Break – Shift – Build: Mindset Lessons -By, Coach Tessa

This past month, Coach Chloe and I had the opportunity to attend GAT, where we learned more about how our bodies and minds work—and how we can elevate tumbling and performance. One of the most impactful sessions was led by Dr. Ali Arnold, who spoke about the way the brain functions and how athletes can better handle challenges by focusing on what to do versus what not to do.

A big takeaway was the idea that success often comes down to mindset: choosing not to feel sorry for yourself, but instead breaking negative thought patterns, shifting your focus, and building confidence that lasts.

Dr. Arnold introduced the concept of Break – Shift – Build, a powerful framework designed to help athletes (and really, anyone) overcome doubt and push forward.

Break

First, you have to break the loop—those negative thoughts that creep in when you’re frustrated or doubting yourself. Take a deep breath, shake it off with a quick movement, and shift your focus away from the problem being “you.”This interrupts the cycle and resets your mindset.

Shift

Then you shift. Break down the skill, focus on creating micro-wins, and celebrate progress along the way. Every small success triggers dopamine, which keeps you motivated and reminds you that improvement is a process.

Build

Finally, you build—an unshakeable identity that thrives on resilience. Dr. Arnold reminded us: There is no failure, only fuel. The setbacks you face aren’t the end; they’re the very things that strengthen your identity as an athlete and as a person.

No Room for Self-Pity

Feeling sorry for yourself is easy to do—not just in cheer, but in everyday life. Those thoughts can sneak in when you least expect them. But the truth is, self-pity doesn’t change the outcome… you do. Everyone has the same goal, and it’s up to you to decide how you’ll show up and what you’ll do to reach it.

Our coaches always remind athletes of this exact lesson: never feel sorry for yourself. Our A-List girls can definitely vouch for that one! It’s a message they’ve heard time and time again, because when you shift your mindset away from pity and toward action, that’s when real growth begins.

W.I.T.

Growing up, my family lived by three words: W.I.T. – Whatever It Takes.

As an athlete, this was something I always told myself to push through the hard times, and it was a motto I shared with every team I was on. Now, I carry it with me in my everyday life and as a coach.

There will always be moments of doubt, exhaustion, and struggle. But those are the times where W.I.T. becomes your anchor. Yes, you may feel tired. Yes, you may feel behind. But if your goal matters, you do the hard thing anyway. That’s what sets apart those who succeed.

And here’s the truth: you get what you give. The energy, effort, and mindset you put into your practices, your team, and your life are the same things that will come back to you. If you give up, you’ll get little in return. But if you give your best, even when it’s hard, you’ll reap the rewards.

It also means asking yourself in those moments: What’s important now? The answer is rarely about the setback or the fear—it’s about the next choice, the present step, the action you can take today. Every choice, every rep, every effort adds up. Stay locked in on the present, because the present is what shapes your future.

More Than Cheer

Cheer is about so much more than perfecting skills or hitting routines. It’s about shaping athletes into strong, resilient, and confident young people who can take these lessons far beyond the mat.

The values we teach—like breaking negative thought loops, shifting into a growth mindset, and building unshakeable confidence—become life skills that last long after the season ends.

With Break – Shift – Build, paired with the drive of W.I.T. (Whatever It Takes), our athletes are learning how to push through challenges, silence self-doubt, and stay focused on their goals. They’re not just becoming better cheerleaders; they’re becoming leaders, teammates, and individuals with the mental toughness to thrive in everything they do.

And through it all, we know we are never walking this journey alone. With God guiding us, we can lean on His strength when ours feels weak, trust His plan in times of doubt, and remember that our identity is rooted in something far greater than wins and losses. That faith—combined with hard work and resilience—is what truly sets our athletes apart.

Because in the end, you get what you give. And when you give your heart, effort, and faith, the return is always greater than you imagined.