UNA Beach Volleyball | Head Coach Kaleb Vandeperre: The Mental Side Athletes Struggle With Most (Part 3)
About this episode
This episode explores the mental challenges athletes face and how to overcome them, featuring insights from UNA Beach Volleyball Head Coach Kaleb Vandeperre.
In Part 3 of our conversation with UNA Beach Volleyball Head Coach Kaleb Vandeperre, we dive into the mental side of the game - and what truly holds athletes back from reaching their potential. From comparison and perfectionism to confidence and identity, this episode explores the internal battles athletes face and how to work through them. Coach Vandeperre shares honest insight on what he sees at the college level, how athletes can separate themselves mentally, and the importance of understanding who you are beyond your sport. We also get into: – Why comparison is one of the biggest traps in sports – The danger of perfectionism and hesitation – How to help quieter athletes find their voice – What college coaches wish athletes understood earlier – The role of identity in performance and confidence – Whether energy can actually be coached Plus, a rapid-fire segment packed with real, practical takeaways for athletes navigating their journey. If you’re an athlete (or parent) trying to better understand the mental side of performance and recruitment, this is a must-listen.
People in this episode
Guest: Kaleb Vandeperre
Topics covered
- mental side of sports
- athlete performance
- comparison in sports
- perfectionism
- athlete identity
- confidence
- coaching insights
Keywords
- mental performance
- athlete struggles
- coaching advice
- sports psychology
- identity in sports
- confidence building
- athlete recruitment
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: UNA Beach Volleyball
More episodes of Better Together
- Volleyball Recruiting Tips: What Athletes and Parents Need to Know with Alicia Krichev
- UNA Beach Volleyball | Head Coach Kaleb Vandeperre: Recruiting Truths & What Coaches Really Look For (Part 2)
- UNA Beach Volleyball | Head Coach Kaleb Vandeperre on Identity, Culture, and Performance (Part 1)
- Looking Back with Merritt Beason (Part 2): Leadership, Confidence & the Mental Game
- Looking Back with Merritt Beason (Part 1): Recruiting, Identity & Finding Your Way
- Aija Abele on Culture, Coaching, and the Work Athletes Don’t See (Part 2)
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