In this inaugural episode of Athlete Advantage, Sterling Sheffield shares his unfiltered journey through professional football, identity crisis, and depression, and how community saved his life.
After being cut by the Cincinnati Bengals, playing in the CFL and overseas, and losing 10 people in just 7 months, Sterling found himself in a deep depressive state. But here's what he discovered: athletes spend their entire lives working toward one championship. Once that's gone, we're lost.
You'll learn:
- Why 40% of athletes struggle with mental health issues
- Why 67% of ex-pro athletes report depression within 5 years of retirement
- Why 78% of athletes don't know who they are outside their sport
- How to find your "next championship" and rebuild your identity
- Why your community is everything when you're struggling
This is raw, real, and necessary. If you've ever felt lost after a major life chapter ended, or know an athlete who has, this episode is for you.
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