PerformHappy with Rebecca Smith

Latest Episodes:

How US National Team Member Zoey Molomo Trains Her Mind to Stay Consistent Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

There is something powerful about hearing a young athlete describe what it feels like to step into a moment they once only imagined. For Zoey Molomo, that moment came at 15 years old when she competed at Olympic Trials alongside the best gymnasts in the world. What stands out most is not just the stage, but the calm, joy, and perspective she brought with her into it.

Zoey shares how her love for gymnastics started early, from being a kid who loved being upside down to watching Gabby Douglas in the 2012 Olympics and seeing what was possible. That spark carried her through elite training, big competitions, and the realization that she truly belonged at the highest levels of the sport.

The conversation dives into the mental side of performance, including how Zoey learned to manage pressure by keeping competition simple. With the help of mental coaching, she reframed meets as just one more routine, developed tools to quiet overthinking, and learned how consistency is built through preparation and trust. She also reflects on injuries at a young age, the patience they required, and how those challenges helped her grow confidence, communication, and resilience.

Zoey also talks about the importance of strong support systems, from parents and coaches to mentors and teammates, and how a positive, connected environment has allowed her to thrive both mentally and emotionally. As she looks ahead to UCLA, she shares her excitement for team competition and continuing to grow as an athlete and as a person.

In this episode, you will hear
• What it felt like to compete at Olympic Trials at 15
• How Zoey learned to handle pressure and expectations
• The mental tools that helped her stop overanalyzing
• How injuries shaped her resilience and confidence
• Why support and joy matter in elite gymnastics

In this week’s episode of the PerformHappy Podcast, I talk with elite gymnast Zoey Molomo about Olympic Trials, mental training, injury recovery, and building confidence on the biggest stages.

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
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Building an Unstoppable Mindset with Isabelle David Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

There is something powerful about hearing an athlete talk about the moment their childhood dream becomes real. For Isabelle David, it started with wanting to flip like the older girls and never losing that spark. She chased big dreams even before she fully understood them, and that drive carried her all the way to the Jamaican National Team.

Representing Jamaica at Junior Worlds was the moment everything clicked. Isabelle shares how she stood beside top athletes and felt a mix of pride and imposter syndrome. She realized she was doing the very thing she dreamed about as a young gymnast. That experience gave her confidence, focus, and a belief in herself that she still carries today.

Her journey also shows the reality of setbacks. After committing to the University of Michigan, she got injured while competing for Jamaica. The fear of what might happen next was real, but she chose to trust her coaches, create a plan, and work step by step toward her comeback. Her story reminds young gymnasts, parents, and coaches that confidence grows when you stay grounded, patient, and clear about your goals.

In this episode, you will hear
• What it felt like for Isabelle to represent Jamaica
• How imposter syndrome shows up for elite gymnasts
• The injury moment that tested her belief
• Why mental training helped her stay steady
• How she built her confidence again
• The trust that helped her choose the University of Michigan

In this week’s episode of the PerformHappy Podcast, I talk with elite gymnast Isabelle David about dreams, injuries, confidence, and the mindset that helped her rise through every challenge.

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Neurofeedback for Anxiety, ADHD, and Mental Blocks- A Beginner’s Guide with Lisa Kramer, LCPC Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

There is nothing more powerful than understanding what your brain is doing behind the scenes. So many athletes push through fear, anxiety, and overwhelm without ever knowing that their brain waves might be the real reason they feel stuck. When your brain is sending protection signals, confidence feels harder, focus slips, and even simple skills can feel impossible.

Neurofeedback opens a window into that hidden world. In the conversation with Lisa Kramer, she explains how an EEG can reveal patterns that athletes carry every day without realizing it. Some brains stay in fight or flight even when there is no real danger. Others work so hard to stay alert that they never truly rest. These patterns can affect sleep, school, training, and the ability to stay calm under pressure.

What makes neurofeedback so unique is that it teaches the brain how to regulate itself. As Lisa shares, the brain responds to real time feedback on a screen. When it moves toward healthier and more efficient patterns, the screen brightens and the sound stays clear. When it slips toward the patterns that cause trouble, the screen dims. Without trying, the brain begins to choose what feels rewarding. The more it practices, the more those healthy patterns stick.

For athletes with fear or mental blocks, this can be life changing. Lisa talks about how she often finds clear signs on the EEG that the freeze response is stuck on. It might not show up only during skills. It can hum quietly beneath everything they do. Once the brain learns how to settle, athletes finally get the pause they need to use their mental tools. They can think before reacting. They can trust their body again.

Parents and coaches, this is why your athlete is not choosing fear. Their brain is simply working overtime. Neurofeedback gives the brain a chance to reset. It helps them feel organized, awake, and able to focus. Many people notice subtle changes within a few sessions. Better sleep. Less panic. More clarity. A little more calm. These small changes build into confidence that lasts.

In this episode, you will hear
• What an EEG shows about an athlete’s brain
• Why some athletes stay stuck in fight or flight
• How neurofeedback teaches the brain to regulate itself
• Real signs of progress athletes often feel in daily life
• Hopeful guidance for families navigating fear and mental blocks

In this week’s episode of the PerformHappy Podcast, I sit down with neurofeedback specialist Lisa Kramer to break down how neurofeedback works and why it can help athletes with fear, anxiety, ADHD, concussion symptoms, and mental blocks. Lisa shares clear explanations and real stories that give so much hope to athletes and families who are ready for a new way forward.

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The Milton Twins- Confidence, Faith, and Elite Gymnastics Nov 25, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever watched two young athletes rise through the hardest sport and wondered how they stay grounded through it all? Maybe you have seen your own gymnast pushing through pressure, comparison, or setbacks and you hope they will find the joy again. Every parent, coach, and young gymnast knows that feeling of needing something deeper to hold on to.

In this week’s episode of the PerformHappy Podcast, I talk with Senior Elite gymnasts Annalisa and Malea Milton, twins who share a bond that has shaped every step of their journey. They are identical, but so different in personality. One is outgoing, one is quieter. One bounces back faster from bars, the other takes more time. Yet together, they lift each other, encourage each other, and stay steady through the intense world of elite gymnastics. Their story is full of wisdom for anyone who wants a healthier, more joyful path in this sport.

They share how their faith helps them stay strong, how communication with coaches builds trust, and how important it is to know yourself outside of gymnastics. They talk about injuries that changed everything, seasons that felt heavy, and the moment they realized that doing gymnastics for someone else will always lead to burnout. They also share the mindset skills that keep them steady in competition, from prayer to simple reminders like trusting the work they do every day.

In this episode, you will hear

• How Annalisa and Malea learned to support each other through comparison and injury
• Why trusting the big picture can shift the entire gymnastics journey
• What they look for in a healthy gym environment and coaching style
• How doing gymnastics for yourself builds true confidence and joy

Your sport cannot be the only thing that defines you. You must find who you are beyond the scores, the medals, and the pressure. This is the heart of the Milton twins’ message, and it is a powerful one for every gymnast, parent, and coach.

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The Power of Never Giving Up with Utah Gymnast Sarah Krump Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever watched your athlete work unbelievably hard and still wonder if their moment will ever come? Maybe you have seen them push through setbacks, fear, or comparison and you hope someday all that effort will pay off. Every gymnast and every sports parent knows that feeling of waiting for the breakthrough.

In this week’s episode of the PerformHappy Podcast, I talk with Utah gymnast Sarah Krump, whose story is a powerful lesson in perseverance. Sarah grew up dreaming of competing for Utah, but when recruiting came around, the path did not unfold the way she imagined. She chose to walk on with no scholarship, trusting her gut even when the odds felt small.

She shares how she struggled with confidence in her early college years, how comparison held her back, and how her coaches and sports psych team helped her return to the joy of her own gymnastics. Then she tells the unforgettable story of being thrown unexpectedly into the floor lineup and delivering a routine that changed everything. Her journey is full of hope for parents, coaches, and young gymnasts who wonder if staying the course still matters.

In this episode, you will hear

• How Sarah followed her dream even without a scholarship
• What helped her overcome comparison and trust herself again
• The surprising moment she was called into the floor lineup
• How staying ready led to her breakthrough

Your gymnastics is for you to do. Your gymnastics is not for someone else to do. - Sarah Krump

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Becoming Fearless with Elite Skeleton Racer Andy Whittier Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever wanted something so big that it scared you? Maybe your dreams feel exciting and terrifying at the same time. Every athlete, at some point, faces that moment where fear and possibility collide.

In this week’s episode of the PerformHappy Podcast, I talk with Team USA skeleton racer Andy Whittier about what it really means to become fearless. Andy is in the run up to the Winter Olympics, chasing huge goals while training his mind as hard as his body.

He shares his journey from college football player to elite skeleton athlete, racing headfirst down icy tracks at almost 90 miles per hour. We talk about how he uses visualization, trust, and mental training to stay calm when every instinct tells him to hit the brakes.

Andy’s story is a reminder that fear is not something to get rid of but something to work with. True confidence comes from preparation, focus, and the courage to keep going even when your brain says stop.

In this episode, you will hear

• How Andy went from college football to Team USA skeleton racing
• What becoming fearless really looks like in action
• How visualization helps him perform under pressure
• The mental skills that keep him steady in high-stakes moments

"Run, let it run, because we have to push our sled, right? So I just run, let it run. Two, relax and trust it, and everything's going to be okay. And just those two reminders at the beginning of a race really just calm me down." - Andy Whittier

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Finding Joy & Confidence after Injury with Rebekah Bean Ripley Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

There is nothing more heartbreaking than watching an athlete lose the sport they love to injury. The pain is not only physical but also emotional. For many gymnasts, it can feel like their confidence disappears right along with their routines.

In this week’s episode of the PerformHappy Podcast, I sit down with former BYU gymnast Rebekah Bean Ripley, known for her viral Barbie Girl floor routine. Rebekah shares her journey through back and ACL injuries, the long and emotional rehab process, and how she found her way back to joy in gymnastics.

She opens up about the mindset shift that helped her release the pressure of outcomes and reconnect with the fun of performing. Rebekah’s story is full of hope and real tools for athletes working through fear and for parents trying to support them through tough seasons.

We also talk about how Rebekah is now mentoring young athletes and giving back the encouragement she received during her own recovery. Her story shows that setbacks can lead to strength and that joy can return even after heartbreak.

In this episode, you will hear

• How Rebekah worked through back and ACL injuries
• The mindset shift that helped her find joy again
• Simple tools for fear and rebuilding confidence
• Support tips for parents of injured athletes
• How Rebekah is mentoring the next generation of gymnasts

With resilience, you can do anything. You just keep showing up, keep putting one foot in front of the other. - Rebekah Bean Ripley

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The Future of Cal Gymanstics with Geralen Stack-Eaton Oct 28, 2025

Show notes

There is something truly powerful about a coach who sees more than just the athlete in front of them. Someone who understands that success is not just about medals but about growth, confidence, and character.

In this week’s episode of the PerformHappy Podcast, I sat down with Geralen Stack Eaton, the new head coach of Cal Gymnastics, and discovered a coaching philosophy that every athlete and parent needs to hear. Geralen’s journey from a struggling gymnast to an NCAA national champion shaped the way she leads with compassion, purpose, and resilience.

What makes her story so special is how she balances high expectations with genuine care. Through her experiences at Alabama and Minnesota, she learned that true success happens when athletes feel seen and supported, not just pushed to perform.

One of the biggest takeaways from our conversation was Geralen’s belief that every challenge is an opportunity for growth. Whether it is overcoming performance anxiety, breaking through mental blocks, or rebuilding confidence after setbacks, she helps her athletes see obstacles as part of their transformation, not the end of the road.

In this episode, I share

• Geralen’s inspiring journey from gymnast to national champion
• Her approach to building a strong, supportive team culture
• How she helps athletes turn fear into confidence
• Why personal growth matters more than medals

Her words are a reminder that being a great coach is about more than winning. It is about helping young people discover who they are and what they are capable of. As Geralen beautifully said,
“Keep taking a step every single day to try to step outside your comfort zone. Even if it does not feel like the best day, there is always something good that can come out of every single day.”

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What Not to Do When Having a Mental Block Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

There is nothing more frustrating than watching your gymnast freeze on a skill they know how to do. One day it looks easy, and the next day, fear and hesitation take over. It can leave both of you confused and unsure how to help.

In this week’s episode of the PerformHappy Podcast, I talk about the things that actually make mental blocks worse and what to do instead. Around this time of year, I call it Nervous November because fears seem to grow stronger and confidence can feel shaky. The good news is that there are small changes that make a big difference.

The first mistake to stop making is taking long breaks from the skill. Avoiding it feels easier, but it only keeps the fear alive. Instead, find a safe version of the skill and work there. Confidence grows when your gymnast can stretch their comfort zone without feeling overwhelmed.

The second thing to stop doing is trying to trick the brain. Fear is not something to fight or ignore. It is the brain’s way of saying, “Let’s slow down and check if this is safe.” When you listen to that signal and take small steps forward, progress comes faster.

Bribes and threats do not work either. Saying things like “You can’t leave until you do it” or offering a reward adds pressure. Mental blocks are not a motivation problem. Your gymnast already wants it. What helps most is calm support and patience.

In this episode, I share

• Why avoiding skills keeps fear alive
• Why tricking your brain backfires
• Why pressure and bribes slow down progress
• How to help your gymnast rebuild confidence one step at a time

The best way through a mental block is not to fight it but to understand it. When you listen to your brain, take small steps, and stay patient, confidence will return. — Rebecca Smith

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When is it Time to Leave a Toxic Training Environment Oct 14, 2025

Show notes

There is nothing more painful than watching your athlete lose their love for the sport they once adored. The stomach aches before practice, the tears in the car, the fear that never used to be there. It breaks your heart.

In this week’s episode of the PerformHappy Podcast, I’m talking about toxic training environments. These are gyms where kids feel scared, anxious, or unsafe. Places where yelling and shaming are mistaken for motivation.

Every week, I talk to athletes who believe this is just the way it is. But it does not have to be. You cannot build confidence when you feel emotionally unsafe.

So how do you know when a gym crossed the line? It might look like being told to perform while injured. It might look like you are being ignored because you are not the favorite. Or it might feel like being afraid to speak up because you fear retaliation. These are not tough coaching moments. They are red flags.

If your athlete dreads practicing or feels small and scared, please listen. Those feelings matter. Healthy gyms exist. Places where kids feel safe, supported, and excited to train. Visit, ask questions, and trust your gut.

I have seen athletes leave toxic gyms, find coaches who care, and within two weeks they are doing all their skills again. It is really incredible what happens when a child feels nurtured instead of criticized.

If this sounds familiar, know that you are not alone. You can reach out to me anytime if you need to talk it through. Together, we can create a culture in youth sports where kids are built up, not torn down.

In this episode, I talked about:

✅How to spot red flags in a training environment
✅Why tough coaching can cross into emotional abuse
✅What a healthy, nurturing gym really looks like

“It’s really incredible what happens if you’re being nurtured in your training environment.” – Rebecca Smith

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