26. Mental Toughness Secrets from UTSA Head Volleyball Coach Carol Price-Torok

Gettin' Gritty with Dr. J

In the realm of sports, where resilience and mental toughness reign supreme, one athlete's journey took an unexpected turn. Carol Price-Torok, a seasoned sports enthusiast and current health coach at Division I University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), Carol's path was filled with surprising twists and turns. But it was her unwavering determination and the lessons she learned along the way that would ultimately shape her destiny. Join us as we delve into Carol's remarkable tale, a narrative that will leave you yearning for more.

Bringing her wealth of experience to the table, Carol Price-Torok is a figure who embodies mental toughness and adaptability in sports. Growing up in a small town in Michigan, Carol juggled multiple sports, juggling basketball, soccer and volleyball. Despite the challenges, she honed her skills and persevered. Over time, it became clear that volleyball was her calling - her talents meant she was sought after, and she soon had scholarship offers pouring in. Even as she seamlessly transitioned from player to coach, her journey through the realms of sports remains as inspiring as ever - a testament to the power of resilience, determination and adaptability.

You have to decide what's right for your child. Sit down as a family and say, hey, what's the most important thing? Is it going to do this? Is it going to do that? What does that look like for you? - Carol Price-Torok

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Unearth the potential risks involved and choices parents must handle when their children specialize early in a single sport.

• Appreciate the critical role of multiple sports in fostering holistic development and enhancing overall athleticism during youth.

• Recognize the negative impact that early sports specialization can have on a child, both physically and psychologically.

• Comprehend the power of mental toughness in sports and the benefits it can bring to a young athlete's performance and personal growth.

• Unlock balanced strategies for youth sports, emphasizing the combined importance of specialization and multisport involvement.

Adverse effects of premature single-sport concentration Starting undivided attention to a single sport prematurely can lead to increased pressure, causing performance stress and impacting mental health. As Carol points out, this pressure can lead to an athlete performing below their capability, severely affecting their future prospects. Encouraging athletes to embrace a mixed-sport approach earlier in their career can help them develop resilience, improve their mental toughness and ability to cope with adversities in sports.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

• Visit Dr. Julie Wiernik's website to learn more about her services as a licensed sport and performance psychologist.

• Check out the Get and Gritty podcast hosted by Dr. Julie Wiernik for more inspiring content on maximizing performance in all areas of life.

• Consider reaching out to Dr. Julie Wiernik for personalized coaching and support in achieving your goals as a parent, coach, athlete, or gritty human being.

• Explore the UTSA Athletics website to learn more about Coach Carol Price-Torok and her role as the head volleyball coach.

• Connect with Coach Carol Price-Torok on social media to stay updated on UTSA volleyball and her coaching insights.

• Discover more about Coach Hallmark, the head baseball coach and neighbor of Coach Carol Price-Torok, and his impact on the San Antonio sports community.

• Learn about the benefits of participating in multiple sports and the value of reps by listening to Coach Carol Price-Torok's perspective on the matter.

• Reflect on the importance of mental toughness and the lessons learned from facing challenges and adversity in sports and life.