About the Guest:

Dr. Jay-Lee Nair is an esteemed Australian sports psychologist with deep expertise in performance anxiety among young athletes. Residing in Singapore since 2012, she specializes in strategies to help high achievers and perfectionists thrive in competitive sports. Her impactful work in psychology and sports spans from her educational pursuits in the United States, where she earned Academic All American Honors while playing collegiate golf. Dr. Nair's passion is further evidenced by her book "Good Sport," reflecting her commitment to leveraging her experiences and insights for the betterment of young athletes globally.

Key Takeaways:

• Parental Role in Sports: The importance of parents acting as collaborators rather than directors in their children's athletic development, providing support through attentional silence and non-verbal encouragement.
• Handling Performance Anxiety: Young athletes should focus on controllable elements within their performance to mitigate anxiety linked to results-focused thinking.
• Effective Post-Game Debriefing: Introducing the "Good Better How" methodology helps to ensure debriefs are constructive and focused on strengths and areas for improvement.
• Gender-Specific Insights: The role of relationships and community in keeping girls engaged in sports through their teenage years.
• Promoting the Green Zone: Fostering a culture where athletes are encouraged to react positively to mistakes can help them develop resilience and maintain strong performances.

Notable Quotes:

• "Help young athletes connect with their strengths and that just takes conversations, questions, helping them build their independent awareness."
• "Pointing out their mistakes just exacerbates their dilemmas when it comes to competition."
• "When athletes get to a certain age, the focus on improvement shifts to scrutiny of mistakes and technical perfection."
• "Mistakes are statistics. If we prioritize reactions to mistakes, they develop resilience in their games."
• "My hope is that all young athletes embrace and learn their strengths and start to transfer that to every other part of their life."

Resources:

• Dr. Jay-Lee Nair's book: Good Sport
• Follow Dr. Jay-Lee on Instagram

Click here to contact Collett or ask her a question or Click here to contact the Raising Teens team.

Collett is a psychologist, qualified teacher, speaker, and internationally published author, with 25 years' experience working in private and public schools, as well as in private practice.

Visit Raising Teens for more resources, click here for Collett's books, or join the discussion on Facebook.

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Support the show: https://hope1032.com.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For more episodes of "Undistracted with Laura Bennett" subscribe here on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Join host Laura Bennett as she delves into parenting with psychologist, teacher, and author Colett Smart. Explore strategies for managing school-related stress, fostering children's identity beyond academics and activities, and maintaining healthy family dynamics. Colette shares insights into balancing extracurricular commitments, approaching other parents' expectations, and the impact of adult stress on children. Discover how to raise teens with intention and purpose, emphasizing the importance of staying present and engaged.

Key Takeaways:

• Navigating Change: Colette discusses how any form of change, even positive, induces stress and suggests approaching a new school year with a mindset that embraces both excitement and challenges.

• Emotional Load: She highlights the emotional burden parents and children carry during transitions, advocating for early intervention and support if stress becomes overwhelming.

• Balancing Activities: Encourages parents to support their children's passions but maintain a healthy balance to ensure time for social interactions and relaxation.

• Parental Influence: Stresses the importance of modeling positive responses to stress and maintaining open communication to alleviate children's anxieties.

• Social Engagements: Advocates for clear communication among parents to manage expectations regarding children's social activities, making these experiences enjoyable without overwhelming commitments.

Notable Quotes:

• "All change can cause some form of stress, but it also brings exciting opportunities for growth." – Colett Smart

• "You need to be the voice for your children and get them support early on." – Colett Smart

• "Try to expand and make sure that they have other avenues where they reach out to others." – Colett Smart

• "Someone needs to be brave enough to start the discussion... most parents are relieved." – Colett Smart

• "We need to give our children hope and talk about what they can bring to the world." – Colett Smart

Resources:

• Colett Smart’s book: "They’ll Be Okay: 15 Conversations to Help Your Child Through Troubled Times"

• Listen to Undistracted with Laura Bennett here on Apple Podcasts

Support the show: https://hope1032.com.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Key Takeaways:

• Embrace the busy and often unpredictable nature of the festive season with a mindset of self-compassion and adaptability.

• Family traditions may evolve over time, and it’s okay for things to look different year to year.

• Practicing mindfulness and taking time for personal reflection can be crucial for mental health during busy times.

• Asking for help and setting boundaries can mitigate overwhelming feelings during the holiday season.

• Finding joy amidst change and nostalgia is essential, even when family members are geographically apart.

Notable Quotes:

• "The Christmas period is actually quite different this year for me to what I've experienced before." – Colett Smart

• "Too late for whom? Whose rules are those?" – Colett Smart

• "It's okay that I'm missing my other children... I'm giving myself permission to feel nostalgic." – Colett Smart

Resources:

• Listen to the episode "When it’s Not the Most Wonderful Time of Year" for coping strategies during difficult holidays.

• Explore insights on self-compassion with Dr. Veya Seekis' episode here

Click here to contact Collett or ask her a question or Click here to contact the Raising Teens team.

Collett is a psychologist, qualified teacher, speaker, and internationally published author, with 25 years' experience working in private and public schools, as well as in private practice.

Visit Raising Teens for more resources, click here for Collett's books, or join the discussion on Facebook.

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Support the show: https://hope1032.com.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.