Raising Resilient Athletes
From the Inside Out
Help your child build confidence, bounce back faster, and love the game again—without losing your cool.
You just want your kids to handle the hard stuff, believe in themselves, and enjoy the game.
You’ve done everything right—
the practices, the pep talks, the private coaches and snacks.
But somehow, you’re still wondering if you’re getting it right.
You’re not alone. And you’re not failing.
There’s an easy answer and it starts here.
Stop battling.
Start building.
Learn to recognize the small, daily moments that build the foundation for grit, confidence, and drive
—and help your athlete thrive.
Join Mary and Ryan LIVE
Be part of a small, interactive group for our founding pilot.
You’ll get hands-on coaching, live Q&A, and direct feedback on how to stay calm and lead with confidence.
This is where the Raising Resilient Athletes journey begins. Together.
LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE
Pressure is part of the game.
How you respond shapes who they become.
HANDLE THE HARD MOMENTS
Why is this so tough?
Strengthen your child’s grit, determination, and resilience by using small moments that build (or break) confidence—helping them grow stronger both in sports and beyond.
find the right words
What am I supposed to say?
Keep your athlete motivated and confident after tough games, pre-practice meltdowns, or even when they want to quit—by knowing exactly what to say (and what not to).
RAISE RESILIENT PLAYERS
Can I help them do better?
Build your child’s ability to handle pressure, recover from mistakes, and stay driven—with habits that turn frustration into growth and confidence that lasts.
About Ryan
Ryan Lavarnay knows through personal experience that real confidence isn’t built just through victories.
Ryan knows what it means to stay grounded when life throws curveballs. A World Series Champion, Olympian, and Yale alum, he built a 10-year Major League Baseball career through resilience and adaptability—being added to and removed from rosters more times than any player in MLB history.
Now, Ryan helps parents and teams lead through pressure with calm and clarity. His WHY NOT™ Framework translates elite-level resilience into practical tools for everyday life—showing that true confidence is earned through struggle, recovery, and trust in yourself. Ryan’s message: resilience isn’t built in wins—it’s built in how we respond to the hard moments.
One intentional moment about a time.
About Mary
Mary Willcox Smith knows what it’s like to raise resilient kids in a high-pressure world.
A former three-sport athlete at Bowdoin College as well as a mom of four daughters who played at the highest levels — from college teams to World Championships — she’s lived the early mornings, the car rides, and the emotional rollercoaster of youth sports. When the pressure started stealing their joy, she created the MicroStep Method® — a research-backed, real-life approach that helps parents turn stressful moments into stronger connections and more resilient kids.
An author, speaker, and certified life and parenting coach withMary continues to coach youth sports and families, helping parents move from reacting to responding — so they feel confident and grounded, and kids build grit, confidence, and a love for the game that lasts.
One intentional moment about a time.
Join Mary and Ryan LIVE
Complete the form below to confirm your spot in the first Raising Resilient Athletes group.
“
You don’t have to be ‘Parent of the Year.’
Just be ‘Master of the Moment.’
Small shifts add up, and trust me—
the long-term gains are real.
—Mary Willcox Smith
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