Performhappy With Rebecca Smith

There is something really confusing about watching an athlete look great in practice and then struggle in competition. One week everything feels solid and confident, and the next it feels like their body stops cooperating. For parents and athletes, that shift can feel scary and frustrating, especially when nothing about the skills has actually changed.I talk with athletes and families all the time who ask the same question: Why does this keep happening? They know the skills are there. They have done them over and over in practice. But when the pressure is on, their heart races, their muscles tighten, and everything suddenly feels harder than it should.In this episode, I explain why competition creates such a strong reaction in the body. When something feels important, the brain treats it like a threat. The heart speeds up, breathing changes, and the body gets tense. This is not a sign that an athlete is weak or unprepared. It is a normal response that shows up when the brain thinks something really matters.Wh