Performhappy With Rebecca Smith

Performance and high scores are not built on skills alone. They come from something most athletes overlook. In this episode of the Perform Happy Podcast, I sit down with Tammy DeGuzman to talk about the hidden factor that makes routines stand out.Tammy is a FIG brevet judge, coach, and parent who has seen the sport from every angle. She explains that judges can feel a routine within seconds. It is not just execution. It is presence, confidence, and what she calls the “twinkle in their eye.”We also talk about performance. Many athletes think you either have it or you don’t, but Tammy shows it can be trained. Using mirrors, music, and bigger movements, athletes can learn to project confidence and connect with judges.Another key takeaway is scores. Gymnastics is subjective, and chasing numbers can be frustrating. Instead, the focus should be on progress, confidence, and enjoying the process.We also discuss resilience. As a parent, it is tempting to fix everything, but growth comes from struggle. Sometimes the mo