Everything Athletes: Mental Health

When I explained to my friend how I was feeling, she pointed me to the one & only ’s podcast.

In an episode where Victoria’s best friend interviews her, she talks about how talking to student-athletes and revisiting some of her harder life moments was starting to wear on her. She healed and wanted to start a new chapter of her life beyond her trauma.

I could not relate more.

Check out her podcast episode and listen to her whole conversation - link in bio.

When I saw Ryan’s book on Amazon, subtitled “Alcohol, Athletics and Love” I knew I had to buy a copy.

Ryan Stock is a former basketball player, coach, yogi, author and Founder of the MindSport app (soon to be renamed).

The work he is doing to support the wellbeing of athletes is incredible. It never ceases to amaze me how sharing your story can impact so many people.

Take a listen to our conversation on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Link in bio.

Stop by for a coffee and signed copy of my book!

I’m so grateful for all my readers and supporters on this journey 😇 ⭐️

Acworth Bookstore & Coffee Shop
Saturday 12/11 from 1-5 PM

LOVED this convo with Dr. Gunter.

It’s always refreshing to talk to someone who simply ‘gets it’. ⭐️

Take a listen and feel related to as an athlete on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Say it loud!! ⭐️

Stay tuned for a new podcast episode dropping tomorrow with !

New episode up!

Take a listen to Dr. Raidbard as he shares insights from his book on leadership and what coaches can do to proactively engage in athlete mental health.

Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify ✨

Eeeeek! Such a fun, proud moment for me.

Last week I spoke to retiring student-athletes at my alma mater, UNC, on how to navigate the transition into retirement.

Full video posted on YouTube & link in bio!

This was my first in-person event due to COVID so go easyyy on meeee 😉

Posting this knowing success is defined differently for every person ✨

In sports, success is based on wins and improvements.

Finish the race 2 seconds faster than last year. Place in the top 3. Win the title. Make the team. Win the gold. That is success.

These outcomes are largely driven by the work you put forth.

Attend every single practice. Strategize with your coach. Watch video of your competitors. Eat healthier. & more.

While there are certainly those talented individuals that can show up and still perform, most of us see a direct correlation between effort and success.

However, the retired athlete, adult, working world is DIFFERENT!

Success in our modern times is largely based on wealth.

Accept the $100k job or the $20k job? (My first ever job was $21k!) Which one would be seen as more “successful” to your family and friends?

Careers like law, medicine, business school have been coveted for years because of the projected earnings and prestige in those positions.

As a global culture, we place a lot of value on $$$ generation.

But there is less of a correlation between effort and success in the working world like there is in the sports world.

Maybe someone wins the lottery by a stroke of luck.

Maybe someone inherits the career position you interviewed for because they’re related to the CEO.

Maybe you’re the hardest worker ever to have lived but you’re in a career path where the pay doesn’t reflect effort? (Teachers should be paid so much more!!)

The scenarios and situations go on and it’s clear to see that the harder you work in your adulthood doesn’t always produce successful outcomes.

What do you think?

👀 2021 Holiday Gift Guide just dropped! 🎁 ❤️

Check out these amazing brands & how they support mental health.

All shopping links are at the link in bio!!

Wow! So cool to see.

Mind Sets, which debuted on Thursday, is the first time that the brand has overtly linked physical health to mental health.

Nike describes the platform as “a movement series designed for the mind … an uplifting program that focuses on how you feel, not what you achieve.”

Full article: https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/from-just-do-it-to-just-feel-it-nike-program-shifts-focus-to-mental-health/

How do some people naturally look at situations with a positive lens? With a glass-half full approach?
Is it natural or practiced?

Simply notice how you're responding to your environment to see if there is an opportunity to question your own interpretation and offer a different outlook.

Be your own emotional scientist!

Full article: https://news.sanfordhealth.org/behavioral-health/how-sanford-supports-athletes-mental-health/

Retiring from sports is one of the most emotionally vulnerable times for an athlete.

lack of purpose
confused identity
crash in endorphins/serotonin
void in external validation
self-worth struggles

We all go through these challenges to some degree when we hang up the cleats for good.

Education, awareness and mental & emotional practices can help build our resiliency during the ambiguity and come out even stronger on the other side of sports.

⭐️