Building Resilience in Young Athletes: A Parent's Playbook With Demi Agaiby

The Coping Podcast

Demi Agaiby is the Founding Director and Mental Performance Consultant at Beyond Horizons Performance, a mental performance consultancy for performers and athletes. With over 20 years of commercial and concert dance training and a master’s degree in sport and exercise psychology, Demi has worked with hundreds of performers to master their mindset and mental skills. She has presented at the National Dance Education Organization, the National Dance Coaches Association, the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, and more.

In this episode…

Helping young athletes navigate the highs and lows of competitive sports can be a daunting task for parents. How can they support their children through setbacks like injuries, burnout, and performance pressures, all while fostering resilience and joy?

According to Demi Agaiby, a mental performance consultant and sports psychology expert, focusing on the process rather than the outcome is crucial for boosting performance during setbacks. She highlights the importance of praising effort, maintaining open communication, and building multidimensional identities that allow young athletes to thrive in and out of their sport. By helping children connect to their “why,” parents can guide them back to their intrinsic motivations during challenging times. Demi also emphasizes creating opportunities for exploration and cultivating transferable skills, such as leadership and teamwork, which carry over into every aspect of life.

In this episode of The Coping Podcast, Dr. Leigh Weisz is joined by Demi Agaiby, Founding Director and Mental Performance Consultant at Beyond Horizons Performance, to discuss how parents can build resilience in their young athletes. They explore strategies for managing burnout, balancing identity with sports, and viewing setbacks as growth opportunities. Demi also gives practical advice for creating a support system and fostering emotional intelligence in children.