In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast, I sit down with 17 year old gymnastics entrepreneur Riley Lee to talk about creating change in gymnastics, building a better training environment, taking big risks, and believing that happy, healthy, high performing gymnastics is possible.

Riley shares how growing up training in Hong Kong and Singapore opened her eyes to the differences in equipment, coaching, athlete safety, and opportunities around the world. As she and her friends began feeling unsupported and afraid to make mistakes, Riley started wondering what could be done differently.

What started as a joke about opening a gym became a real business plan. Riley researched the industry, studied financials, sought out experienced mentors, traveled to observe gyms, and eventually built a vision for a gym centered around safety, quality coaching, and athlete well being.

We also talk about why having a clear vision matters, how growth often requires stepping outside your comfort zone, and why athletes should not have to choose between high performance and happiness. Riley explains how her passion pushed her beyond her comfort zone and helped her build something she truly believed was possible.

In this episode you will hear:

• Why athlete safety must include emotional safety
• How a clear vision can turn an idea into action
• Why growth requires getting uncomfortable
• How great coaching can support both performance and well being
• Why athletes deserve to enjoy the journey
• How one teenager is challenging the way gymnastics can be done

This conversation is a powerful reminder that we do not have to accept that gymnastics has always been done a certain way. Sometimes the biggest changes begin with one person willing to imagine something better and then figure out how to make it happen.

Learn exactly what to say and do to guide your athlete through a mental block with my new book "Parenting Through Mental Blocks" Order your copy today: https://a.co/d/g990Bur

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complete_performance/

Join my FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/completeperformancecoaching/

Check out my website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

Write to me! Email: rebecca@completeperformancecoaching.com

Ready to help your athlete overcome fears and mental blocks while gaining unstoppable confidence? Discover the transformative power of PerformHappy now. If your athlete is struggling or feeling left behind, it's time for a change. Are you ready? For more info and to sign up: PerformHappy.com

In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast, I sit down with Kat Zempolich, Vice President and Co-Founder of Morgan’s Message, to talk about the mental health struggles that can exist behind the strong, successful athlete.

Kat shares her journey as a collegiate lacrosse player at Duke, the impact of injuries on mental health, and how her friendship with Morgan led to the creation of Morgan’s Message. After Morgan’s death by suicide, Kat began asking what could have been different and how athletes could be given more opportunities to recognize their struggles and ask for help.

We talk about why mental health can be difficult to recognize in athletes, especially when someone appears happy, successful, and high-achieving. Kat shares why building strong relationships and checking in regularly can matter more than trying to identify one obvious warning sign.

We also discuss the gap between physical and mental health support in sports, the stigma around mental health, and why athletes, coaches, parents, and teammates need more education and open conversations around mental wellbeing.

In this episode you will hear:

• Why strong athletes can still struggle mentally
• How injuries can affect an athlete’s mental health
• Why listening can be more helpful than giving advice
• How to build stronger connections with young athletes
• Why asking for help sooner can make a difference
• How Morgan’s Message is creating peer-to-peer mental health conversations

This conversation is an important reminder that you never truly know what someone is carrying beneath the surface. Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is simply show up, listen, and make it easier for athletes to say, “I need help.” Kat also shares a powerful message for anyone who is struggling: you are not alone, and talking about what you’re going through can help.

Learn exactly what to say and do to guide your athlete through a mental block with my new book "Parenting Through Mental Blocks" Order your copy today: https://a.co/d/g990Bur

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complete_performance/

Join my FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/completeperformancecoaching/

Check out my website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

Write to me! Email: rebecca@completeperformancecoaching.com

Ready to help your athlete overcome fears and mental blocks while gaining unstoppable confidence? Discover the transformative power of PerformHappy now. If your athlete is struggling or feeling left behind, it's time for a change. Are you ready? For more info and to sign up: PerformHappy.com

In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast, I sit down with Illinois head gymnastics coach Josh Nilson to talk about building champions without breaking them, creating healthy team cultures, and helping young athletes perform at a high level while still loving their sport. Josh shares lessons from his coaching career and explains why being a successful coach is about so much more than winning.

Josh opens up about the importance of putting humans first, why an athlete’s value has nothing to do with gymnastics, and how coaches can challenge athletes without pushing them to a breaking point. We also talk about mental blocks, building confidence, communication, handling pressure, and why going back to the basics can help athletes overcome challenges.

For parents, Josh shares an important reminder about supporting a young gymnast’s dreams without pushing so hard that they forget why they love the sport. We also talk about the character traits that matter beyond talent, including determination, communication, work ethic, and being a good teammate.

In this episode you will hear

• Why an athlete’s worth is bigger than their gymnastics
• How to build high-performing athletes in a healthy environment
• Why parents should protect their child’s love for the sport
• The importance of communication and self-advocacy
• How coaches can challenge athletes without breaking them
• Why character and work ethic can matter more than talent
• How to help gymnasts handle pressure and nervous-system responses

This conversation is a powerful reminder that the goal isn't just to build great gymnasts. It's to help young athletes become confident, resilient people who can love the sport while they pursue big goals.

Learn exactly what to say and do to guide your athlete through a mental block with my new book "Parenting Through Mental Blocks" Order your copy today: https://a.co/d/g990Bur

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complete_performance/

Join my FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/completeperformancecoaching/

Check out my website: https://completeperformancecoaching.com/

Write to me! Email: rebecca@completeperformancecoaching.com

Ready to help your athlete overcome fears and mental blocks while gaining unstoppable confidence? Discover the transformative power of PerformHappy now. If your athlete is struggling or feeling left behind, it's time for a change. Are you ready? For more info and to sign up: PerformHappy.com