In this episode of the True to Life Podcast, I’m joined by Ivy Watts, a former Division II All-American track and field athlete turned mental health speaker, for a grounded conversation on mental health in sport.

Ivy shares practical insight from her own experience navigating elite competition while struggling internally, and how she now helps student-athletes build healthier relationships with performance, pressure, and identity.

• Why mental health is essential to performance, not separate from it

• Common mental health challenges student-athletes face

• How to recognize the difference between discipline and burnout

• Why asking for help feels difficult in competitive environments

• Tools student-athletes can use to check in with themselves during the season

• How identity shifts when sport no longer defines you

• You don’t need to be at a breaking point to care for your mental health

• Your worth extends beyond results and stats

Ivy Watts is a former DII All-American and mental health speaker who works with athletes and organizations to reduce stigma and promote well-being.

Website: ivywattsspeaks.com
Instagram: @ivywattsspeaks
X: @IvyWattsSpeaks

Host: Nanik Tagore