Bridging the Gap: How Coaching Inspires Trust in Teens (with Anela Smith)
Introduction
Hey folks, Jesse LeBeau here.
I’m really excited about this conversation because I got to sit down with someone who I see changing lives up close every single week…
Anela Smith.
And I don’t say this lightly…
She is one of the best teen coaches I’ve ever seen.
Not just because of the results she gets (which are incredible)…
But because of how she shows up for teens.
She has this rare ability to make a young person feel:
Seen. Heard. Understood.
And if you’ve got a teenager, you already know…
That’s everything.
Why This Conversation Matters More Than Ever
There’s something I hear from parents all the time:
“My teen just won’t listen to me anymore.”
And it’s frustrating… because you care.
You’re trying to guide them.
Protect them.
Help them avoid mistakes.
But instead of leaning in… they pull away.
And what Anela and I talk about in this episode is why that happens.
Because most of the time…
It’s not that your teen doesn’t care.
It’s that they don’t feel understood.
The “Same Message, Different Messenger” Reality
This is something we see all the time inside our coaching program.
A parent says something 10 times… it doesn’t land.
A coach says the exact same thing once…
And it clicks.
Why?
Because teens don’t just need information.
They need connection without pressure.
That’s where Anela is so special.
She creates an environment where teens don’t feel judged, corrected, or lectured…
They feel safe.
And when a teen feels safe…
They open up.
What Makes Anela So Effective as a Coach
I’ve watched Anela work with teens from all different backgrounds…
And the results are consistent.
Confidence goes up.
Communication improves.
Decision-making gets better.
And it all starts with how she makes them feel.
She doesn’t try to “fix” them.
She listens.
She asks questions that actually make them think.
She gives them space to figure things out on their own.
And when a teen comes to their own conclusion…
That’s when real growth happens.
Confidence Isn’t Built the Way Most People Think
A lot of people think confidence comes from:
Winning. Achievements. Being the best
But what we’ve seen working with teens across the country is this:
Confidence is built through:
Small wins. Keeping promises to yourself. Learning from mistakes. Feeling like your voice matters.
That’s what Anela helps teens develop.
Not surface-level confidence…
But the kind that actually sticks.
The Role of Coaching (And Why It Works)
One of the biggest shifts for parents to understand is this:
Coaching isn’t about replacing the parent.
It’s about supporting the teen in a different way.
Think of it like this…
Parents provide love, structure, and values.
A coach provides perspective, reflection, and accountability.
And when those two things work together…
That’s when you start to see real transformation.
What I Respect Most About Anela
If I had to sum it up…
It’s her heart.
You can feel it the second you talk to her.
She genuinely cares about every single teen she works with.
She celebrates their wins.
She sits with them in the tough moments.
She doesn’t rush the process.
And because of that…
Teens trust her.
And when trust is there…
Growth follows.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a parent reading this…
And you’ve felt that gap with your teen…
Just know—you’re not alone.
This is one of the hardest seasons of parenting.
But it’s also one of the most important.
And sometimes…
The best thing you can do for your teen
Is give them another voice in their corner.
Someone who can meet them where they are…
And help them start to believe in themselves again.
That’s what Anela does every day.
And I’m really proud to have her leading our teen coaching at The Attitude Advantage.
⭐ RESOURCES:
🎬 IMDb Entry
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt39299582/?ref_=ttep_ep_1
📺 YouTube Full Video
https://youtu.be/VjZ2UuEZa0Ehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o0TPd3jgtk
🧠 TAAP Official Episode Page
https://theattitudeadvantage.com/all-posts/chris-staples-embracing-challenges-and-inspiring-future-generations-in-basketball/
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