Kari Ehmer Speaking and Coaching

09/24/2026

Sometimes our kids think being nervous means they aren’t ready.

So we tell them, “Don’t be nervous!”

But what if they ARE nervous?

Instead of trying to take the feeling away, we can help them learn:

You can be nervous AND still be brave.

You can have butterflies and still walk through the door.
You can feel unsure and still raise your hand.
You can be scared to fail and still try.

That’s confidence. ❤️

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Nervous doesn’t mean STOP.

It doesn’t mean you aren’t ready.
It doesn’t mean you can’t do it.
And it definitely doesn’t mean you aren’t confident.

You can feel the butterflies.
Take the breath.
And do the thing anyway.

Nervous AND brave can exist at the same time.

Save this one for the next time your nerves get loud.

09/23/2026

09/23/2026

At the end of the season, what will tell you it was a successful one?

The wins?

The times?

The trophy?

Those things matter. But when I asked this group of competitive swimmers what they wanted to be able to say at the end of their season, one of their coaches said:

“We got better because we did it together.”

I LOVE that answer.

Because a great team isn’t only measured by what happens on the scoreboard.

It’s also built in the way athletes show up for each other. Who they include. Who they encourage. How they respond when a teammate is struggling. And whether they leave the season better because they were part of something together.

That’s the kind of team culture worth building.

If you have a team that could benefit from practical conversations around confidence, mindset, leadership and culture, send me a message. I’d love to hear about your athletes and talk about bringing a workshop to your team.

09/22/2026

09/22/2026

This is what confidence under pressure looks like.

The play changes in a split second.

She sees the runner bite.
She adjusts.
She commits.

No overthinking. No second guessing.

Confidence isn’t knowing exactly what’s going to happen.

It’s trusting yourself when it doesn’t.

See it. Trust it. Go. 🥎

09/21/2026

We all want our kids to be resilient.

But telling them to “try harder” isn’t what builds resilience.

Kids become stronger when they know they belong. When they have people they can turn to. When they learn what to do after a mistake, how to work through self-doubt, and how to ask for support when they need it.

These are skills we can teach.

In my middle school workshops, students don’t just hear me talk about confidence and resilience — they participate, connect, reflect, and discover what these ideas mean for them.

We work on:

✨ Building belonging
🛡️ Bouncing back from setbacks
🤝 Creating meaningful connections
🌱 Reframing thoughts that hold them back
💬 Knowing when and how to ask for support

Because the goal isn’t to create kids who never struggle.

It’s to help them know what to do when they do.

Stronger students help create stronger schools — and that’s something worth building together.

📩 Want to bring this conversation to your school? DM me WORKSHOP or visit kariehmer.com.

09/20/2026

What makes someone a great teammate?

It’s not just talent. And it’s definitely not a title.

Some of the strongest leaders on a team are the athletes who consistently show up, communicate with respect, take accountability, encourage others, and do what the team needs—even when nobody is watching.

Here’s a challenge for every student-athlete:

Before your next practice, ask yourself:

**“What does my team need from me today?”**

Maybe it’s energy.
Maybe it’s encouragement.
Maybe it’s accountability.
Maybe it’s simply doing your job well.

Leadership is built through choices like these.

**You don’t have to be the captain to lead.**

Tag a teammate who makes your team better. 💪

09/19/2026

“Just be confident.”

We say it because we want kids to believe in themselves.

But what if they don’t know how?

Confidence isn’t a personality trait some kids have and others don’t. It’s something they can build — one small, supported step at a time.

The next time a student says:

“I can’t do this.”
“I’m not good at this.”
“This is too hard.”

Instead of trying to convince them they CAN do it, try asking:

“What would make this feel 10% easier?”

Maybe it’s asking for help.

Maybe it’s breaking the task into a smaller step.

Maybe it’s taking a breath and trying one more time.

They don’t have to feel completely confident before they begin.

Sometimes taking that first manageable step is exactly what starts building the confidence they were waiting to feel.

One step is enough to start.

Save this one for the next time a student in your life needs a little help moving forward.

09/19/2026

Looking at this photo brings back a lot of memories—and an important lesson I still carry with me today:

I didn’t become confident first. I became willing first.

There were plenty of moments when I didn’t feel completely prepared or confident. But I learned that waiting until you feel 100% ready can keep you standing still.

Sometimes growth starts with being willing.

Willing to try.
Willing to be uncomfortable.
Willing to make the decision.
Willing to make a mistake and learn from it.
Willing to take the next step before you know exactly where it will lead.

That lesson has stayed with me, and it’s one I now bring into my work with students, student-athletes and young leaders.

We often think confidence comes first and action follows.

But sometimes it works the other way around.

Take the step. Build the evidence. Let confidence grow from there.

Parents and coaches: What’s one way you help young people take action even when they don’t feel completely confident?

09/19/2026

Thank you Coach Shannon and Utah Swimming for having me talk to your swimmers today! What a great group of athletes with big hearts and big dreams. So thankful to be a small part of your adventure