Grow Where You're Planted

In this episode, I share how athletes can grow—regardless of whether they’re the most or least experienced player on the field. Summer brings unique opportunities: pickup games, camps, and guest sessions that mix skill levels. How you approach these moments determines how much you grow.

Drawing on sports psychology and learning theory, I explore strategies for athletes, coaches, and parents to turn any training environment into a space for development.

Transcript

Speaker: 0:01

I'm Dr. Nassim Ebrahimi, and welcome to Becoming My Stronger Me, a podcast designed to help you become stronger in mind, body, and heart. In season two, the mental performance series, we'll explore the intricate relationship between mental performance, sports excellence, leadership, and personal growth to help you become your stronger you. Today we're diving into something every athlete and honestly every coach and parent needs to think about, especially in the offseason. How to make the most of the environment you're in. You know how summer creates all kinds of unique training opportunities. Maybe it's pickup games at the park, maybe it's a summer camp with players from all over, maybe your regular team's off and you're hopping in with another group. These situations are full of chances to grow, but only if you know how to approach them. Sometimes you're gonna be the best player in the group. You've got the skills, the speed, the game awareness. And it's tempting to go through the motions, but this is actually your chance to level up as a leader. How do you talk to your teammates? Are you encouraging? Do you raise the standard for everyone else? Research shows that athletes who embrace leadership roles build more confidence, better communication skills, and a stronger sense of ownership. So use these moments to practice being a thermostat, not a thermometer. Set the tone, model the focus and the energy that you want to see. Even if the pace is slower, your growth doesn't have to be. Other times you'll walk into a gym, a field, or a court where everyone seems ahead of you. And that's not a bad thing. But it can feel uncomfortable. But this is where the real development lives. There's a concept in educational psychology called the zone of proximal development. It's that sweet spot where tasks are just beyond your current ability, but you can reach them with the support or by observing others. So instead of shrinking or getting frustrated, lean in, ask questions, watch the habits of those around you. Stretch yourself. You don't need to dominate, you need to absorb, adjust, and grow. That quiet humility, that mindset of I'm here to get better. That's gold. For coaches out there, these mixed environments are an opportunity to teach culture. Be intentional about mixing experience levels. Pair your more seasoned athletes with younger ones and drills where they have to guide or support. Frame the work around effort and encouragement and engagement, not just around the outcomes. Celebrate the athletes who adapt and uplift others, not just the ones who score. This builds a team identity rooted in growth and not ego. Now, parents, listen up, because this is for you. Summer can bring some unpredictable training setups. Maybe your child ends up on a team where they're not the star, or maybe they're the oldest kid at camp and feel like they aren't being pushed. Here's how you can help. Avoid rescuing them. Don't immediately pull them from environments that feel too easy or feel too hard. Instead, ask questions like, what role can you practice this week? Or what's something you can learn from this group? Praise the process. Whether you're leading or learning, highlight their mindset, their effort, and how they show up. That's what builds long-term confidence. And lastly, model adaptability. Your attitude as a parent matters. If you approach a new environment with curiosity instead of criticism, they will follow your lead. Remember, your athlete is watching how you respond to discomfort and challenge. Be calm. Be the encouragement. Be the reminder that growth isn't always comfortable, but it's always worth it. And of course, this isn't just for athletes. Think about your own life. Are you the newest person in your job? Are you a parent learning to coach? Are you trying something you've never done before? In all of these environments, you get to choose. Am I here to coast or am I here to grow? The mindset is the same. Stay open, stay coachable, and keep showing up. So as you step into this season, whether you're leading, learning, coaching, or parenting, ask yourself: how can I bring my best to this moment no matter who's around me? That's where growth lives. So grow where you're planted. Until next time, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast, join our Facebook group, send in your stories and feedback. And if you're looking for a mental performance coach or want more information, go to www.becoming mystrongerme.com. I can't wait to hear from you.