Supporting the Whole Athlete: Parents Learn from Mental Performance Consultant Colette Hopkins

Parents of Pacific FC Youth players recently had the opportunity to hear from Colette Hopkins, a Mental Performance Consultant who specializes in helping athletes reach their full potential by strengthening their mental game. 

Hopkins, who holds a Master of Science degree in Sport and Performance Psychology from the University of Western States, is currently pursuing a certification as a Certified Mental Performance Consultant® (CMPC) through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). With a passion for helping athletes “close the gap between their current level of performance and their highest potential,” she works with individuals, coaches, and teams to unlock the power of the mind in both sport and life. 

During her presentation, Hopkins explored the important role parents play in supporting their young athletes’ mental wellbeing and performance. She introduced the field of mental performance consulting, explaining how it can help athletes address common challenges such as self-confidence, anxiety, stress management, energy control, distractions, and mindset.

To strengthen these areas, Hopkins outlined a variety of evidence-based techniques that athletes can use, including self-talk, mindfulness, imagery, breathing, focus strategies, goal setting, and performance routines. She emphasized that these tools don’t just help in the moments of struggle, they can be developed proactively, giving athletes a “mental skills toolbox” to draw from throughout their careers. 

A key theme of her talk centered on the value of a supportive environment, particularly one that promotes intrinsic motivation, the inner drive that fuels enjoyment, effort, and persistence. Research shows that athletes with high intrinsic motivation experience more joy in sport and lower risks of burnout and performance anxiety. 

Hopkins shared that parents can nurture this type of motivation by supporting three fundamental psychological needs: 

• Autonomy - Allowing young athletes to feel ownership over their experience and that their voice matters. 

• Relatedness - Ensuring they feel a sense of connection, belonging, and unconditional support. 

• Competence - Encouraging effort and skill development to build confidence in their abilities. 

One of the most practical and relatable sections of her presentation focused on “the car ride home”, often an emotional moment for both parents and athletes. Hopkins encouraged parents to “let them lead” the conversation, recognizing that immediately after a game, emotions may still be high. Giving athletes time to process before talking can make a big difference. When they are ready to chat, parents can help by focusing on effort, attitude, and controllable factors, while listening more and talking less. Colette relayed this helpful information not only as a mental performance consultant but as a youth sport parent herself.

Hopkins also reminded parents of the importance of staying in their lane as supporters, not sideline coaches. Offering instructions from the stands, she explained, can create confusion and tension for young athletes between a parent’s word and their coach’s direction. Instead, she encouraged parents to reflect on their own emotional responses and to reinforce messages of unconditional love and support: 

“I love you for who you are, not for what you do.”

By emphasizing support, understanding, and mindful communication, Hopkins’ presentation gave parents valuable tools to help young athletes thrive, not just in soccer, but in life. 

For more information on Colette and her consulting work, visit https://www.colettehopkins.ca/ or follow her on Instagram at @colettehopkinsconsulting