Janet McCormick

As parents, we spend so much time hoping our kids succeed that we sometimes forget what we signed them up for in the first place. This summer, I found myself standing on the sideline as both a coach and a mom, watching my seven-year-old face a moment that could have ended differently. What happened next reminded me that youth sports aren't just about making the shot. Sometimes the real lesson is learning how to miss it.

The way you talk about a game matters more than you think. There’s a big difference between “we’re going to lose” and “this is going to be hard.” One shuts things down. The other leaves room. This is a story about perspective, language, and why what you believe before the game even starts can shape how you show up when it matters most.

For the first time in 19 years, I won’t be standing on the coaches’ sideline during high school season. A year ago, the thought of that would have made me cry. And while I miss my team deeply, I trust they’re in good hands. Now I get to support them from the other side of the field — the same way I’m able to support so many more athletes from this side. Part of the reason I wanted to become a full-time mental performance coach was because I wanted to impact more players. What I didn’t know...