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
- Do hard things!
- Those who recover from mistakes quickest will experience more success
- 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.
What is Unstoppable Athlete - Mental Resilience for Teen Athletes?
Sara and Michelle are experienced volleyball coaches who's mission is to empower teen athletes to unlock their full potential - on and off the court - by cultivating growth mindset, building resilience, mastering sports psychology, regulating their nervous systems and setting meaningful, actionable goals.
We want to share experience and stories from young athletes and ex-pros to help young athletes be UNSTOPPABLE in competition and in life.