Coaching Mind's Podcast: Perform at your best! #138 - Choosing Joy Through Adversity with Kierstyn Ballard
Jul 31, 2025
Join former Baylor pole vaulter Kierstyn Ballard, who is currently pursuing a master’s in sport management, as she shares her compelling journey from gymnastics to high-stakes athletics. Kierstyn delves into the mental hurdles of high-risk performance, the identity crisis that follows injury, and the importance of asking for help. She emphasizes finding joy amidst adversity through faith and resilience, offering valuable insights for athletes and coaches alike on redefining toughness and navigating emotional challenges. A truly inspiring conversation!
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Gymnast to D1 Pole Vaulter
- Kierstyn transitioned from gymnastics to pole vaulting in high school due to injuries.
- She competed in Division I at Baylor after training hard her senior year.
Mental Game of Pole Vaulting
- Pole vaulting requires fearlessness and full commitment due to its high-risk nature.
- The sport is more mental than people realize, needing aggressiveness to avoid mistakes.
Commit Fully in High-Risk Sports
- Commit 100% in pole vaulting using coaching cues like "attack" to maintain aggressiveness.
- Full commitment is critical because hesitation can cause serious injury or poor performance.
