Building Your Champion Support Team: A Guide for Young Athletes and Their Families**


Welcome to Confident, Calm, and Clutch Car Ride Conversations—a podcast designed to help parents and young athletes spark meaningful dialogue about mental toughness, resilience, and confidence. I'm Valerie Alston, your host. Today, we’re diving into an important topic I discuss in my book, *Confident, Calm, and Clutch*: building your champion support team.

The Importance of a Strong Support Network

In the world of psychology, particularly in resilience research, relationships play a critical role in our development. Humans have basic psychological needs, including competence, autonomy, and relatedness. To meet these needs, creating a supportive network is essential. This network comprises parents, coaches, teachers, and siblings who collectively help young athletes thrive.

Why Relationships Matter

Support networks provide the foundation needed to endure tough times. They are not just beneficial but necessary, offering guidance and motivation when challenges arise. For athletes, having a trusted group of individuals can significantly impact their growth, resilience, and overall well-being.

Choosing the Right People

Surrounding yourself with the right people is crucial. Your support team should inspire, challenge, and help you become your best self. This concept extends beyond athletics; it’s important for anyone striving toward personal and professional goals. Teenagers, in particular, should be mindful of their surroundings, as the people in their lives can influence their journey either positively or negatively.

The Role of Trusted Adults

For children, having at least one trusted adult is indispensable. This adult doesn’t always have to be a parent; they could be a coach, teacher, or mentor. They provide security, support, and encouragement, allowing kids to focus on achieving their goals without the worry of meeting basic needs.

Surround Yourself with Like-minded Individuals

As the saying goes, “You become who you surround yourself with.” For athletes committed to their craft, it’s critical to be around individuals who share similar values and goals. This applies to students, leaders, and anyone pursuing excellence. Avoid those who influence you negatively, as they can impede your progress and derail your ambitions.

Maintaining Gratitude and Authenticity

A successful support network requires gratitude and authenticity. Expressing appreciation strengthens bonds and reminds us of the value of our relationships. Authenticity ensures we connect with people who truly resonate with our values, creating a more meaningful bond.

Questions for Discussion

To facilitate discussion in your car ride, here are some questions to consider:

1. Who is currently part of your champion support team, and how do they support you?
2. How can you show more gratitude to those who help and support you?
3. Have you ever felt someone was holding you back, and how did you handle it?
4. As a family, how can you strengthen support for each other?


Thank you for joining us on this journey. Building a champion support team takes effort, but it’s a rewarding endeavor. If you found this post helpful, please subscribe to the podcast and share it with others who might benefit. For more tips, join my newsletter or explore my book for deeper insights into mental skills training.

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