More Than an Athlete: Paige Picher Giddings on Emotional Safety and the Central Nervous System for GIRLS in Sport

Guest: Paige Picher Giddings – Former high school basketball player and advocate for social and emotional safety for girls in sports.   Overview: In this episode, Paige Picher Giddings shares her personal journey of navigating the pressures of elite sports from a young age, starting in USA Swim with intense two-a-day practices by the age of seven. Her transition to high school basketball at a prestigious private school further solidified her identity as a high performer, which brought both emotional praise and verbal abuse from coaches. Paige reflects on how her self-worth became tied to her athletic achievements, leaving little room for life outside of sports.   Through her story, Paige advocates for a shift in coaching approaches, emphasizing the importance of coaches "pouring into" their athletes rather than imposing their will. She calls for a focus on teaching life skills, particularly the ability to reset and calm the central nervous system after intense competition.   Key Discussion Points:   Early Pressure in Youth Sports:   Paige’s experience of high-stakes sports from a very young age. The anxiety and lack of balance caused by constant performance demands. The Emotional Impact of Performance-Based Praise:   How receiving praise only for athletic performance led to emotional abuse. The negative effects of tying self-worth to success in sports. Rethinking Coaching:   Paige’s belief that coaches should empower athletes rather than control them. The importance of teaching girls life skills that extend beyond sports. Resetting the Nervous System:   Techniques Paige recommends, such as belly breathing, box breathing, and simple meditation practices. The significance of helping athletes shift from the sympathetic to the parasympathetic nervous system for recovery and well-being. The Importance of Connection with Our Bodies:   How sports can sometimes lead to disassociation from the body. Encouraging girls to reconnect with their bodies, recognizing they are more than their physical abilities or appearance. Takeaway Message: Girls need more than just physical training to thrive in sports—they need emotional resilience, tools for mental recovery, and the ability to separate their self-worth from athletic performance. Paige’s story highlights the importance of fostering a supportive, holistic environment for young athletes, where mental and emotional health is prioritized.   Practical Tips for Athletes:   Belly breathing for stress relief. Box breathing for focus and calm. Legs up the wall for relaxation and recovery. Meditation, even for just 5 minutes a day, to reset the nervous system. Tune in to learn how we can reshape the culture of sports for girls to promote not just athletic success, but overall well-being and emotional safety.   Available On:  https://sampsonannemarie.podbean.com/   https://open.spotify.com/show/2Wjk0S2axR58Qu0nMCcENB   https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-peac-train-like-a-girl-en-182787629/   Follow Paige Picher Giddings: https://www.instagram.com/healwith_paige/   https://www.instagram.com/peac_train_like_a_girl/   https://www.instagram.com/sustainablelife.live/