going on when a skill suddenly disappears.

• A mental block is a fear response, not a choice.

• Your athlete’s brain is not broken — it’s actually doing its job and trying to keep them safe.

• Pressure doesn’t just come from skills; it comes from expectations, scoring, team needs, money, time, and not wanting to let anyone down.

• Outcome-focused conversations (“Did you do your skill?”) add pressure.

• Supportive questions like “What’s something you’re proud of from practice today?” help athletes see their progress and feel less like a failure.

If you want help overcoming mental blocks, pushing past fear and anxiety, and building real confidence, make sure to:

• Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode.

• Join Mandy’s MVP List – get an email when new episodes drop plus extra tips & tools. Click here to become an MVP!

If your athlete is struggling with a mental block, fear, or competition anxiety and you want real answers and a plan:

👉 Book a no-cost 30-minute Intro Coaching Session [Click here to schedule]

Mental blocks don’t mean you’re broken, behind, or doomed to stay stuck. They’re a sign your brain is working — and with the right tools, you can come out stronger, more confident, and more resilient on the other side.

Thanks for listening to the very first episode of the Mind Over Mental Block Podcast.

mental blocks, performance anxiety, gymnastics, cheerleading, mental coaching, athlete support, overcoming fear, mental performance, coaching tips, sports psychology

If you’ve ever seen an athlete freeze up on a skill they’ve done a hundred times, you know how real mental blocks can be. The Mind Over Mental Block Podcast with Mental Performance Coach Mandy Patterson helps cheerleaders, gymnasts, coaches, and sports parents understand what’s really going on in the athlete’s mind — and what to do about it.
Get mindset tips, practice and performance pep talks, and real athlete success stories to help you overcome fear, rebuild confidence, and perform with joy again.
Follow now and visit mgpcoach.com for more tips, inspiration, and encouragement.