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Message Helping Athletes, Teams, and Coaches Perform!www.fortitude365.comPARENTS GUIDE TOSUPPORTING HIGHPERFORMANCE ATHLETESA Practical, Research-Informed HandbookP R E P A R E D F O R F O R T I T U D E 3 6 5 C L I E N T S & P A R E N T S

This parents guide to supporting high performance athletes has been developedfor you the parent. This book was developed to empower you with the basicknowledge and tools to support your athlete beyond the scoreboard. Drawing onleading research and best practices in performance education, this guide offerspractical strategies to help you foster resilience, motivation, and well-being so yourathlete can thrive both in sport and in life. IntroductionChapter 1: Building a PIE at Home (Psychologically Informed Environment)Chapter 2: Reinforcing A Culture of Excellence & EffortChapter 3: Athlete Well-BeingChapter 4: Supporting Mental Toughness or Mental Agility Chapter 5: Building a High Performance Culture at HomeFinal ThoughtsThis workbook is meant to be used in conjunction with your mentalperformance coaching and real world experiences. W H A T ' S IN S I D Ewww.fortitude365.comHelping Athletes, Teams, and Coaches Perform!

www.fortitude365.comHelping Athletes, Teams, and Coaches Perform!IntroductionCompetitive sports demand more than just talent and hard work from athletes. Success in sports—and in life—relies on a foundation of mental resilience , emotional well-being , and a strongsupport system . As a parent of a competitive athlete, you play a vital role in shaping not just theirperformance but also their overall development as a person.Supporting a high-performance athlete can be overwhelming and challenging. How do you balanceencouragement with realistic expectations? How do you provide the right kind of supportwithout adding pressure or detracting from what they are doing? How do you help them navigate themental and emotional challenges of competition while maintaining their love for the sport? Eventually, sport needs to become or treated like a job for any high-performance athlete,irrespective of whether they are getting paid to participate or not! Why This Guide?Many parents recognize the importance of mental skills, emotional regulation, and a balancedperspective in sports, but few have the resources or knowledge to apply them effectively at home.This book integrates research-backed strategies from mental performance, psychology,nutrition, and high-performance sport to give you the tools needed to support your athlete in a waythat aligns with their long-term development .In today’s competitive sports landscape , physical skills alone are not enough. The best athletesare mentally agile, emotionally resilient, and able to maintain a sustainable relationship withtheir sport. Without these elements, burnout , performance anxiety , and frustration cantake hold, leading to decreased performance, emotional distress, or even early dropout from thesport altogether. This guide will help you foster an environment that enhances performance whilesafeguarding mental and emotional well-being .

www.fortitude365.comHelping Athletes, Teams, and Coaches Perform!What You’ll LearnThis book is structured to give you a comprehensive, practical framework for supporting your athlete.You will learn: How to foster a high-performance environment at home – Understand how your words,actions, and emotional responses impact your athlete’s confidence , motivation , and resilience . How support the management expectations and pressure – Learn how to strike the rightbalance between supporting ambition and avoiding excessive stress. How to support your athlete through challenges – Gain strategies for helping them navigatesetbacks, failure, self-doubt, and adversity. The role of mental performance – Discover how confidence, focus, self-talk, and emotionalregulation, and more impact performance and how you can reinforce evidence based factors. How to promote well-being and prevent burnout – Ensure that your athlete develops ahealthy relationship with their sport and understands the importance of recovery, identity balance, andemotional well-being. How to communicate effectively – Build a stronger, more productive parent-athleterelationship through positive communication techniques.The Parent’s Role in a Competitive EnvironmentThe competitive sports environment is fast-paced, demanding, and often intense. Athletes faceexternal pressure from coaches, peers, and competition itself, let alone the internal pressure they puton themselves to perform their best. As a parent, you have the opportunity to be a stabilizing force—asource of support, wisdom, and perspective. This doesn’t mean shielding your athlete from everydifficulty, but rather equipping them with the tools to manage the highs and lows effectively.By the time you finish this book , you will have a better understanding of how to be the kind ofparent who supports you athlete in a way that enhances performance , builds resilience , andsafeguards well-being . You’ll walk away with practical strategies to implement immediately,helping your athlete not just succeed in their sport, but thrive as a person .Let’s get started!

www.fortitude365.comHelping Athletes, Teams, and Coaches Perform!Chapter 1: Building a Psychologically Informed Environment(PIE) at HomeUnderstanding Your Athlete’s "Why"Every competitive athlete has a reason for participating in their sport. Understanding and supportingthis "why" is one of the most critical roles a parent can play. Research by Deci & Ryan (1985) on Self-Determination highlights that athletes who are intrinsically motivated—driven by personalgrowth, enjoyment, or mastery—demonstrate higher resilience, self-determination, and long-term engagement in their sport. Extrinsic motivators, such as winning, parental approval, or external rewards, may provideshort-term boosts but are less sustainable over time (Ryan & Deci, 2000). When an athlete’smotivation is primarily extrinsic, their commitment can become fragile, especially when faced withsetbacks. Today’s world is full of extrinsic motivation through digital communications making the focuson internal or intrinsic motivation more needed now than ever. A psychologically informed environment (PIE) at home nurtures an athlete’s personal "why,"creating a foundation for both performance and well-being. Research on autonomy-supportiveparenting (Mageau & Vallerand, 2003) suggests that athletes who feel a sense of ownership over theirsport experience greater motivation, lower anxiety, and stronger emotional well-being.

www.fortitude365.comHelping Athletes, Teams, and Coaches Perform!How to Support Your Athlete in Finding Their WhyBuilding a psychologically informed environment means encouraging self-reflection, growth, andautonomy. Here’s how you can help your athlete find and sustain their intrinsic motivation: Encourage goal-setting with a process-based focus. Ask your athlete what their goals are, butensure they emphasize progress, effort, and learning rather than just results. Studies show thatprocess-oriented goals enhance performance and reduce pressure (Weinberg, 2010). Winning is neverfully in their control, but effort and preparation are. Ask them what their goals are for the day. Help them identify what excites them about their sport. Ask questions like: What do you loveabout your sport? What moments make you feel most fulfilled? This helps them connect with a deepersense of purpose beyond external rewards. Teach them to control the controllables. Reinforce the importance of attitude, effort, andpreparation—elements within their power. Research shows that focusing on controllables reduces stressand enhances performance (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984). Support autonomy in decision-making. Encourage your athlete to take ownership of theirtraining and goals. Studies in sport psychology suggest that autonomy-supportive environments lead togreater intrinsic motivation and long-term success (Hagger & Chatzisarantis, 2007). Signs Your Athlete is Losing Their WhyAthletes sometimes lose touch with their intrinsic motivation. Recognizing the early warning signs canhelp you intervene with support and guidance before burnout or disengagement sets in. Only discussing outcomes. If your athlete primarily talks about winning, stats, or how theycompare to others, they may be overly focused on external validation rather than personal growth. ➡ This will impact their wellbeing and performance! Avoiding hard things. A reluctance to do hard things regularly. This goes beyond attendingpractices, training hard, or competing may indicate a loss of motivation or an increase in performanceanxiety (Smith et al., 2006). Showing anxiety before competitions. While some pre-game nerves are normal (and franklynecessary), excessive worry or avoidance behaviors suggest their focus may have shifted away fromenjoyment and mastery. Lack of effort in training and games. A decrease in effort and engagement can signal that theyno longer find meaning or fulfillment in their sport (Gould, 1993).

www.fortitude365.comHelping Athletes, Teams, and Coaches Perform!Action Steps: Practical Ways to Reinforce Their WhyTo ensure your home environment supports intrinsic motivation, take these science-backed, actionablesteps: Remind your athlete complete goal setting sessions. Most athletes at the high performance levelknow how to set goals. What they don’t do well is set a mixture of process vs. performance goals.Ensure they have goals that are focused on the process and not just statistics, placement, wins/loses.Focus on skills they want to improve and aspects of their game they control. Focus post-game discussions on effort and learning. Instead of asking, Ddd you win? try, What didyou learn today? What did you do well? What will you work on next time? Research shows thatemphasizing effort over outcomes fosters resilience and sustained motivation (Dweck, 2006). Model a growth mindset. Talk about your own challenges and how you work through them. Praiseeffort, persistence, and problem-solving rather than just outcomes. Athletes who adopt a growthmindset are more likely to thrive under pressure (Yeager & Dweck, 2012). Create space for autonomy. Let your athlete have a say in their training, goal-setting, and decision-making. Ownership of their process strengthens internal motivation and self-confidence (Deci & Ryan,2000). Ownership breeds accountability, and the ability for athletes to take action, two factors coachesat the next level are always looking for. By fostering a psychologically informed environment at home, you help your athlete build a strong,sustainable connection to their sport—one that will serve them not just in competition, but in life.

www.fortitude365.comHelping Athletes, Teams, and Coaches Perform!Chapter 2: Reinforcing a Culture of Excellence & EffortWhat is a Culture of Excellence? A “Culture of Excellence” is the foundation for long-term success in high-performance sports. It’s notjust about winning—it’s about the daily commitment to mastery, effort, and self-reflection.Athletes who embrace this mindset develop habits that go beyond the game, shaping their characterand resilience for life. Scientific research supports the idea that high-performing athletes thrive in environments whereeffort, discipline, and learning are emphasized over results (Ericsson, Krampe, & Tesch-Römer, 1993).The concept of deliberate practice—a structured, goal-oriented approach to training—has been shownto be a key differentiator between elite and sub-elite athletes.

www.fortitude365.comHelping Athletes, Teams, and Coaches Perform!Key Traits of a Culture of Excellence: Consistency – Showing up every day with focus and intent, mastering both physical and mentalskills. Studies show that consistency in training builds neural pathways that enhance skill retentionand execution under pressure (Côté, Baker, & Abernethy, 2003). Resilience – Bouncing back from mistakes, learning from setbacks, and staying confident underpressure. Psychological resilience is a critical component of elite performance and is strongly linked toself-regulation and stress management Fletcher & Sarkar (2012. Ethical integrity – Honoring commitments, playing with sportsmanship, and showing respectfor teammates, coaches, and competitors. Research in sport ethics suggests that moral reasoningdevelops through exposure to value-driven discussions and consistent reinforcement of fair play(Shields & Bredemeier, 2009). Self-reflection & A learning mindset – Constantly seeking ways to improve, adapt, and growthrough feedback and self-evaluation. Carol Dweck’s (2006) growth mindset theory shows thatathletes who view challenges as opportunities for growth perform better and are more likely topersevere through adversity.Your Parental Role in Cultivating This Culture of ExcellenceAs a parent, you are the biggest influencer in shaping your athlete’s mindset. Your response tosuccess, effort, and failure helps determine how they internalize these concepts. Research on parentalinvolvement in sports (Holt, Tamminen, Black, Mandigo, & Fox, 2009) highlights that positive parentalsupport fosters confidence, whereas controlling or outcome-focused parenting can increase anxietyand burnout. Here’s how you can help reinforce a Culture of Excellence at home: Shift the focus from winning to effort-based learning. Help your athlete see success as abyproduct of consistent effort, learning, and progress, rather than just the final score. Studies confirmthat process-oriented feedback enhances intrinsic motivation and long-term engagement (Amorose &Anderson-Butcher, 2007). Model resilience, discipline, and work ethic. Your athlete watches how you handle adversity,commitments, and challenges—set the example! Parents who demonstrate grit and perseveranceinfluence their children’s ability to persist in challenging situations (Duckworth et al., 2007). Encourage your athlete to embrace boredom. Mastery comes through repetition. The bestathletes excel not because they love every training session, but because they commit to the process—even when it’s tedious and boring. Research on automaticity suggests that repeated exposure to a skillleads to its effortless execution in competition (Ericsson et al., 1993).

www.fortitude365.comHelping Athletes, Teams, and Coaches Perform!Key Takeaways for Parents: Excellence is built on effort, resilience, and integrity, not just results. Parents play a crucial role in shaping an athlete’s mindset and work ethic. Encouraging discipline and a growth mindset at home reinforces success on and off the field ofplay. Actionable Strategies for Parents: Implement weekly Check-ins. Ask your athlete: What did I learn this week? What did I do well?What can I improve? This keeps the focus on growth rather than external validation. Self-reflection hasbeen linked to increased performance and motivation in athletes (Zimmerman, 2002). Discuss how they handle failure. ➡ Help them reframe setbacks as learning moments. Insteadof Why did you lose? ask, What did you learn from this experience? Athletes who view failure as part ofthe learning process show greater long-term success (Sarkar & Fletcher, 2014). Celebrate small wins. Recognize effort, consistency, and progress—reinforce the behaviors thatlead to long-term success. Positive reinforcement strengthens intrinsic motivation (Deci & Ryan, 2000). Encourage autonomy. Give your athlete ownership over their preparation, training, and mentalapproach. Independence fosters accountability and self-motivation. Research on self-determinationtheory suggests that athletes who feel a sense of autonomy are more likely to remain engaged andcommitted (Ryan & Deci, 2000).By reinforcing a Culture of Excellence at home, you can help your athlete develop the habits andmindset that will serve them not just in sports, but in every aspect of life.

Helping Athletes, Teams, and Coaches Perform!Chapter 3: Athlete Well-BeingThe Biopsychosocial Model of Athlete Well-BeingAthlete well-being thrives when physical, mental, and social factors are in balance. Thebiopsychosocial model (Engel, 1977) explains how these areas interact to influence performance,recovery, and overall health. Athletes who take a holistic approach benefit from fewer injuries,stronger mental resilience, and longer careers (Wylleman & Lavallee, 2004). Physical Health Sleep, nutrition, hydration, and recovery fuel consistent performance and reduce injury risk(Kellmann, 2010). Individualized strength programs improve movement quality and help preventoveruse issues (McGuigan, 2017). Mental Skills Tools like self-talk, visualization, mindfulness, and stress management boost focus and resilience(Vealey, 2007). Routines and cognitive reframing help athletes stay composed under pressure(Beauchamp et al., 2012). Psychological flexibility is a key trait of elite performers (Moore, 2009). Social Support Supportive relationships with family, teammates, and coaches provide emotional fuel (Jowett &Cockerill, 2003). Environments that foster autonomy and belonging promote motivation and long-termsport commitment (Deci & Ryan, 2000). Encouraging, non-controlling parental support leads to higherconfidence and lower anxiety (Knight et al., 2018).www.fortitude365.comBiology - Sleep, hydration, nutrition, mentalhealth, stress, and load management.Psychology - Managing thoughts/emotions,mindset, focus/concentration, mental toughness,as well as basic, preparation, and performance mental skills. Sociology - Interpersonal skills, team skills, peers,family, education.

www.fortitude365.comHelping Athletes, Teams, and Coaches Perform!Actionable Strategies for Parents: Routine Development – Encourage your athlete to follow a structured morning and eveningroutines that includes sleep hygiene, hydration, nutrition, recovery, and mental preparation. Track hydration and nutrition habits – Help your athlete monitor their daily water intakeand maintain balanced meals to ensure proper fueling. Encourage active recovery – Promote recovery strategies like stretching, foam rolling, andmobility exercises after training and on off-days if needed. Create a supportive environment – Foster open communication about mental and physicalfatigue, so your athlete learns to self-regulate and advocate for their needs.By implementing these science-backed strategies, you can help athletes develop habits that supportlong-term success, resilience, and well-being—both on and off the field of play.

www.fortitude365.comHelping Athletes, Teams, and Coaches Perform!Daily Elite Performance Habits for AthletesAthletes who adopt consistent high-performance habits set themselves apart. Here are the key dailyhabits that drive elite performance: Sleep Aim for 8+ hours of quality sleep per night. Sleep before midnight is especially critical for recoveryand cognitive function (Walker, 2017).Sleep deprivation reduces reaction time, decision-making ability, and increases injury risk (Mah,2011).A consistent sleep routine (no screens before bed, consistent wake-up times) improves bothphysical and mental recovery (Watson, 2017). Hydration Athletes should consume at least 10 glasses of water daily, excluding what they drink duringtraining. Proper hydration improves endurance, reaction time, and recovery (Sawka et al., 2007).Electrolyte balance is key! Sodium, potassium, and magnesium help prevent cramping and fatigue(Maughan, 2010). Nutrition Maintain an energy balance—fuel your body to match your activity level.Focus on nutrient-dense foods such as lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats.Optimize nutritional timing—consume protein and carbohydrates within 30-60 minutes post-workout to maximize recovery (Ivy & Portman, 2004).Omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish, nuts, and seeds) reduce inflammation and aid muscle recovery(Mickleborough, 2013). Recovery Encourage active recovery methods like stretching, foam rolling, and yoga to prevent stiffness andenhance mobility and flexibility.Schedule structured rest days and follow a load management plan to prevent overtraining andburnout (Gabbett, 2016).Cold therapy, compression garments, and contrast baths can reduce muscle soreness andaccelerate recovery (Dupuy et al., 2018).

www.fortitude365.comHelping Athletes, Teams, and Coaches Perform!Chapter 4: Supporting Mental Toughness or Mental Agility What is Mental Toughness? Mental toughness or mental agility is the ability to stay composed, resilient, and focused under pressure.It allows athletes to perform when it matters most and navigate setbacks with confidence (Jones,Hanton, & Connaughton, 2007). High-performing athletes develop mental toughness through consistent practice, self-awareness,and emotional regulation. Research in sport psychology suggests that mentally tough athletesexhibit lower stress levels, greater adaptability, and improved performance under pressure(Gucciardi, Hanton, & Fleming, 2017).Key Traits of Mentally Tough Athletes Focus when it matters – Staying locked in on the task at hand, even in high-pressuremoments. Studies show that attentional control is a key predictor of elite performance (Moran, 2016). Bouncing back from setbacks quickly – Resilience and the ability to learn from failure withoutlosing confidence. Research highlights that athletes who perceive setbacks as learning experiencesshow greater long-term success (Fletcher & Sarkar, 2012). Embracing challenges & doing hard things – Viewing obstacles as opportunities to growrather than threats to avoid (Dweck, 2006). Athletes with a challenge mindset interpret stress as achance to perform rather than a signal of failure (Jones et al., 2009). Managing thoughts & emotions effectively – Regulating self-talk, handling stress, and stayingcomposed during competition. Research indicates that athletes who practice mindfulness andcognitive restructuring techniques experience better focus and emotional control (Hatzigeorgiadis etal., 2009).

www.fortitude365.comHelping Athletes, Teams, and Coaches Perform!How to Cultivate a Growth Mindset in Your AthleteA growth mindset (Dweck, 2006) fosters resilience by teaching athletes that abilities are developedthrough effort, consistency, and persistence, rather than fixed traits. Parents play a vital role inshaping how their athlete perceives challenges and effort. Praise effort, consistency, and persistence instead of talent "You’re so talented." "I noticed how hard you worked on that skill." Teach reframing techniques – Help your athlete shift negative thoughts into solution-focusedthinking. Instead of "I can’t do this," encourage "I’m still learning this skill." Encourage self-reflection – After competitions, ask "What did you learn?" rather than justfocusing on outcomes. Reflection fosters self-awareness and motivation (Zimmerman, 2002).Embracing Boredom & Consistency Elite athletes succeed because they commit to doing the boring things well. Mastery comes fromrepetition, discipline, and consistency (Ericsson, Krampe, & Tesch-Römer, 1993). Consistency is astronger predictor of success than motivation (Duckworth et al., 2007). Encourage daily self-talk & goal-setting habits – Internal dialogue and short-term goals helpsustain motivation and focus. Consistency of doing these each day helps athletes have a compasseach day. Normalize boredom in training – Help your athlete understand that progress often feelsrepetitive but is necessary for long-term growth. Studies show that deliberate practice, even whenmundane, leads to elite performance (MacNamara et al., 2016).

www.fortitude365.comHelping Athletes, Teams, and Coaches Perform!Key Takeaways for Parents Mental toughness is a skill that can be developed through practice and mindset shifts. A growth mindset fosters resilience by focusing on effort and learning rather than fixed abilities. Consistency beats motivation—success comes from doing the small things well every day. Actionable Strategies for Parents: Model mental resilience – Demonstrate how you handle challenges in your own life. Athletesmirror behaviors they see in their environment (Bandura, 1986). Reframe failures as learning opportunities – Shift the focus from "losing" to "learning." Ask: "Whatdid you learn from today’s experience?" Encourage positive self-talk – If your athlete says, "I’m not good at this," help them reframe it:"I’m getting better at this with practice."Help them set micro-goals – Instead of focusing on the end goal, break it down into daily orweekly improvements to maintain motivation and build confidence.By reinforcing mental toughness and agility at home, parents help their athletes build resilience,confidence, and a champion’s mindset—both in sports and in life. How Stress Affects PerformanceStress is an unavoidable part of competitive sports, but how an athlete perceives and responds tostress can determine their success. Research on the stress-is-enhancing mindset (Crum, Salovey, &Achor, 2013) suggests that viewing stress as a tool for growth—rather than a threat—can improvefocus, motivation, and performance under pressure. Athletes who learn to harness stress buildresilience and gain a competitive edge.Studies in sport psychology show that athletes with higher stress tolerance experience greaterperformance consistency and lower burnout rates (Fletcher & Sarkar, 2012). Stress, whenmanaged effectively, enhances cognitive function, sharpens reaction times, and strengthensmental toughness (Dienstbier, 1989).

www.fortitude365.comHelping Athletes, Teams, and Coaches Perform!Strategies for ParentsAs a parent, you play a key role in helping your athlete build resilience. Here’s how you cansupport them: Remind them of their breathwork & self-talk strategies Box breathing (inhale for 4s, hold for 4s, exhale for 4s, hold for 4s) calms the nervous systemand enhances focus (Brown & Gerbarg, 2009).Positive self-talk (“I can handle this” instead of “I can’t mess up”) improves confidence andcomposure (Hatzigeorgiadis et al., 2009). Normalize pressure Help your athlete reframe stress as a performance enhancer rather than something to fear.Use phrases like “Pressure means you’re in a position to do something great.” Research suggeststhat stress appraisals influence performance outcomes (Seery, 2011). Encourage reflection after stressful moments Ask: “What did you learn from this challenge”? instead of focusing only on the outcome.Encourage debriefing to improve emotional regulation and self-awareness (McArdle & Moore,2012).Key Takeaways for Parents Stress is not the enemy—it’s an opportunity for growth. Teaching mental resilience skills (breath work, self-talk, and emotional regulation) helps athletesthrive under pressure. Parental mindset matters—how you react to stress influences how your athlete perceives it. By fostering a resilient mindset at home, you can help athletes develop the mental tools they need tonavigate pressure, embrace challenges, and perform at their best—both in sports and in life.

www.fortitude365.comHelping Athletes, Teams, and Coaches Perform!Chapter 6: Building a High-Performance Culture at HomeHow Parents Can Model ExcellenceThe environment at home plays a crucial role in shaping an athlete’s mindset and habits. You theparent are the first role models, and your behavior sets the standard for excellence. Just as athletesneed consistency and discipline in their training, parents can reinforce these values through theirown actions. Research shows that parental modeling influences motivation, self-discipline, and resilience inyoung athletes (Holt & Knight, 2014). Your Habits Set the StandardAthletes absorb what they see more than what they hear. Demonstrating discipline, a strong workethic, and a growth mindset at home helps reinforce these qualities in your athlete (Bandura, 1977).Lead by example – Show commitment to routines, whether in work, fitness, or personaldevelopment.Stay composed under pressure – How you handle stress, setbacks, and failure teaches yourathlete how to do the same (Fletcher & Sarkar, 2012). Encourage Autonomy, Discipline, and Time ManagementGiving your athlete responsibility over their schedule, training, and preparation fosters intrinsicmotivation and long-term commitment to excellence (Deci & Ryan, 2000).Allow them to set their own goals with guidance or support.Encourage them to plan and manage their time effectively—this builds ownership over theirdevelopment.Support but don’t micromanage—allow them to learn from experience rather than controllingevery decision.Foster a "Learn and Grow" EnvironmentNormalize mistakes as part of growth and encourage reflection after challenges instead of focusingsolely on results (Dweck, 2006).Praise effort and progress over innate talent or outcomes.Ask open-ended questions after competitions: "What did you learn today?" instead of "Did youwin?"Encourage resilience by helping your athlete view setbacks as temporary and solvable (Seligman,1991).

www.fortitude365.comHelping Athletes, Teams, and Coaches Perform!The Push-Support MatrixFinding the right balance between pushing and supporting is key to creating a high-performanceculture at home. Too much push leads to stress and burnout, while too little push createscomplacency and stagnation. Too much push – Excessive pressure can cause anxiety, fear of failure, and performance-related burnout (Gustafsson, Kenttä, & Hassmén, 2011). Too little push – Lack of challenge can lead to complacency, boredom, and reducedmotivation (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990). The balance – Encouraging resilience, challenge-seeking, and intrinsic motivation byoffering both support and structured challenge (Strycharczyk & Clough, 2015).Key Takeaways for Parents Your actions shape your athlete’s mindset. Model discipline, resilience, and a commitment tolearning. The right balance of push and support fosters long-term success. Autonomy builds motivation. Allow your athlete to take ownership of their training and growth. Actionable Strategies for Parents: Assess your “Push-Support” balance – Reflect on whether you’re providing too much pressureor not enough challenge for your athlete. Give space for autonomy – Encourage your athlete to own their training, make decisions abouttheir sport, and take responsibility for their progress. Reframe setbacks as learning opportunities – Shift the focus from winning vs. losing togrowing vs. learning after competitions. Model healthy habits – Prioritize sleep, nutrition, and recovery at home to reinforce thehabits needed for high performance.By building a high-performance culture at home, parents can create an environment whereathletes feel challenged yet supported, motivated yet independent, and focused on long-term growthrather than short-term results.

www.fortitude365.comHelping Athletes, Teams, and Coaches Perform!Final Thoughts: Building a Resilient, High-Performance Athlete Throughout this E-book, we've explored the key components of athlete well-being, mental toughness,resilience, and high-performance habits. From fostering a psychologically informed environment athome to reinforcing a growth mindset, managing stress, and modeling excellence, parents play anessential role in shaping the mindset and success of their athlete.The journey to peak performance isn't just about talent or physical ability—it’s about consistency,discipline, and mental resilience. Athletes who develop these qualities not only perform better on thefield but also build the skills necessary to thrive in life beyond sport. By prioritizing mentalperformance alongside physical training, we create well-rounded, adaptable athletes who areprepared to tackle any challenge with confidence. Are you ready to take your athlete’s mental performance to the next level?At Fortitude 365, we specialize in helping athletes build the mental skills they need to perform underpressure, overcome setbacks, and develop a winning mindset. Whether you're looking for individualcoaching, team workshops, or a customized mental performance program, our team is here tohelp. Reach out to us today to learn how we can support your athlete’s journey toward peakperformance. Let’s build champions—on and off the field. Visit www.Fortitude365.com or contact us directly to get started!

F O R M O R EI N F O R M A TI O N O R T OC O N T A C T U SOur objective is to help you achieve your athletic goals by providing customizedsolutions for the challenges in this new era of athlete development.Check out more of what we do belowWhat We Do Performance ToolsPrograms We Offer Performance AppServices Performance Courseswww.fortitude365.comHelping Athletes, Teams, and Coaches Perform!

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