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One of the most important decisions a sports parent will ever make has very little to do with talent. It's choosing the right coach. Many parents naturally assume the best coach is the one with the most championships, the most college commitments, or the loudest reputation. But after working with athletes from youth sports to the professional level, I've learned something different. Great coaches don't simply develop better athletes. They develop better people. The right coach can build confidence that lasts a lifetime.

One of the most common questions I receive from parents is, "How much should my child be training?"

One of the biggest misconceptions in sports is the belief that successful athletes are always motivated. In reality, even the most accomplished athletes experience days when they do not feel like training, competing, or putting in the work necessary to improve. The difference is not that they have more motivation. The difference is that they have developed discipline.

Every parent wants their child to be confident. They cheer from the sidelines, invest countless hours driving to practices and tournaments, and provide support in ways that often go unnoticed. Yet despite their best intentions, some common parent behaviors can unintentionally damage an athlete's confidence over time.

One of the greatest challenges we see at SPMI is emotional control, particularly anger. Parents often reach out to us because their young athlete's emotions are interfering with their ability to perform at their full potential. Over the years, we have helped thousands of athletes improve and, in many cases, master their emotional control both in sport and in life. Yet anger remains one of the most common and visible struggles athletes face.

At SPMI, we’re fortunate to work with some of the best coaches in the country and around the world. Leaders who not only guide athletes to the highest levels of performance, but who also prioritize the coach-athlete relationship by building trust, respect, and personal growth. However, beyond this ever-growing network, a recurring concern continues to surface from parents and athletes seeking our support.

At SPMI (Sport Psychology Movement Institute), we work with athletes to help them master the mental game and one of the most common challenges across all sports and levels is intrusive thoughts.

At SPMI we work with some of the best professional and junior athletes in the world as well as many more talented athletes who also are aspiring for greatness. And one of the most common questions that are asked are about what truly distinguishes professional athletes from amateur ones. When people talk about the difference between professional athletes and amateurs, the conversation usually starts with talent, speed, strength, or skill. While those factors matter, they are rarely what separates athletes at the highest levels.