Startline

This is a reminder that allowing disappointment in accomplishes absolutely NOTHING. 
We should never let disappointment win. It’s a battle we can always win. 
Preventing the poison of disappointment into our runs and relationships is 100% preventable and controllable. 
Happy to be listening and learning? Want to keep me motivated? You can ⁠⁠⁠buy me a matcha or a chai latte by dropping some coin here⁠⁠⁠ (hit the donate button right there on the homepage).
Learn pet first aid &amp; CPR - use discount code "startline" for 20% off and learn how to save your dog (or cat) NOW!


Episode 51 - Never Let Disappointment in and Never Let It Win

I&#39;m known to have EVERYTHING a person could need when away from home, even probably more than most people have in their home but I carry it in a convenient tool bag. From safety pins and measuring tape to pain relievers and stomach soothers, I am known as CVS - Cara&#39;s Variety Service.
While I might be a handy individual to have at the agility trial, there is nothing stopping you from being this prepared. I review what&#39;s in my bag, provide a list, go over what I have in my car and a few things in my home that have made living with dogs easier (and cleaner).
After I finished recording I saw plenty more items to mention but just figured I will have to do a V2 of this episode. 
Below are the links to some of the products I recommend. Full disclosure, only the rug link and Cody&#39;s Creations do I get credit for, both awesome companies give me a discount when I buy from them again. I might be all set on rugs for now, but I can always use another collar! 
Don&#39;t need a new rug or collar but still want to keep me going? Consider giving a little here startlinepod.com - just hit the donate button top left. 
Links
Not the exact bag but a similar one, same size 
Cleaner I love 
Tumble Rugs - washable rugs I love get $40 off with that link
Xtreme Stitch - incredible agility leash/collar combos 
Cody&#39;s Creations - amazing collars, leashes and more! Get 15% off with discount code &quot;startline&quot;
Cat and Dog First Aid &amp; CPR  - use discount code &quot;startline&quot; for 20% off and learn how to save your dog (or cat) NOW! 



Episode 50 - Agility Trial Supplies 

I&#39;ve been watching friends and good handlers crumble under the pressure of trying to qualify for the 2024 AKC Agility Invitationals. While I know how to comfort them and buy them a drink, I needed to lean on the expert Julie Bacon, AKA The Q Coach to help teach us all how to get a grip on the mindset that is melting our agility skills. 
Julie as always gives us helpful hints, tools and processes to get out of our head and get in the game. Or for some, to let go of the pressure and just have fun, that is what we signed up for in the first place isn&#39;t it?
Listen for some strategies on how you can improve your mindset, which ultimately enhances your team&#39;s success when trying to reach that goal of qualifying for a big event like Invitationals, Nationals or even Westminster. 
Happy to be listening and learning? Want to keep me motivated? You can ⁠⁠⁠buy me a matcha or a chai latte by dropping some coin here⁠⁠⁠ (hit the donate button right there on the homepage).


Episode 49 - Mindset Strategies for Qualifying for Big Events

When Julie Bacon from The Q Coach reached out to me to record an episode on the grief we both recently experienced we talked off-air after the episode about life and such. She asked how I was doing and I said I was stuck in inaction, and in that moment I realized I just inadvertently asked for help from the best person to offer it. 
While my grief certainly didn&#39;t help matters, I was trapped in the frozen tundra of my mind for quite some time. I have been performing to standards, I have remained organized and task-oriented but I have not been growing. I have been slacking on my passion projects, the big one being this podcast!
So Julie did what she does best, she snapped me into action! Here I am with another podcast out and a rejuvenated sense of my why&#39;s and how to start getting what I want to get done, not what just needs to get done.
I get a bit vulnerable and sound a bit scattered but I&#39;m guessing some of you can relate. Learn what advice Julie gives me to get out of my head and get going.
Happy to have me back, want to keep me motivated? You can buy me a matcha or a chai latte by dropping some coin here (hit the donate button right there on the homepage).
If you want support like I received, check out Julie&#39;s Q-membership! 



Episode 45 - Trapped in Inaction 

I started compiling a list on my phone of what could make trials better for you as the exhibitor and me as an exhibitor. While these are specific to AKC agility, much of this information can apply to all organizations. 

Keep these tips in mind to help make your experience be the best. We all were beginners once, we are all on our own journey but for this to work, we all have to participate in the community. Protect yourself and be part of something, you can do both.


Episode 42 - Avoiding Trial Tribulations

I struggled to develop a title for this episode because it covers SO MUCH! Julie Bacon of The Q Coach and I discuss the importance of our mindset for the human and the dog parts of our team, but then we cover so much more! 
We discuss the difference between outcome goals and process goals, what we can control, and what it takes to get there. We offer tons of tidbits to staying organized, saving brain power for where you need it the most (the ring) and even more ways you can help reduce the stress in your dog&#39;s agility journey. 
For a deeper dive into the wonderful concepts Julie shares about our mindset to help us Q more, check out her podcast, Mindset Coaching for Handlers. It was recommended to me by a couple of agility exhibitors and I found it so fascinating that I went right to the creator to bring it to more people. 


Episode 37 - Why Mindset Matters 

Have fun playing your favorite game in a new place! Michele and Cara share a bunch of tips on how you can travel safely to agility trials outside of your home-turf.&nbsp;


Episode 30 - Traveling 

Michele and I dive anecdotally deep into trial stress. It's been one of our biggest challenges and we are quasi-experts in the field at this point.
From stressing up to stressing down, our dogs have displayed it all but certainly not in all the ways it can be displayed. We encourage you to step back and look at your runs objectively. Is your dog happy? Are you finding yourself having to cheerlead and by the end of the run exhausted that you had to coax your dog along with promises of sweet nothings if they did one more obstacle?
Stress is real and sometimes it can be really fun. It also can be really depressing. Learn about what we went through, ask yourself is your dog performing under stress? Chances are the answer is yes, which may in fact be fine. It may also mean you have some work to do either on your own mental game or theirs.&nbsp;


Episode 14 - Stress

We go through the process of how to enter a trial. We may also plea for online entries, listen and enjoy our conversation!&nbsp;
