#39 - Do Hard Things: Raising Athletes Who Aren’t Afraid to Make Mistakes S3.3

What if making more mistakes is actually the fastest way to become a better athlete? Fresh off a week of volleyball camp, Sarah and Michelle reflect on what they saw in the gym—from young athletes learning new skills and navigating frustration to older players stepping into leadership roles. They explore why adaptability, coachability, intentional practice, and the ability to recover quickly from mistakes matter just as much as technical skill. They also challenge parents to resist fixing every uncomfortable experience and instead help their athletes problem-solve, take risks, accept feedback, and keep showing up when something feels hard. Because the goal isn’t to raise athletes who never struggle—it’s to raise young people who know what to do when they do. 

Top 3 Takeaways

1. Do hard things!
2. Those who recover from mistakes quickest will experience more success
3. Being focused on you is normal and your feelings are real - the lesson is to help your athlete redirect those feelings into things they can control.