Identity of the Athlete: Mental Wellness Beyond the Game

"It was also some of the darkest times that I've experienced because of burnout and resentment toward my sport...I was loving life at Ohio State and also hating every morning diving into the pool."Katie opens up about the burnout and unhealthy relationship with sport, food, and her body that led her into a career as a dietitian.

“I started mourning basketball, probably when I was 14 or 15...when I started to realize I wasn't as good as I was before (the injury).  So I knew my career wasn't going where I thought it was much sooner than probably other people...so I've had many stages of mourning."  My big brother, Sam Kleber, discusses his intense focus on basketball, the injury that altered his career at a young age, and lessons on personal agency.

Former Illinois womens basketball player and current professional basketball player kicks off season 2, discussing the meaning and connection that sport gave her, and the growth that life challenges facilitated. 

Dele, a former Illinois football standout, speaks on his unorthodox high school experience, managing the emotional rollercoaster of college football, and struggling to find acceptance in the midst of disappointment.  

"This is what I'm supposed to do.  This is who I am.  And then everything of who I am is stripped away, and I just felt, like, bare."  Tiffany, a former Big Ten track athlete, speaks on her natural competitiveness, the impact of emotional closeness and support on achievement, and the pain of athletic identity loss.

"...my experiences...but if they're not good, I try to either change them or I just block them out and try to forget."  Lindsay Brown joins the podcast to discuss the stress of athletic uncertainty, the challenge of facing emotions, and the pressures of physical appearance for girls and women. 

"I stayed in my room for, like, weeks.  I was torn."  Former University of Illinois running back and current back in the CFL speaks on football's role in the early grief he experienced, the peace he found on the field, and his spiritual identity and meaning in the midst of his athletic journey. 

CJ Jackson, former University of Illinois, Hawaii Pacific, and professional basketball player shares the twists and turns of his athletic journey, the persistence to continue chasing his dream, and the challenges of grieving mistakes and failures. 

"Am I enough?...maybe the question that plagues everyone."  Trent Meacham, former Illinois Men's and professional basketball player joins the pod to talk about the impact of pressure and fear, and how one's thoughts and beliefs impact so much of who they are and how they live.  Trent also speaks on managing family and athletic relationships.

"Look baby, I'm Bubba Chisholm!"  A former high level cross country runner and basketball player, as well as one of the more beloved walk-ons to play for the University of Illinois, joins the podcast.  Bubba discusses his unpredictable relationship with the game of basketball, and its impact on his desire to understand people better and serve those around him. 

One of Peoria's finest!  Marcus Griffin, former University of Illinois and professional basketball player, chats about the necessity of basketball at a young age, his complicated relationship with it, and the dark days he faced after a heart issue ended his career.  

Former University of Illinois and professional basketball player joins the pod to discuss where the game took him, his view of himself, and learning to move on.  

Bruce Fields, former college and professional basketball player and now current college coach, sits down to talk about his story with the game and the role it has played in his life. 

Sports and mental health is an often discussed topic these days, so why not bring together individuals from both worlds to chat?  Former and current athletes of all levels and myself, a mental health professional, will sit down to discuss their athletic experience and its connection with mental and emotional well-being, namely, the topics of identity development and grief.  Let's hear some stories, y'all.