The Anti-Fragile Mindset

Train Calm, Compete Calm: When Everything Feels Wrong

Tue, 26 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Are You Accidentally Training Yourself to Panic?

It's May. Spring skating season. New programs, new choreography, new everything.

And across rinks everywhere, skaters are standing at the boards after run-throughs thinking: "What is wrong with me?"

You're not broken. You're learning. And learning always looks awkward at first.

But here's what most skaters don't realize:

Every practice is teaching your nervous system something. Not just jumps and choreography—it's teaching your body HOW TO FEEL.

If every run-through becomes panic, frustration, and self-criticism—your body learns: "Running my program feels stressful."

And then competition comes. And you're wondering: "Why am I so nervous? I've done this program a hundred times."

You did. But maybe you practiced it a hundred times while teaching your body to panic.

🎙️ WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

- Why the awkward phase is NORMAL (and what's actually happening in your brain)
- State-dependent learning: How your body remembers practice emotions
- Why some skaters train beautifully but fall apart in competition
- The 5 strategies to train calm (so you compete calm)
- The 3-second recovery protocol elite skaters use
- How to stop comparing your May run-through to someone else's December performance
- Daily practice tools to track and improve your emotional training

This episode is for:
→ Skaters learning new spring programs (and feeling frustrated/behind)
→ Athletes who train well but freeze in competition
→ Parents supporting skaters through the awkward learning phase
→ Coaches helping athletes build mental resilience
→ Anyone who's ever panicked before a performance despite being "ready"

Your nervous system doesn't know the difference between practice and competition. It just remembers how you trained it to feel.

Train panic → Compete with panic.
Train calm → Compete with calm.

📥 FREE WORKBOOKS
christinereeves.ca/freebies

📅 BOOK A FREE 20-MINUTE COACHING CALL:
christinereeves.ca/coaching

📖 GET THE BOOK: "Glitz & Grit: Beyond the Spotlight"
Available at Indigo, Barnes & Noble, or on my website christinereeves.ca

🎧 WATCH ON: YouTube
https://youtu.be/ICmj_E-UZlA

---

📱 CONNECT:
Instagram: @christinereevescoaching
Facebook: Christine Reeves Beleznay
Website: christinereeves.ca

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ABOUT THE ANTI-FRAGILE MINDSET:

Mental performance strategies for athletes navigating pressure, comparison, and the messy process of learning new skills. Hosted by Christine Reeves Beleznay—former world-level pairs figure skater, mental performance coach (CMTT, CLC, NLP), and author of "Glitz & Grit: Beyond the Spotlight."

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#FigureSkating #SpringTraining #MentalPerformance #AthleteMentalHealth #PerformanceAnxiety #SportsPerformance #FigureSkatingPodcast #MentalToughness #AthleteTraining #CompetitionMindset #SportsAnxiety #SkatingCoach #YouthSports #MentalResilience #StateDependentLearning

Support the show

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ABOUT THE HOST:
Christine Reeves Beleznay is a former professional world pairs figure skater (22 countries, 1980s-2000s), high-performance mindset coach to Olympic-bound athletes, and author of "Glitz & Grit: Beyond the Spotlight."

SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW:
New episodes weekly! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.

READ THE BOOK:
📚 "Glitz & Grit: Beyond the Spotlight" - Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Indigo
A memoir about mental survival in elite sport and life after the spotlight fades.
www.christinereeves.ca

WORK WITH CHRISTINE:
High-performance mindset coaching for athletes and professionals
Team workshops and speaking engagements
📧 careeves62@gmail.com
🌐 www.christinereeves.ca

CONNECT:
📱 Instagram: skatingmindgym
💼 LinkedIn: Christine Reeves Beleznay
🎙️ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts and Buzzsprout Podcasts - it helps others find the show!

SUPPORT THE SHOW:
If this episode helped you, please:
✅ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
✅ Share with someone who needs to hear it
✅ Tag us on social media with your takeaways

Thank you for being part of The Anti-Fragile Mindset community.

#TheAntiFragileMindset #MentalPerformance #SportsPerformance
#SportsPerformance #MindsetCoaching #AthleteLife #HighPerformance #FigureSkating #Resilience #PodcastR...

The Perfectionism Trap: What Ilia Malinin's Olympic Meltdown Teaches Us About Performance

Tue, 19 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400

The Perfectionism Trap: When 'Good Enough' Feels Like Failure

February 2026. Milan, Italy. Ilia Malinin—the "Quad God"—steps onto Olympic ice as the overwhelming favorite for gold. Undefeated for two years. World Champion. Grand Prix Champion.

And then... he falls. Twice.

Later, he posts on Instagram: "On the world's biggest stage, those who appear the strongest may still be fighting invisible battles on the inside."

This is what perfectionism does. It doesn't make you better—it makes you worse.

In this episode, we dive into the perfectionism trap that's sabotaging athletes at the highest levels—and what you can do to break free.

🎙️ WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

- What perfectionism really is (hint: it's not about high standards—it's about fear)
- Why the need to be "perfect" actually sabotages performance (brain science behind the freeze)
- How perfectionism hijacked Ilia Malinin at the 2026 Olympics
- Why Alysa Liu retired at 16, came back on her own terms, and won Olympic gold
- Isabeau Levito's battle with stress and the mental toll of defending a title
- Gracie Gold's memoir "Out of shape worthless loser" and her struggle with suicidal ideation
- My own perfectionism disaster: Performing at Le Lido cabaret in Paris in front of Chanel, Dior designers, and famous actors—and how my need to be flawless caused the exact catastrophe I feared
- The 5 shifts that help you trade perfection for performance

This episode is for:
→ Athletes struggling with perfectionism and fear of judgment
→ Figure skaters feeling the pressure to be flawless
→ Parents supporting perfectionistic athletes
→ Coaches helping athletes overcome performance anxiety
→ Anyone who's ever frozen under pressure because they were terrified of making a mistake

You don't need perfection to be valuable. You need courage to show up and the resilience to get back up when you fall.

📅 BOOK A FREE 20-MINUTE COACHING CALL:
christinereeves.ca/coaching

📥 FREE DOWNLOAD: 3 Mental Toughness Techniques for Recovery & Setbacks
christinereeves.ca/freebies

📖 GET THE BOOK: "Glitz & Grit: Beyond the Spotlight"
Available at Indigo, Barnes & Noble, or christinereeves.ca

---

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Cold Open: Ilia Malinin's Olympic meltdown
1:00 - What perfectionism really is (it's not about high standards—it's fear)
4:30 - My perfectionism disaster: Le Lido Paris cabaret show (cutting my partner's leg)
8:00 - Why perfectionism sabotages performance (brain science)
11:30 - Alysa Liu: The skater who broke free from "robot culture"
14:30 - The 5 shifts that help (redefine mistake, focus on next 10 seconds, ship "version 1.0")
16:30 - Coaching & Resources
18:00 - Outro: Be brave enough to be imperfect

📱 CONNECT:
Instagram: @skatingmindgym
Facebook: Christine Reeves Beleznay
Website: christinereeves.ca

---

ABOUT THE ANTI-FRAGILE MINDSET:

Mental performance strategies for athletes, high-performers, and anyone navigating pressure, perfectionism, and fear of judgment. Hosted by Christine Reeves Beleznay—former world-level pairs figure skater, mental performance coach (CMTT, CLC, NLP), and author of "Glitz & Grit: Beyond the Spotlight."

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FEATURED SKATERS IN THIS EPISODE:
- Ilia Malinin (2026 Olympic Men's Figure Skating)
- Alysa Liu (2026 Olympic Gold Medalist, Women's Figure Skating)
- Isabeau Levito (2023 U.S. Champion, 2024 World Silver Medalist)
- Gracie Gold (2014 Olympic Team Bronze Medalist,

---

#Perfectionism #FigureSkating #IliaMalinin #AlysaLiu #MentalPerformance #AthletePerformance #PerformanceAnxiety #MentalHealth #FearOfFailure #Olympics2026 #FigureSkatingPodcast #AthleteMentalHealth #SportsPerformance #MentalToughness #OvercomingPerfectionism

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When Your Body Quits Before Your Mind: Navigating Career-Ending Injuries

Tue, 12 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400

When Your Body Quits Before Your Mind: Navigating Career-Ending Injuries

You're lying on the ice. You felt the pop. You heard it. And before anyone says a word… you already know. Your body just ended your career. But your mind? It's still planning next season.

This is the disconnect nobody talks about—when your body makes a decision your mind hasn't accepted yet.

In this episode, we explore the psychological reality of forced retirement: the invisible grief, the identity crisis, and what actually helps when your sport ends before you're ready.

🎙️ WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

- Why forced endings are harder than chosen retirement
- The grief nobody understands (and why people try to "fix" it instead of sitting with it)
- How to navigate the identity shift from athlete to… who?
- The qualities you built in sport that don't disappear with injury
- Why therapy and mental health support are essential (not optional)
- How to rebuild a life that isn't centered around your sport anymore

📅 BOOK A FREE 20-MINUTE COACHING CALL:
christinereeves.ca/coaching

📥 FREE DOWNLOAD: 3 Mental Toughness Techniques for Recovery & Setbacks
christinereeves.ca/freebies

📖 GET THE BOOK: "Glitz & Grit: Beyond the Spotlight"
Available at Indigo, Barnes & Noble, or christinereeves.ca

🎧 LISTEN ON:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4FUyAhxi5sIQCC0m8w7hVY?si=44886764cc064691
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-anti-fragile-mindset/id1522767105
YouTube: https://youtu.be/0TmStUFxqVA

📱 CONNECT:
Instagram: @skatingmindgym
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christine.reevesbeleznay/
Website: christinereeves.ca

ABOUT THE ANTI-FRAGILE MINDSET:

Mental performance strategies for athletes, high-performers, and anyone navigating pressure, setbacks, and unwanted endings. Hosted by Christine Reeves Beleznay—former world-level pairs figure skater, mental performance coach (CMTT, CLC, NLP), and author of "Glitz & Grit: Beyond the Spotlight."

#CareerEndingInjury #SportsInjury #MentalPerformance #AthleteRetirement #SportsInjuryRecovery #MentalHealth #AthleteIdentity #ForcedRetirement #InjuryRecovery #AthleteGrief #SportsTransition #MentalResilience #SportsPerformance

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When Everyone Else is Doing Better Than You

Tue, 05 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400

🏆 WHEN EVERYONE ELSE IS DOING BETTER THAN YOU

It's May. Off-season.

And you're watching another skater land a triple salchow—clean, easy, like it's nothing.

Meanwhile, you're still working on your double axel. And it's not going well.

Your brain whispers: "You'll never be as good as them."

Sound familiar?

In this episode, we dive into the comparison trap that hits athletes (and high-performers) hardest during off-season—and what to do about it.

---

🎯 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

- Why your brain compares YOUR struggle to THEIR highlight reel
- The off-season comparison spiral (watching training mates progress faster)
- Why moving up a level triggers fear of embarrassment and self-doubt
- The 3 shifts that turn comparison into fuel (without toxic positivity)
- How this applies to business professionals facing promotions and new roles
- What to do when your inner voice says "you don't belong here"
- Why doubt doesn't disqualify you—quitting does

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⛸️ FOR FIGURE SKATERS:

This episode is for you if:
- You're watching training mates land jumps you're still working on
- You're moving up a level and terrified you'll be last
- You're comparing yourself to competitors on social media
- You're questioning if you belong at this level

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💼 FOR BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS:

This episode is for you if:
- You just got promoted and feel overwhelmed
- Everyone in the room seems more confident/experienced than you
- You're wondering if people will figure out you don't belong
- You're afraid of failing publicly

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🧠 THE 3 SHIFTS:

1. COMPARE TO YOUR OWN TIMELINE (not theirs)
2. GET CURIOUS INSTEAD OF COMPARATIVE (turn threats into resources)
3. FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CONTROL (effort, mindset, showing up)

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👤 ABOUT CHRISTINE:

Christine Reeves Beleznay (CMTT, CLC, NLP)
- Mental Performance Coach to Olympic-Bound Athletes
- Former World-Level Pairs Figure Skater (22 countries)
- Author: "Glitz & Grit: Beyond the Spotlight"
- Host: The Anti-Fragile Mindset Podcast

Specialties: Comparison mindset, imposter syndrome, performance anxiety, athlete transitions, competitive confid

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Injuries, Imposter Syndrome & Jr. Nationals: Ice Dancer Summer Homick's Story

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

FROM IMPOSTER SYNDROME TO JR. NATIONALS SILVER MEDAL

Summer Homick didn't just win silver at the 2026 Canadian Junior National Ice Dance Championships—she earned it while battling injuries, imposter syndrome, and the stress of living away from home to train.

In this episode, I sit down with Summer (Silver Medalist - National Championships) to talk about the mental performance journey that got her here.

🎯 WHAT YOU'LL HEAR:

- How Summer went from solo skating → pairs → ice dance (and the imposter syndrome that came with each transition)
- Training through multiple injuries while preparing for Junior Worlds
- The mental strategies that helped her skate a personal best under pressure
- How mental performance coaching increased her resilience and confidence
- Dealing with self-doubt when switching disciplines

⛸️ SUMMER HOMICK'S STORY:

Summer's journey includes multiple discipline transitions (solo → pairs → ice dance), each bringing new technical challenges and mental hurdles. Despite injuries and the pressure of living away from home to train, she and Nicholas delivered a personal best performance at Junior Nationals to earn silver and qualify for Jr. Worlds.

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👤 ABOUT CHRISTINE:

Christine Reeves Beleznay (CMTT, CLC, NLP)
- Mental Performance Coach to Olympic-Bound Athletes
- Summer Homick's Mental Performance Coach
- Former World-Level Pairs Figure Skater (22 countries)
- Author: "Glitz & Grit: Beyond the Spotlight"
- Host: The Anti-Fragile Mindset Podcast

Specialties: Mental toughness training, performance under pressure, injury recovery mindset, imposter syndrome, competitive anxiety

💼 WORK WITH CHRISTINE:

🎁 FREE: "3 Mental Toughness Techniques for Recovery & Setbacks"
Download: christinereeves.ca/freebies

📞 1:1 Coaching: Book free discovery call
christinereeves.ca/coaching

📚 BOOK: "Glitz & Grit: Beyond the Spotlight"
Available: Indigo, Barnes & Noble, christinereeves.ca

🔗 CONNECT:
christinereeves.ca | Instagram: @skatingmindgym

#MentalPerformance #IceDance #JrNationals #ImpostorSyndrome #AthleteInterview #FigureSkating #JuniorWorlds #MentalToughness #CompetitiveSkating

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The Power of Ownership: When Athletes Get a Voice (And Why It Wins)

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

🏆 THE POWER OF OWNERSHIP: WHEN ATHLETES GET A VOICE (AND WHY IT WINS)

Les Suprêmes. Canadian synchronized skating team. Five straight World Championships (2022-2026).

But from 2003 to 2022—nearly two decades—they struggled to stay on top.

What changed? The athletes got a VOICE.

In this 15-minute episode, I break down why ownership beats obedience in sports, leadership, parenting, and life.

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🎯 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

- Les Suprêmes' story: From 20-year medal drought to 5 straight World titles
- The shift that changed everything: Athletes got ownership over their programs
- Ownership vs. obedience coaching models (and which one works long-term)
- How to give athletes/team members a voice without losing structure
- Practical implementation strategies for coaches, leaders, and parents
- Why athlete autonomy creates championship teams
- How to apply this to business leadership, parenting, and team culture

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👤 ABOUT CHRISTINE:

Christine Reeves Beleznay (CMTT, CLC, NLP)
- Mental Performance Coach to Olympic-Bound Athletes
- Former World-Level Pairs Figure Skater (22 countries)
- Author: "Glitz & Grit: Beyond the Spotlight"
- Host: The Anti-Fragile Mindset Podcast

Specialties: Athlete autonomy, ownership-based coaching, team culture development, modern mental performance strategies

---

💼 WORK WITH CHRISTINE:

🎁 FREE: "3 Mental Toughness Techniques for Recovery & Setbacks"
Download: christinereeves.ca/freebies

📞 1:1 Coaching: Book free discovery call
christinereeves.ca/coaching

📚 Book: "Glitz & Grit: Beyond the Spotlight"
Available: Indigo, Barnes & Noble, christinereeves.ca

---

🎧 NEXT EPISODE:

Episode 8: "When Your Body Quits Before Your Mind"
Career-ending injuries, forced retirement, unwanted endings—how to navigate losing what defined you.

---

🔗 CONNECT:

christinereeves.ca | info@christinereeves.ca
Instagram: @skatingmindgym

#AthleteOwnership #CoachingPhilosophy #TeamCulture #Leadership #Empowerment #LesSupremes #MentalPerformance

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THE COMEBACK MINDSET: BOUNCING BACK FROM INJURY & SETBACKS

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

🏥 THE COMEBACK MINDSET: BOUNCING BACK FROM INJURY & SETBACKS

Athletes with higher fear and anxiety during recovery are 13 TIMES more likely to suffer a second injury. Not 13 percent. 13 TIMES. Why? Because recovery isn't just physical—it's MENTAL. In this episode, I break down what separates athletes who come back STRONGER from those who never fully recover.

🎯 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
- Why your MIND determines your recovery speed
- The 3 mental techniques that speed physical recovery (and why most athletes skip them)
- Why fear of re-injury becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy (and how to break the cycle)
- The mental toll of forced retirement (when your career ends before you're ready)

👤 ABOUT
Christine Reeves Beleznay (CMTT, CLC, NLP)
- Mental Performance Coach to Olympic-Bound Athletes
- Former World-Level Pairs Figure Skater (22 countries)
- Professional Show Skater (Disney on Ice, Torvill & Dean)
- Author: "Glitz & Grit: Beyond the Spotlight"
- Host: The Anti-Fragile Mindset Podcast

💼 WORK WITH CHRISTINE
🎁 FREE RESOURCE: "3 Mental Toughness Techniques for Recovery & Setbacks"
Download: christinereeves.ca/freebies

📞 1:1 MENTAL PERFORMANCE COACHING
Book a free 20-minute discovery call: christinereeves.ca/coaching
📧 Email: info@christinereeves.ca

📚 IN-PERSON EVENT
Book Signing & Mental Performance Q&A
📅 Sunday, April 12, 2026 | 12:00-3:00 PM
📍 Indigo Sherway Gardens, Etobicoke, Ontario
Come for 5 mins or stay and chat! RSVP: christinereeves.ca/events
📖 BOOK: "Glitz & Grit: Beyond the Spotlight"
Available: Indigo, Barnes & Noble, christinereeves.ca

🔗 CONNECT
Website: christinereeves.ca
Instagram: @skatingmindgym
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@christine.glitz.g
Email: info@christinereeves.ca

💬 ENGAGE
✅ Subscribe for weekly mental performance content
✅ Share with someone recovering from setback
✅ Leave a 5-star review if this helped you
✅ Comment: Have you faced injury or forced transition? What helped?

#MentalToughness #InjuryRecovery #ComebackMindset #Resilience #CareerTransition #TheAntiFragileMindset #GlitzAndGrit

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Mental Toughness Training: How Elite Figure Skaters Handle Competition Pressure (Worlds 2026 Analysis)

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400

MENTAL TOUGHNESS TRAINING FOR COMPETITIVE ATHLETES

World Figure Skating Championships 2026 just ended. The athletes who medaled didn't just have better technique—they had superior mental performance.

In this episode, I break down the sports psychology techniques that determined podiums at Worlds 2026—and how YOU can apply them to any high-pressure situation.

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🎯 KEY TOPICS COVERED:

- Mental toughness training for competitive athletes (applicable to ANY sport)
- Sports psychology techniques for handling competition pressure
- Performance anxiety management strategies (5 specific techniques)
- Energy management for multi-day championships
- The "pressure flip" - going from underdog to favorite
- How Olympic-level coaches prepare athletes mentally
- Celebration vs redemption mindsets (which performs better?)
- Quick recovery protocols for errors during performance
- Neuroscience of performance breakdown (paralysis by analysis)

👤 ABOUT THE HOST:

Christine Reeves Beleznay (CMTT, CLC, NLP)
- Mental Performance Coach to Olympic-Bound Athletes
- Former World-Level Pairs Figure Skater (competed in 22 countries)
- Professional Show Skater (Disney on Ice, Torvill & Dean tours)
- Author: "Glitz & Grit: Beyond the Spotlight"
- Host: The Anti-Fragile Mindset Podcast

Specialties:
→ Mental toughness training for athletes & high performers
→ Competition pressure & performance anxiety management
→ Energy management for multi-day competitions
→ Career transitions & athletic identity work
→ Team mental performance workshops

💼 WORK WITH CHRISTINE:

🎁 FREE RESOURCE: "5 Mental Toughness Techniques Olympic Athletes Use Under Pressure"
Download at: christinereeves.ca/free

📞 1:1 MENTAL PERFORMANCE COACHING:
Book a free 20-minute discovery call: christinereeves.ca/coaching

Areas of focus:
- Competition pressure & performance anxiety
- Mental toughness & resilience training
- Energy management strategies
- Recovering from failure/setbacks
- Career transitions for athletes

📧 Email: careeves62@gmail.com

📚 FREE IN-PERSON EVENT:

Book Signing & Mental Performance Q&A
📅 Sunday, April 12, 2026 | 12:00-3:00 PM
📍 Indigo Sherway Gardens, Etobicoke, Ontario

This isn't just a book signing—it's FREE mental performance coaching.

Ask me anything about:
- Competition pressure
- Performance anxiety
- Mental toughness training
- Sports psychology techniques
- Energy management
- Recovering from failure

No purchase required. Everyone welcome.

Perfect for: Athletes (any sport), coaches, parents of competitive kids, business professionals, figure skating fans

RSVP: christinereeves.ca/events

📖 BOOK: "Glitz & Grit: Beyond the Spotlight"

A memoir about mental survival in elite figure skating and what comes after the spotlight fades.

Available on:
→ Indigo:
→ christinereeves.ca

🔗 CONNECT:

Website: christinereeves.ca
Instagram: skatingminggym

💬 ENGAGE:

If this episode helped you:
✅ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
✅ Share with an athlete, coach, or parent who needs this
✅ Comment - What's YOUR biggest mental performance challenge?
✅ Subscribe for weekly mental performance content

🎧 RELATED EPISODES:

Episode 3: Mental Training for Figure Skaters - Handling Pressure at World Championships 2026
Episode 2: After the Olympics - Understanding Why Champions Choose to Withdraw
Episode 1: I'm Back - Relaunching The Anti-Fragile Mindset

#MentalToughnessTraining #SportsPerformanceCoaching #MentalPerformanceCoach #AthleteMentalHealth #CompetitionPressure #PerformanceAnxiety #SportsPsychology #FigureSkating #Worlds2026 #HighPerformanceCoaching #MindsetCoach #OlympicCoach #MentalTraining #TheAntiFragi

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Episode 3: The Great Withdrawal - Canada's Moment At World's 2026

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

World Figure Skating Championships start TODAY in Prague (March 25-29).

But the roster looks very different than it did at the Milano Olympics last month.

Over 20 Athletes have withdrawn - Olympic champions, defending world champions, beloved veterans.

When so many step back... someone else steps forward.

And for Team Canada? This is their moment.

In Episode 3, I break down Team Canada's mental game heading into Worlds and explore the strategies athletes use to manage pressure and energy across multi-day championships.

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WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

→ The "pressure flip" - how Stephen Gogolev navigates going from Olympic underdog to World Championship medal favorite overnight

→ The celebration mindset - why Piper Gilles & Paul Poirier are approaching Worlds with joy instead of desperation after 15 years of partnership

→ Healthy vs. desperate redemption - Madeline Schizas's approach after a heartbreaking 25th place at the Olympics

→ Energy management strategies for multi-day competitions - from someone who performed MULTIPLE shows per day in Disney on Ice and Torvill & Dean tours with a newborn baby

→ What over 20 withdrawals tell us about the future of elite sport and whether the competitive season structure needs to change

---

CANADIAN ATHLETES FEATURED:

- Stephen Gogolev (Men's Singles)
- Piper Gilles & Paul Poirier (Ice Dance)
- Madeline Schizas (Women's Singles)
- Lia Pereira & Trennt Michaud (Pairs)
- Kelly Ann Laurin & Loucas Éthier (Pairs)

---

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

- When you're the underdog, you have freedom. When you're the favorite, expectations weigh heavy. Learning to navigate this "pressure flip" is one of the hardest mental shifts in sport.

- Celebration mindset (already satisfied) often leads to better performance than redemption mindset (desperate to prove something).

- Energy management across multi-day championships: protect warm-up energy, manage nervous system activation, prioritize rest, strategic nutrition timing, mental energy conservation.

- Stepping back from competition isn't weakness - it's strategic intelligence and protecting long-term career health.

---

ABOUT THE HOST:

Christine Reeves Beleznay is a former world professional pairs figure skater who competed in 22 countries and performed professionally with Disney on Ice and the Torvill & Dean touring show. She's now a high-performance mindset coach working with Olympic-bound athletes and author of "Glitz & Grit: Beyond the Spotlight."

---

RESOURCES:

Book: "Glitz & Grit: Beyond the Spotlight" - available at Indigo/Chapters, Barnes & Noble
Website: christinereeves.ca
Book Signing: April 12, 12-3 PM, Indigo Sherway Gardens, Toronto

---

CONNECT:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skatingmindgym/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@christine.glitz.g

X: https://x.com/fitskate

Email: careeves62@gmail.com
Website: christinereeves.ca

---

If this episode resonated with you:
✅ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
✅ Share with a coach, athlete, or parent who needs this
✅ Follow on social media for more mental performance content

Thank you for being part of The Anti-Fragile Mindset community.

#MentalPerformance #FigureSkating #Worlds2026 #TeamCanada #Olympics #SportsPerformance #AthleteWellbeing #MindsetCoaching #HighPerformance #StephenGogolev #PiperGilles #PaulPoirier #MadelineSchizas #EnergyManagement

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Episode 2: After the Olympics Understanding, Why Champions Choose to Withdraw

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:00:00 -0400

World Figure Skating Championships start soon in Prague. Some of the biggest names from the 2026 Olympics won't be there.

Olympic gold medalists Liu, Shaidorov, and Japan's pairs champions have all withdrawn. So have Chock & Bates.

Why?

In this episode, I break down who's skipping Worlds, their reasons, and what their choices reveal about mental performance, recovery, and strategic decision-making in high-stakes environments.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

→ Complete breakdown of Olympic medalists withdrawing from Worlds
→ How to define success on your own terms (not what others expect)
→ Why recovery is part of high performance, not weakness
→ Ilia's different approach: the "redemption competition"
→ A personal story from my book about the cost of ignoring your body

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

- Know the difference between pushing through and pushing too far
- Define what success means for YOU (not social media, not competitors)
- Recovery isn't weakness - it's strategy
- Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is step back

What ever high performance pressure you're facing - this episode has lessons you need.

---

ABOUT THE HOST:

Christine Reeves Beleznay is a former world professional pairs figure skater (competed & performed in 22 countries), high-performance mindset coach to Olympic-bound athletes, and author of "Glitz & Grit: Beyond the Spotlight."

SUBSCRIBE:

New episodes weekly on mental performance, resilience, and thriving under pressure.

CONNECT:

📚 Book: "Glitz & Grit: Beyond the Spotlight" - Available on Barnes & Noble and Indigo
🌐 Website: www.christinereeves.ca
📧 Coaching: careeves62@gmail.com
📱 Instagram: skatingmindgym

BOOK SIGNING EVENT:

Join me Sunday, April 12, 12-3 PM at Indigo Sherway for my first author signing! Details at christinereeves.ca

SUPPORT THE SHOW:

If this episode helped you:
✅ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
✅ Share with someone
✅ Follow on social media

Thank you for being part of The Anti-Fragile Mindset community.

#MentalPerformance #FigureSkating #Worlds2026 #Olympics #SportsPerformance #AthleteWellbeing #MindsetCoaching #HighPerformance

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"I'm Back: Why I Stopped, Why I'm Returning & What's Next"

Sat, 14 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0400

After a 3-year hiatus, The Anti-Fragile Mindset podcast is back — and I'm so glad you're here.

In this episode, I'm getting real about:

→ Why I stopped the podcast in 2021 (spoiler: COVID, rebuilding my business, and my son needed me)
→ What shifted that made me ready to return (writing my book, coaching grassroot to Olympic bound athletes, and conversations that needs to happen)
→ What's coming this season (expert interviews, teases from my book, mental performance strategies, and real talk about pressure)

This episode is personal, vulnerable, and sets the stage for what's ahead.

Whether you're an athlete facing pressure, a coach supporting your team, a parent navigating competitive sport with your child, or a professional in a high-stakes career — this podcast is for you.

Welcome to the new Season 1 of The Anti-Fragile Mindset. Let's build mental strength together.

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ABOUT THE HOST:
Christine Reeves Beleznay is a former professional world pairs figure skater (competed and performed in 22 countries, multiple ice shows, TV, movies, 1980s-2000s), and now a high-performance mindset coach from grassroot to Olympic-bound athletes, and author of "Glitz & Grit: Beyond the Spotlight."

SUBSCRIBE:
New episodes weekly on mental performance, resilience, and thriving under pressure.

CONNECT:
📧 careeves62@gmail.com
🌐 www.christinereeves.ca
📚 Book: Glitz & Grit: Beyond the spotlight - Available in eBook and paperback on Amazon, Indigo/Chapters and Barnes & Noble
📱 Instagram: skatingmindgym
💼 LinkedIn: Christine Reeves Beleznay

WORK WITH CHRISTINE:
High-performance mindset coaching for athletes, team workshops, and speaking engagements.

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#MentalPerformance #SportsPerformance #MindsetCoaching #AthleteLife #HighPerformance #FigureSkating #Resilience #PodcastRelaunch

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