Mental blocks aren't simply a matter of needing more practice. When a gymnast physically knows how to perform a skill but her brain is blocking her, there is usually a reason behind the fear.

Stacie and Ali explain how internal self-talk, external pressure, and physical fear can all contribute to a mental block. They also walk through how gymnasts can understand their brain, regulate fear, develop safety within themselves, and build the belief that they can handle difficult situations.

The episode includes a real-time coaching demonstration of a beam back handspring and explains why mental blocks often require mindset work, not simply more repetitions.

00:00 Mental blocks as competition season approaches
01:16 Why SOS mental block requests increase this time of year
02:00 Competing is a separate skill from performing skills
03:00 What exactly is a mental block?
04:57 Internal sources of fear
06:37 External pressure and expectations
07:30 Physical fear and fear of fear
08:54 Understanding and normalizing the brain
09:49 Why judging fear can make it worse
10:00 Regulating the fear response
12:10 Learning safety beyond the coach or equipment
13:48 Finding safety within your own control
14:08 Building resilience and self-confidence
16:11 Live coaching example: back handspring on beam
16:57 Finding the "what if" behind the block
17:45 Challenging the brain's worst-case scenario
19:52 What to do in the moment
20:54 Breathing, visualization, and safety self-talk
21:35 What parents can learn from the coaching example
23:42 Rewiring the subconscious brain
26:00 Why this is an important time to address mental blocks
27:47 Results from the Mental Block Rewire experience
28:23 Why GMA created the Mental Block Bootcamp
29:23 The power of community and knowing you're not alone

🏅 Want to help your gymnast overcome her mental block?
Join the next Mental Block Rewire / Master Mental Blocks Bootcamp and learn the tools GMA uses to help gymnasts understand, regulate, and rewire their fear response.

💻 Parent Training: Learn more about the upcoming training and enrollment.

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