By Yadira (Sophie’s Mom)

I cannot express how much DROPBOMBS mental training has impacted my family. About a year ago to date, my daughter Sophie was pitching at Nationals and took a hard line drive to the head, our biggest fear. She was wearing a mask but bowed down as a result of the blow.

Everything changed after that. Sophie went into a depressive state: would have panic attacks every time she heard a ball hit the bat, would flinch at loud noises, had night terrors, stopped enjoying things she usually did. She just wasn’t the same girl that went out on the mound the day that happened. It got to the point she couldn’t make it through practice without breaking down. She went from the girl who loved and begged to pitch, to completely shutting down every time she saw her softball gear.

We tried everything: other mental training courses, online seminars, consulted with doctors, and even tried hypnotherapy. She was ready to call it quits. Honestly, I was too. My little girl was no longer the happy kid and it showed in every aspect of her life outside of softball. We paused and decided to take a step back and try a change of scenery.

We had participated in DROPBOMBS clinics in the past but the 4-hour round-trip commute had prevented us from committing to regular lessons with Lindsey. Due to circumstances, we decided to give it a try.

On the way to her first lesson, Sophie told me she was thinking about quitting. I asked if she really wanted to quit or if she was just afraid. She responded by telling me that the incident kept on playing in a loop in her head all day and she wanted it to be over. We both cried on that car ride to San Diego to that “first” lesson. A lesson I thought would also be the last for my baby.

We were blessed to have had an amazing first lesson that brought a little spark back to my girl. What resonated with her the most from that lesson was what she learned from Lindsey about the mental approach and asked if we could sign up for the Mental Training program, so we did.

Sophie began to listen to the audio recordings while doing homework, showering, during car rides to practice. The recordings eventually replaced her ASMR sounds during bedtime.

She started journaling about her feelings. She worked the training drills she received from Lindsey and would challenge herself in uncomfortable situations. After more than 7 months of not being able to pitch to a live batter, she told me she wanted to start trying again. So, we did.

I could see her using the breathing techniques she had learned as she threw each pitch. She was scared but was working herself through it. I couldn’t believe it; she was back on the mound!

It has been a few months now and Sophie still has a long way to go but I am so proud of her. I’m so grateful for this Mental Training program that has impacted her in more ways than I can attest to. I feel like I got my little girl back, my little warrior.

Recently on our drive back from a DROPBOMBS hitting clinic, Sophie told me that she’s glad she didn’t quit. That she has a feeling inside and believes she’s going to be a pitcher that also hits in college. You would have had to have been part of our journey to understand how much that meant coming from the girl who would flinch at the sound of a softball a few months ago.

I can’t recommend DROPBOMBS Mental Training program enough. My daughter listens to it religiously and it has made all the difference.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

DROPBOMBS Hitting provides the following resources to help you on your journey:

Mental Training Journal by Lindsey Gorman 

Mental Training ProgramMental Training Membership Information: Sign-Up

The DROPBOMBS Mental Training program is not a substitute for professional help.  The Audio recordings nor the Journal is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition or disease. Please seek help from a qualified healthcare provider.  If you want to harm yourself or others, reach out now.  24hr help is available.  Call 1-800-273-8255 or Text “home” to 741741