The Balanced Athlete Car Convos; About Purpose, Balance and Play!

Who are you without the trophy? Accomplishments - Jessie Brodmerkel

Episode on Accomplishment
A — Accomplishment
“Accomplishment is about becoming someone you’re proud of, not just someone who wins.”
Teach athletes to set layered goals: daily, weekly, seasonal. Go back to Kaizen moments.
Celebrate progress, not just outcomes.
Track personal bests to build internal motivation.
Reinforce that accomplishment includes character growth, not just stats.
A — Accomplishment Check List/Journal Prompts
For Teen Athletes
Did I set and complete a small goal today?
Did I track progress toward a larger goal?
Did I recognize improvement, even if it was small?
Did I celebrate a character win (patience, grit, leadership)?
For Parents
Did I celebrate progress, not perfection?
Did I help my teen set realistic, layered goals?
Did I acknowledge their growth outside of stats or scores?
Did I reinforce that accomplishment includes who they are becoming?
 
 
Car Convo Talking Points:
What did you achieve today, both big and small?
How does this accomplishment bring you closer to fulfilling your Ikigai?
What’s one accomplishment you’re proud of?
 
How Coaches and Parents Can Use PERMA Together
Create shared language: “What was your engagement moment today?”
Encourage parents to praise effort and attitude, not just performance.
Use PERMA check-ins during car rides, team meetings, or recovery days.
 
What Teen Athletes Say When PERMA Is Working
“I feel more confident.”
“I’m not as stressed.”
“I actually enjoy practice again.”
“I feel like I belong.”
These are the outcomes that keep kids in sports longer — and healthier.
 
Wrap-Up Message for the Episode
“PERMA isn’t another thing to add to training — it’s the foundation that makes training meaningful. When teen athletes feel positive, engaged, connected, purposeful, and accomplished, they don’t just perform better. They become better humans.”
Linktree

Meaning is the Anchor When Performance is Shaky - Jessie Brodmerkel

Episode on Meaning
 M — Meaning
“Meaning is the anchor that keeps teens steady when performance gets shaky.”
Connect training to something bigger than the scoreboard.
Ask: “Who do you want to become through this sport?”
Tie team goals to values like resilience, service, leadership.
Use community service or mentoring younger athletes to deepen purpose.
M — Meaning Check List/Journal Prompts
For Teen Athletes
Did I connect today’s training to who I want to become?
Did I remember why I love this sport?
Did I act in alignment with my values (effort, leadership, resilience)?
Did I do something that made me feel part of something bigger?
For Parents
Did I help my teen connect their sport to their personal growth?
Did I reinforce values over outcomes?
Did I support their long‑term development, not just short‑term wins?
Did I help them see the bigger purpose behind the hard days?
Car Convo Talking Points:
How did today’s events contribute to something larger than yourself?
Did you take any actions that aligned with your life purpose or helped others?
When did you feel most engaged?
What felt meaningful about your effort?
Linktree

Teen Athletes Need Belonging - Jessie Brodmerkel

Episode on Relationships
R — Relationships
“Teen athletes don’t just need teammates — they need a tribe.”
Team culture is everything for teens — belonging drives effort.
Build rituals: partner warm-ups, shout-outs, buddy accountability.
Teach communication skills: how to give feedback, how to ask for help.
Model coach-athlete trust through consistency and transparency.
R — Relationships Check List/Journal Prompts
For Teen Athletes
Did I support a teammate today?
Did I communicate clearly and respectfully?
Did I ask for help when I needed it?
Did I contribute to a positive team environment?
For Parents
Did I strengthen my connection with my teen today?
Did I model healthy communication and emotional regulation?
Did I support their relationships with coaches and teammates?
Did I avoid adding pressure that could strain our relationship?
 
Relationship Car Convo Talking Points:
 
Who did you connect with today, and how did those interactions support your growth or your contributions to others?
Episode on Relationships
R — Relationships
“Teen athletes don’t just need teammates — they need a tribe.”
Team culture is everything for teens — belonging drives effort.
Build rituals: partner warm-ups, shout-outs, buddy accountability.
Teach communication skills: how to give feedback, how to ask for help.
Model coach-athlete trust through consistency and transparency.
R — Relationships Check List/Journal Prompts
For Teen Athletes
Did I support a teammate today?
Did I communicate clearly and respectfully?
Did I ask for help when I needed it?
Did I contribute to a positive team environment?
For Parents
Did I strengthen my connection with my teen today?
Did I model healthy communication and emotional regulation?
Did I support their relationships with coaches and teammates?
Did I avoid adding pressure that could strain our relationship?
 
Relationship Car Convo Talking Points:
 
Who did you connect with today, and how did those interactions support your growth or your contributions to others?
Linktree

Engagement in Sport Jessie Brodmerkel

Episode on Engagement
E — Engagement
“When teens feel engaged, they stop performing for approval and start performing from purpose.”
Help athletes find their “flow moments” — drills or roles where they feel fully absorbed.
Rotate responsibilities so each athlete experiences challenge and mastery.
Use short, focused training blocks to keep attention high.
Encourage athletes to set micro-goals for each practice.
E — Engagement Check List/Journal Prompts
For Teen Athletes
Did I find a moment of “flow” in practice or competition?
Did I stay focused on the drill or task in front of me?
Did I challenge myself in a way that felt meaningful?
Did I set a small goal for today’s practice?
For Parents
Did I ask my teen what part of practice felt most engaging?
Did I encourage them to explore roles or skills they enjoy?
Did I help reduce distractions that pull them out of focus?
Did I praise their curiosity and effort to improve?
Engagement Car Convo Talking Points:
When did you feel fully absorbed in an activity?
What were you doing, and how did it connect to your sense of purpose?
Linktree
 

Positive Emotions Jessie Brodmerkel

PERMA EPISODEs
Positive Psychology in Sports
PERMA is gold for teen athletes, and weaving it into a training conversation on your podcast will feel both practical and inspiring. You can frame it as a way to build not just better athletes, but healthier, more resilient humans. Here’s a set of strong, clear talking points you can drop straight into an episode.
 
Incorporating PERMA Into Teen Athlete Training
Why PERMA Matters for Teen Athletes
Teen athletes are developing identity, confidence, and emotional regulation — PERMA gives them a framework to thrive on and off the field.
It shifts training from performance-only to whole-person development, which parents love and coaches need.
Helps prevent burnout, comparison culture, and the “win-at-all-costs” mindset.
Helps celebrate small wins: effort, attitude, leadership moments.
Uses gratitude practices at the start or end of practice.
Reframes mistakes as data, not failure.
Teach athletes to recognize what went right before what went wrong.
P — Positive Emotion - “Positive emotion isn’t about fake hype — it’s about helping teens build emotional momentum.”
P- Positive emotions – the foundation of well-being, this includes joy, gratitude, serenity, excitement, pride, hope and inspiration. This element focuses on increasing the frequency of positive emotions in daily life which leads to greater overall happiness.
 
Positive Emotions – from Pat Ivey Performance How NFL Stars Stay Motivated & Resilient: The PERMA Model in Action - My Doctoral Dissertation Part 5 - Pat Ivey
Positive Emotions: Controlling Your Mindset
The best athletes understand one simple truth: your thoughts control your performance.
NFL players deal with extreme pressure. Every snap is scrutinized, every mistake is amplified, and every decision is made under intense conditions. If they allow negativity to take over—self-doubt, frustration, fear—they won’t last long.
That’s why elite players train themselves to focus on positive emotions that fuel their performance. They use tools like:
Pre-game routines that put them in a confident, focused state.
Visualization to see themselves executing at a high level. (Many of the same areas of the brain light up in a FMRI when experiencing a vivid visualization and the actual event. I did find it fascinating that there is new research from the University College London that a region in the brains temporal lobe called the Fusiform Gyrus does play a crucial role in this process. It might help them to understand more about mental health conditions such as schizophrenia}
Self-talk to control their internal dialogue and block out doubt.
For athletes looking to build this skill, the key is to be intentional about how you think. Your brain will naturally focus on stress if you don’t train it otherwise.
 
How to apply this:
Before practice or games, take time to focus on what excites you about competing.
Use short, powerful self-talk phrases to keep your mindset locked in.
Shift your focus from what could go wrong to what you’re capable of doing right now.
The mind is a powerful tool. Control it, and you control your performance.
Visualization techniques significantly enhance athletic performance by 
improving focus, building confidence, and refining skills through mental
 rehearsal.
Benefits of Visualization for Athletes
Mental Rehearsal: Visualization allows athletes to mentally practice their movements and strategies before actual performance. By vividly imagining themselves executing specific actions with precision, athletes reinforce neural connections and enhance muscle memory, which can lead to improved physical performance. 
 
Improved Focus: Engaging in visualization helps athletes develop a heightened sense of concentration. By picturing themselves successfully performing complex movements or strategies, they train their minds to stay present and block out distractions, which can enhance decision-making and reaction times during competitions. 
 
Building Confidence: Visualization plays a crucial role in boosting athletes' confidence. By repeatedly visualizing successful outcomes, such as overcoming challenges or achieving personal bests, athletes cultivate a positive mindset and belief in their abilities. This mental confidence can reduce anxiety and increase resilience in high-pressure situations. 
 
Enhanced Performance: Research indicates that visualization activates the same neural pathways in the brain as actual physical execution. This means that when athletes visualize their performance, they are effectively training their brains and bodies to work in sync, leading to improved coordination and execution during real events. 
 
Stress Management: Visualization techniques can also help athletes manage stress and anxiety. By imagining themselves in calm and successful scenarios, they can create a mental buffer against the pressures of competition, allowing them to perform at their best. 
 
PERMA Checklist/Journaling for Parents & Teen Athletes
a PERMA checklist is such a powerful tool for families because it gives both parents and teen athletes a shared language for well‑being, confidence, and performance. If you would like for me to send you my free PERMA Checklist for Parents and Teen Athletes, drop me a message on IG or FB with the word Free PERMA Checklist and I’ll send you a copy. We will go over each pillar’s checklist in each episode and it will also be included in my show notes.
 
P — Positive Emotion Check List
For Teen Athletes
Did I notice at least one thing that went well today?
Did I celebrate effort, not just outcomes?
Did I reframe a mistake as something I can learn from?
Did I do something that genuinely made me feel good?
For Parents
Did I acknowledge my teen’s effort before asking about results?
Did I model calm, positive energy during stressful moments?
Did I help my teen recognize what went right today?
Did I avoid comparing them to other athletes?
 
Positive emotions Car Convo Talking Points:
What moments brought you joy or gratitude today?
How did those moments align with your passions or talents?
What was one positive moment today?

Living a Life of Happiness and Meaning - Jessie Brodmerkel

In this episode I speak about the positive phycology practice called PERMA and how you can use this to craft a life of happiness ad meaning in sports, careers and every aspect of living. 
Parent and Teen Athlete PERMA
PERMA is a positive psychology practice developed by Martin Seligman. It provides a structured approach to well-being through five distinct elements: Positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishments. When combined with Ikigai, it helps offer a powerful methodology to find alignment between internal passions and external contributions, promoting a balanced, powerful a fulfilling life. PERMA helps bridge the gap between goal setting and action plans and deeper emotional psychological and existential questions that some face. It can help:
Discover your passions and align with societal needs.
Cultivate meaningful relationships
Achieve balance between ambition and satisfaction
Enhance emotional resilience- handle life’s challenges
Foster continuous improvement
P- Positive emotions – the foundation of well-being, this includes joy, gratitude, serenity, hope and inspiration. This element focuses on increasing the frequency of positive emotions in daily life which leads to greater overall happiness.
E- Engagement – This refers to being fully absorbed in activities where experiences flow.  Remember, flow is the state where time seems to stand still, one is completely immersed in what one is doing. This aspect of PERMA emphasizes that being engaged in meaningful activities leads to fulfillment.
R- Relationships – Positive relationships are essential to well-being, and meaningful, supportive relationships provide the love, care and sense of belonging that are integrated to a happy life.
M – Meaning – This is about feeling connected to something larger than oneself. Whether it’s contributing to the community, connecting with spiritual or religious beliefs or perusing work that impacts society positively, meaning provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
A -Accomplishment – The desire to achieve, accomplishment is a natural human drive. Setting goals, experiencing success, and getting recognition all contribute to one’s sense of competence and self-worth.
Linktree
Journey of a Volleyball Mom Book

From Hurt to Hope Part 2 - Nanci Cosby

Nanci Cosby is a devoted mom to three girls and one boy, and a proud “Nonni” to her grandbabies. She loves God, cherishes her family and friends, and never turns down a good cup of coffee.
Nanci is the founder of NJ Consulting, LLC, where she brings together her passion for people and her extensive professional experience. She became a certified life coach through the World Coach Institute in 2019 and earned her Master of Education with a focus in Talent Development in 2021.
In 2012, Nanci published her autobiography, High on Hope, which shares her journey as a preacher’s kid who lost her way in the world of addiction and ultimately found her path back through hope and healing. By telling her story with honesty and courage, she inspires others to transform their hurt into hope.
With more than 12 years in the mental health field and 20 years in the addiction field, Nanci blends education, expertise, and lived experience to help individuals discover their path to success.
Through NJ Consulting, LLC, she offers:
Life coaching for individuals
Wellness training for corporate and business organizations
Consulting services for individuals and families
Nanci’s mission is simple and powerful: to guide people toward clarity, confidence, and meaningful growth.
NJ Consulting, LLC
Facebook
Nanci's Instagram
High on Hope Book
 

From Hurt to Hope Part 1 - Nanci Cosby

Nanci Cosby is a devoted mom to three girls and one boy, and a proud “Nonni” to her grandbabies. She loves God, cherishes her family and friends, and never turns down a good cup of coffee.
Nanci is the founder of NJ Consulting, LLC, where she brings together her passion for people and her extensive professional experience. She became a certified life coach through the World Coach Institute in 2019 and earned her Master of Education with a focus in Talent Development in 2021.
In 2012, Nanci published her autobiography, High on Hope, which shares her journey as a preacher’s kid who lost her way in the world of addiction and ultimately found her path back through hope and healing. By telling her story with honesty and courage, she inspires others to transform their hurt into hope.
With more than 12 years in the mental health field and 20 years in the addiction field, Nanci blends education, expertise, and lived experience to help individuals discover their path to success.
Through NJ Consulting, LLC, she offers:
Life coaching for individuals
Wellness training for corporate and business organizations
Consulting services for individuals and families
Nanci’s mission is simple and powerful: to guide people toward clarity, confidence, and meaningful growth.
NJ Consulting, LLC
Facebook
Nanci's Instagram
High on Hope Book
 

Paul Gamble PhD - Parents are the Key

Today’s guest is someone whose career has stretched across three decades, three continents, and just about every corner of elite and professional sport. Dr. Paul Gamble has worked with athletes of all ages and backgrounds, but his deepest passion lies in helping young athletes unlock their potential and supporting the next generation of sport stars in a healthy, sustainable way.
Paul is the author of Sports Parenting—first released in 2022 and now arriving in a newly revised edition in January 2026—where he brings parents into the conversation around youth development and long‑term athlete wellbeing. Originally from the UK, Paul’s journey has taken him through New Zealand and now to Canada, where he lives with his wife Sian and his son Leo.
In addition to running his independent coaching initiative launched in 2019, Paul consults with organizations around the world and provides continuing education for coaches and practitioners across disciplines. He also shares thoughtful, research‑driven insights on youth sport and talent development through his Athlete Generation Substack.
I’m thrilled to have him here today to dig into what really shapes young athletes, how families can support the journey, and what the future of youth sport could—and should—look like.
Sports Parenting Book
Instagram
Books/Amazon
Linktree
Athlete Generation substack
Informed Practitioner in Sport website 
Prepared Athlete Training & Health

Not Just a Hike with Audrey Costa/Deep Rooted Wellness

In this episode I have a convo with Audrey Costa — a dedicated wellness professional whose work bridges health, experiential learning, and trauma-informed care. Audrey holds a B.Sc. in Physical Education and Health, a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and is a Licensed Associate Counselor in New Jersey. With extensive experience supporting adolescents and adults through addiction, recovery, trauma, grief, and emotional dysregulation, she’s guided individuals across every level of care, from residential treatment to outpatient settings.
Before stepping into clinical practice, Audrey spent over 14 years in public education and later served as a Regional Wellness Manager in corporate wellness. She’s also certified and trained in personal training, health coaching, yoga, mindfulness, nutrition, and nature-informed therapy. As a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and Licensed Hiking & Camping Guide, Audrey blends therapeutic skill with somatic, movement-based, and nature-centered approaches to healing.
As the founder of Deep Rooted Wellness & Creatives, Audrey integrates her 20 years of outdoor education into powerful experiential offerings. She leads monthly nature therapy hikes and Wild Resilience Backpacking Retreats for women—small, intentional groups designed to foster healing, resilience, and connection. Through holistic mind-body-spirit coaching, she creates transformative spaces where individuals can regulate their nervous systems, build inner strength, and reconnect with their authentic selves through the healing power of nature.
🌿 Audrey Costa, M.A., LAC, NCCCertified Nature-Informed TherapistNY Licensed Hiking & Camping Guide #9759Founder, Deep Rooted Wellness & CreativesGuiding women to heal, grow, and reconnect through nature.Learn more at www.deeprootedwellnessnj.com
Instagram
Audrey's recommended Podcasts:
Stories from the Field with Will White-it's everything OUTDOORS Mental Health Related, Audrey was a guest back in April.
NEW one -The Nature of Mental Health!  A colleague- William Henry is starting on December 21st.
National Park Aft Dark and Tooth and Claw- outdoors gone wild ..lol
Huberman Lab, The Drive, Dr Hyman- Cutting edge research for mind and body
For women by women- MyInner Struggle, Inner Truth Healing Podcast
Books:
The Places that Scare you, Pema Chodron
Don Miguel Ruiz (Indigenous and Shamanic Culture- The Medicine Bag, The Four Agreements, etc.)
Yung Pueblo- Lighter “If the hurt is deep, you will have to let it go MANY times”