Making Kindness a Contact Sport w/ Rob Thorsen, Founder of #HT40 & The Shoulder Check Initiative

11/12/24 • 29 min

In this episode, we welcome Rob, the driving force behind the Shoulder Check initiative, which aims to foster mental wellness in youth sports. Rob shares insights on the importance of creating safe spaces for athletes to express their feelings and how parents can effectively support their children in managing the pressures of competition.

Key Takeaways:

Creating Safe Spaces: Learn how parents can establish an environment where young athletes feel comfortable sharing their emotions.
Identifying Distress: Rob discusses the signs parents should look for to identify when their child may be struggling emotionally, even if they don't outwardly express it.
Encouraging Open Conversations: Discover practical tips for initiating conversations about feelings during everyday moments, such as car rides or family dinners.
Essential Resources: Rob outlines crucial resources available for parents in times of crisis, emphasizing the importance of knowing when to seek professional help.
Building Resilience: Understand how to foster emotional resilience in young athletes by allowing them to express disappointment and frustrations in a healthy way.
Future of Shoulder Check: Rob shares exciting developments and goals for the Shoulder Check initiative, aiming to integrate its message into sports culture.

Episode Highlights:

[00:01:10] Rob joins the podcast to share his passion for fostering mental wellness in youth sports through his initiative, Shoulder Check.
[00:02:30] He discusses the importance of creating safe spaces for athletes to express their feelings and the role parents play in this process.
[00:04:50] Recognising the signs of distress: Rob emphasizes how parents can better identify when their children may be struggling emotionally.
[00:07:00] Practical strategies for encouraging open conversations during everyday moments, like car rides or casual chats.
[00:10:05] Rob highlights essential resources for parents to access in times of crisis, ensuring they know when to seek professional help.
[00:12:20] The significance of building resilience in young athletes through emotional expression and coping strategies.
[00:15:35] Rob shares exciting developments for the Shoulder Check initiative, including plans to promote its visibility in sports culture
Next Steps:

Join our FREE Training for Sports Moms - How to Strengthen Your Athlete Daughter's Mental Game so She Believes in Herself as Much as You Do
Visit our podcast website for more great episodes

Thank you in advance for joining us on our mission and leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

Grab your exclusive Elite Mental Game discount for being a podcast listener here!

Key Takeaways:

Creating Safe Spaces: Learn how parents can establish an environment where young athletes feel comfortable sharing their emotions.
Identifying Distress: Rob discusses the signs parents should look for to identify when their child may be struggling emotionally, even if they don't outwardly express it.
Encouraging Open Conversations: Discover practical tips for initiating conversations about feelings during everyday moments, such as car rides or family dinners.
Essential Resources: Rob outlines crucial resources available for parents in times of crisis, emphasizing the importance of knowing when to seek professional help.
Building Resilience: Understand how to foster emotional resilience in young athletes by allowing them to express disappointment and frustrations in a healthy way.
Future of Shoulder Check: Rob shares exciting developments and goals for the Shoulder Check initiative, aiming to integrate its message into sports culture.

Episode Highlights:

Join our FREE Training for Sports Moms - How to Strengthen Your Athlete Daughter's Mental Game so She Believes in Herself as Much as You Do
Visit our podcast website for more great episodes

Thank you in advance for joining us on our mission and leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

Grab your exclusive Elite Mental Game discount for being a podcast listener here!

Previous Episode

3 Ways to Build Your Athlete's Confidence After a Bad Game So She Can Stop the Negative Spiral

In this episode, Coach Bree shares powerful strategies to help parents support their daughters after a tough performance. Learn how to turn post-game negativity into an opportunity for growth and connection.
What You’ll Learn:

Why the post-game car ride is more important than you think
How to create a positive post-game routine
Why focusing on effort and mindset reduces performance anxiety
The L.O.V.E. framework for better post-game conversations

Episode Highlights:
[00:02:35] Understanding what your athlete really needs after a tough game—why emotional support matters more than advice.
[00:04:40] The power of a consistent post-game routine to stop the negative spiral and build emotional resilience.
[00:06:15] Avoiding common post-game mistakes—how focusing on wins and losses can harm confidence.
[00:08:30] Shifting your athlete’s mindset to focus on what she can control, like effort and attitude, rather than the outcome.
[00:10:15] A deep dive into the LOVE framework—practical steps to guide post-game conversations with empathy and encouragement.
[00:13:45] Helping your athlete bounce back from setbacks and learn to separate self-worth from performance outcomes.

Next Steps:

Join our FREE Training for Sports Moms - How to Strengthen Your Athlete Daughter's Mental Game so She Believes in Herself as Much as You Do
Visit our podcast website for more great episodes

Thank you in advance for joining us on our mission and leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

Next Episode

Athlete Tip: Playing to Win vs Playing Not to Lose

Are you holding back without even realizing it? Whether you’re playing from fear or stepping onto the field with confidence could be the difference between a game-changing performance and playing it safe. In this episode, we’re breaking down how to shift your mindset from just trying not to lose to playing full out – and why it matters!

Here’s what we cover:

The hidden dangers of “playing it safe” and why it actually leads to more mistakes
How playing not to lose holds back your potential (and even your team!)
Why taking calculated risks will make you a stronger, more confident athlete
Practical tips to bounce back from mistakes so they don’t mess with your head
Permission to stop hesitating and start showing up as your best self!

Athletes, don’t miss this! This mindset shift could change how you approach your next game. Ready to unlock your full potential? Listen to the full episode now!
Episode Highlights:

[00:00] Playing to Win vs. Playing Not to Lose: Introduction and Shoutout to Madison
[02:13] Understanding the Mindset of Playing Not to Lose
[04:43] The Impact of Playing Not to Lose on Performance
[05:22] The Benefits of Playing to Win
[08:17] Embracing the Mindset of Playing to Win
Next Steps:

Join our FREE Training for Sports Moms - How to Strengthen Your Athlete Daughter's Mental Game so She Believes in Herself as Much as You Do
Visit our podcast website for more great episodes

Thank you in advance for joining us on our mission and leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

Raising Elite Competitors - Making Kindness a Contact Sport w/ Rob Thorsen, Founder of #HT40 & The Shoulder Check Initiative

Transcript

Speaker 100:00:00.101

Welcome back to the Raising Elite Competitors podcast . I'm Coach Brie , a mental performance coach for girl athletes , and I'm so excited that you are here for today's special episode with Rob Thorson . Now , if you are just getting going on the sports journey with your daughter , or maybe you have a lot of seasons under your belt , either way , this podcast and this episode is