Episode 130

Lessons from my favorite (& least successful) season - LaGrange College 2022 Season

Published on: 18th July, 2022

Have you ever had every intention of pushing something off for just a little bit... and then a million things happened and before long it seems like FOREVER has passed?

Of course you have... You're a coach!

Well... All we can say is thank you for your patience in this almost year hiatus.

We were ALWAYS planning on getting back on the mic, but y'know... life. AND! If you don't follow us on social, the big reason for the brake is I'm back in coaching!

You'll be listening to the new Head Softball Coach and associate AD at LaGrange College. It's seriously a dream gig for me. My boss is amazing, the entire department and school are so welcoming and supportive. Even the PRESIDENT of the college actually knows me AND my girls!

And then there's my girls. Wow am I grateful for my predecessor recruiting amazing humans. They shared what they wanted out of the season, they put in the work... many went above and beyond (ahem my haven't-pitched-since-high-school pitchers who stepped up!)...

Even though we did not get the outcomes we wanted, it truly was a great season with even greater people.

I have to be honest here. It might not have been so great for me had I not had Mental Sweet Spot, Alicia and our Sweet Spotters the past 4 years. I have learned SO much and GROWN tremendously.

And that's what I want to share with you today! Listen in as I share the 5 lessons I learned from my favorite (and least successful) season.

Enjoy!

Mel

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About the Podcast

Signed & Ready
College Recruiting + Mental Game Mastery for Softball Athletes and Families
Signed & Ready is the go-to podcast for softball athletes and families navigating the college recruiting process—and preparing to thrive once they get there.

Hosted by Alicia Smith, head coach, recruiting mentor, and mental performance expert, this show pulls back the curtain on what really moves the needle in college recruiting: leadership, composure, and confidence under pressure.

If you're a parent wondering how to support your daughter without overstepping—or an athlete who wants to feel ready, not just look ready—you're in the right place.

Each episode delivers practical strategies, real talk, and coach-level insights on:

Standing out in the recruiting process (beyond the stats)

Building confidence that actually shows up on game day

Leading yourself through high-pressure moments

Thriving in college athletics with a strong mental game

This isn’t just about getting signed.
It’s about becoming the kind of athlete coaches can’t ignore—and the kind of leader who’s ready for the next level.

👉 New episodes weekly. Subscribe now and start building your mental edge—from the inside out.

About your host

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Melanie Rushing

If you're the type of coach who believes team culture is key, mental training is a secret weapon, and we can make the biggest impact when we coach the whole person, this podcast is for you!

Hey! We're Melanie Rushing & Alicia Smith - just a couple of softball coaches like you, who want to share our passion for building team culture & mentally tough players.

New episodes are released on Mondays and are typically about 30 minutes long. Just enough time to drive the field or give it a good drag.

We share what we've learned in our 30+ combined years of on-field experience (influenced by our Sport Psych, Coaching Sport Performance & Leadership education)

PLUS we bring on guests from the top softball teams, field of sport psychology and those who specialize in sport performance!

SO if you want to learn actionable tips and strategies to help your team win more games and have more fun head to your podcast player of choice & subscribe!

Talk to you soon!