Children can be such a joy, and with all good things, they come with plenty of challenges. Some parents find that how they respond when their child is having a meltdown is a Moment of Impact. Others rely on an Alter Ego during teachable moments and difficult conversations.

When money is tight, it may be time for an Alter Ego to step in. They can help manage budgets, deciding whether or not an item should be purchased, talk through financial decisions and investments, pay bills, find more ways to make money, etc.

While the loss of a job can lead to financial stress, that’s often just the tip of the iceberg. Calling on an Alter Ego may help with tough moments, like filing for unemployment, applying to new positions, altering a personal budget, attending networking events, asking for help, and more.

Life’s big transitions can be disorienting, and this means they’re a perfect time for an Alter Ego who thrives in uncertain situations to step in to help out. This can include transitions like moving, new relationships, becoming a parent, entering a new phase of life, breakups and separations, new jobs, major changes in health, retirement, empty nesting, and more.

No matter how solid the relationship, it can be helpful to have an Alter Ego waiting in the wings to help with tough moments between partners. This can include arguments, reduced intimacy, transitions, breaches of trust, long-distance relationships, income discrepancies, mismatched priorities, and others.

Regardless of your level of success, comparisonitis can strike anyone. When impostor syndrome rears its head, it’s time to call on an Alter Ego who can rebuild confidence and belief — even when faced with social media brag-fests, high-performing colleagues, seemingly perfect parents, or other triggers.

In the wake of grief, numbness, anger, overwhelm, burnout, fear, self-criticism, or frustration, an Alter Ego can help navigate periods of emotional stress and reestablish a sense of balance and serenity.

Some find it helpful to turn to an Alter Ego when attempting to improve their health. This can include physical health (illness, injury, weakness, chronic disease, etc.) or mental health (anxiety, depression, eating disorders, etc.).

Life is a series of decisions, but some decisions have a massive impact on the course of one’s life. In these situations, an Alter Ego can help make a decision that feels right.

Spirituality plays a major role in some people’s lives. In crises or difficult times—or in a period of spiritual exploration, an Alter Ego can help maintain a grounding in one’s belief system.

From playoff games and championships to tournaments and matches against rival teams or players, some playing environments are intrinsically more challenging than others. High expectations are placed on athletes and coaches to perform at their highest level, and this can require an Alter Ego to show up in full force during important plays and scoring opportunities.

It’s an unfortunate reality that players sometimes suffer injuries, Illness, or exhaustion that keeps them from performing at their peak level. When these situations arise, they often add to an athlete’s stress. By stepping into an Alter Ego, an athlete can activate the healing powers of a superhero alter ego, find another gear and push past mental limits on your physical capabilities, move into ‘super-rest and super-recovery’ mode so you can get back to peak health.

Not all playing environments are ideal for athletes. For instance, there may be slippery and wet surfaces, extremely hot or cold temperatures, strong winds, or low sun. Additionally, facilities may be subpar, noisy, or cramped. In difficult playing conditions, calling on an Alter Ego may help an athlete succeed.

When athletes play before spectators, social pressure can set in. A crowd of cheering, booing, noisy fans—plus announcers detailing every move and even televised audiences—can cause a high level of stress for players. Alter Egos may help them tune out the noise and social pressure and focus on the Field of Play.

Regardless of sponsorships, salaries, or bonuses, athletes may feel financial pressure at times in their career. The cost of coaching, equipment, travel, and other expenses can weigh heavily on sports figures. Alter Egos can help them navigate significant expenses and financial pressures with as much finesse as they demonstrate while competing.

Distractions can come in many forms for athletes, as well as other high-performers. These can include physical distractions (uncomfortable uniform, equipment in need of repairs, weather, injury, spectators, etc.) and emotional distractions (grief, anger, shock, frustration, etc.). By tapping into an Alter Ego, athletes can regain their focus

From memorizing plays to studying an opponent, many athletes must maintain complex strategies in their memory. This can be a time for an analytical or detail-oriented Alter Ego to support this process.

Athletes experience a number of public interactions in which an Alter Ego can be useful, including interviews, fan interactions, press opportunities, charity work, school visits, and speaking engagements.

Moments of collaboration and teamwork are a given for many sports, before, during, and after the game. During the times when teammates need leadership and focus, an Alter Ego can help players show up as a dependable asset to the team

Often, solo athletes, such as rock climbers, surfers, cyclists, or distance runners, find themselves in positions where they must persevere in spite of extreme odds — and unlike those in team sports, they must do so alone. An Alter Ego will help them move forward and maintain focus, even when exhaustion sets in.