Episode Details

What is your child saying to themselves when they make a mistake?

“I’m terrible at this.”

“I’ll never get it.”

“Maybe I’m just not talented enough.”

Those statements may sound harmless in the moment—but repeated negative self-talk can begin shaping what a child believes about themselves.

In Episode 162 of High Performance Parenting, Greg Francis continues his Champion Mindset conversation with his daughter Crissy as they explore the connection between self-talk, mental toughness, preparation, discipline, and performance.

Crissy openly shares that she can be her own worst critic and has had to intentionally change the way she speaks to herself on the tennis court and in everyday life.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why champions aren't simply born with stronger minds
• How mental toughness can be intentionally developed
• Why negative self-talk affects performance
• How children unintentionally reinforce limiting beliefs
• What athletes can say after mistakes instead of attacking themselves
• Why discipline now prevents regret later
• How physical preparation and mental preparation work together
• Why children need to focus on what they can control
• How to help kids stop comparing their circumstances to others
• Why becoming champion-minded requires changing daily habits

Crissy explains that instead of reacting to a mistake with frustration, she's learning to respond with thoughts such as “It wasn't my best, but it was closer.” That seemingly small shift helps her remain in a productive mental state rather than spiraling into criticism.

Greg also shares an important warning:

Your subconscious starts believing what you repeatedly tell it.

That's why helping kids develop healthy, truthful, productive self-talk is about much more than sports.

It's preparing them for life.

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#HighPerformanceParenting #ChampionMindset #ChristianParenting #MentalToughness #ParentingAthletes

• (00:00) - Your Subconscious Believes Your Words
• (00:41) - Intro
• (01:22) - Special Guest & Family Update
• (02:01) - Visiting the Sequoias
• (03:25) - Tennis Tournament Update
• (05:42) - Champions Build Different Habits
• (06:07) - Training a Champion Mindset
• (07:08) - The Pain of Discipline vs. Regret
• (08:49) - Retooling Your Skills
• (09:29) - Changing Negative Self-Talk
• (10:42) - The Inner Game of Performance
• (12:12) - When Thinking Too Much Hurts Performance
• (13:09) - How Negative Words Program Your Mind
• (14:22) - You Speak Your Reality
• (15:10) - Stop Comparing Your Circumstances
• (15:32) - Turn Weakness Into an Advantage
• (16:15) - Habits That Create Champions