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Bella provided an overview of the Quell Foundation, explaining that it is a national 501c3 organization founded in 2016 to reduce stigma surrounding mental health. She described how the foundation initially focused on supporting students through scholarships and later expanded into creating documentary films, with research showing that their screenings effectively reduce stigma and increase willingness to seek help. Bella noted that after working with first responders, they identified parallels between first responders and athletes regarding mental health barriers and stigma.

Bella discussed her involvement with the Quell Foundation, where she works on athlete mental health initiatives and supports student programming, including a new scholarship for students who lost a parent or guardian who was a first responder to suicide or in the line of duty. She shared that she was approached by Quell's founder Kevin Lynch in early 2025 to work on a documentary about athlete mental health set to release in November, which features various perspectives from the athlete ecosystem including collegiate athletes, retired professionals, Olympians, coaches, and clinicians. Isabella reflected that using her lived experience to support others has shown her where she thrives both professionally and personally, making this career path feel aligned with her purpose.

Tyler and Bella discussed Isabella's journey of sharing her mental health story publicly. Isabella explained that while she grew up in a supportive environment where mental health conversations were normal due to her parents' experiences with anxiety, college brought significant mental health struggles. She described how she initially found it difficult to speak about her experiences but gained empowerment by viewing it as an opportunity to help others, starting with public sharing during her sophomore year of college. Isabella shared that the more she talked about her experiences, the more connected she felt to herself and the easier it became to share her story, culminating in a conference appearance in Denver where she spoke on stage for the first time in front of a physical audience.

Tyler and Bella discussed Bella's journey with anxiety and softball. Bella shared that she was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder at age 11 and found softball to be a saving grace where she could be her authentic self. She described how her identity became heavily tied to softball, which later led to injury issues in high school when coaches prioritized her playing time over her physical health.

Bella shared her experience of struggling with depression during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly after losing her identity outside of softball when sports stopped. She described her difficult first semester at the University of Massachusetts Boston, where she was isolated in a dorm pod with limited access to campus services and support due to COVID restrictions and furloughed coaches. Bella explained that even when softball resumed in the spring, she was still struggling with the pandemic's effects and felt disconnected from both her team and the campus environment.

Bella discussed her journey through an identity crisis and how she founded a 501c4 organization called Let's Get Real About Athlete Mental Health in 2020 to create a platform for athletes to share self-authored stories about mental health. She explained how this initiative helped normalize conversations about mental health in sports and allowed her to heal while advocating for others. Bella noted that despite career-ending injuries, she was able to focus on her advocacy work and leave her university's athletic department with improved mental health competency.

Bella shared her experience working in mental health programming for student athletes and discussed the resource gaps at Division III schools compared to Division I and professional levels. When asked what changes she would wish for with a magic wand, Bella emphasized the need for smaller schools to have more resources for clinical mental health support and highlighted the importance of educating support staff and administrators about the difference between mental skills and mental health.

Bella and Tyler discussed the distinction between mental skills and clinical mental health support for athletes. Bella emphasized the importance of education for coaches and administrators about appropriate interventions for athlete mental health needs. They agreed that while current intentions are good, there is a need for better understanding of when to use mental performance coaching versus clinical mental health support. The conversation ended with Tyler asking about how coaches could create a supportive space for athletes, though this question was not fully addressed in the provided transcript segment.

Bella discussed the importance of coaches disclosing their own lived experiences to create comfortable environments for athletes to share theirs. She emphasized that vulnerability should be seen as an opportunity for connection rather than a weakness, and shared her approach to journaling without rigid rules. When asked for advice to her 16-year-old self, Bella recommended playing with joy and trusting that everything happens for a reason.

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Jeff discussed his background in military aviation and his current work helping teams debrief to improve performance. He explained that effective debriefing requires developing a habit of regular reflection, particularly in Western cultures where self-reflection can be challenging due to vulnerability concerns. Jeff outlined a five-step habit model (G-R-E-A-T) for debriefing, starting with gratitude to create a positive mental state, followed by reviewing goals, and then evaluating performance through specific questions about what was done.

Jeff presented a five-step debrief model focusing on what worked and what didn't work, emphasizing the importance of recognizing both successful and unsuccessful aspects to drive continuous improvement. He explained that the model helps teams develop a championship culture by identifying successful dynamics to repeat and learning from failures to improve over time. Tyler agreed with the approach and discussed the importance of creating a collaborative environment for debriefs, particularly in sports teams where coaches often struggle with accountability and responsibility.

Jeff discussed a 5-step quick model starting with why they are glad to be present, emphasizing the importance of developing a culture of continuous improvement through consistent practice rather than perfection. He explained how fighter pilots use visualization techniques, including chair flying, to prepare mentally for missions by envisioning every aspect of the mission from start to finish. Jeff stressed that the goal is excellence rather than perfection, and that visualization helps condition the mind to see what good performance looks like.

Jeff and Tyler discussed the concept of "chair flying" and its application beyond sports, including in personal and professional settings. They explored strategies for conducting productive debriefs, particularly when challenging conversations arise, with Jeff emphasizing the importance of starting with gratitude and self-identification of mistakes. Jeff outlined three key traits that distinguish good from bad debriefs: structure, appropriate length (five minutes), and regular, daily practice rather than only addressing failures.

Jeff shared his experience of his first combat mission in the northern Arabian Gulf during the initial ground waves into Iraq, where he provided close-air support to Marine Corps infantry units. He recalled the plane captain's words "This time it's for real" and the realization that years of training were about to be tested in a high-stakes environment. From this experience, Jeff developed his approach to helping teams debrief and improve, focusing on addressing the question of "what if I'm not good enough" in high-performance environments.

Jeff discussed the importance of reflection and adjustment in debriefing processes, emphasizing that experience alone doesn't lead to improvement without these steps. When asked about advice for his teenage self, Jeff suggested focusing on the idea that "it's all gonna work out" and recommended reading "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey.

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Tyler interviewed Ike Opara, a former professional soccer player and current coach, for the Elevate podcast. Ike shared his journey from starting soccer at age three to playing in the MLS and eventually transitioning to coaching. They discussed the importance of intentional coaching, reflective journaling for athletes and coaches, and the challenges of balancing results with process-oriented development in youth sports. Ike emphasized the value of individual freedom for players' development and stressed the significance of self-awareness and journaling for both players and coaches. They also touched on managing stress and off-field influences in sports and the importance of maintaining a love for the game. The conversation concluded with Ike advising his teenage self to focus on enjoying the sport rather than just pursuing professional goals.

Tyler interviewed Ike Opara for the Elevate podcast, discussing his soccer journey from starting at age 3 to playing professionally and then transitioning into coaching. Ike shared his background playing for various teams including San Jose Earthquakes, Kansas City, and Minnesota, before moving into coaching roles with Sporting Kansas City's second team and as interim head coach. He explained his recent transition to creating planners for coaches focused on intentional coaching and player development, driven by his desire to give back to the sport while balancing family life with young children.

Ike discussed the concept of intentional coaching, emphasizing the importance of deliberate actions and creating a positive environment for both coaches and players. He explained the benefits of reflective journaling for athletes, highlighting how it can help them process emotions, identify patterns, and maintain a growth mindset. Ike also shared insights from his experience as both a player and coach, stressing the need for athletes to focus on the process rather than just results to achieve long-term success and development.

Tyler and Ike discussed the importance of self-narrative and self-awareness in athletic performance. Ike explained how journaling can help athletes develop better self-awareness and objective evaluation of their performance, particularly in subjective team sports. Ike shared that his college coach Jay Vitovich at Wake Forest significantly influenced his development through intentional coaching that effectively challenged and built him up as a player.

Ike discussed the characteristics of best teammates at the professional level, emphasizing that self-driven accountability is crucial due to the focus on results and winning. He noted that coaches at that level typically don't have time for extensive development, making accountability from players essential. When asked about the transition from playing to coaching, Ike shared that he enjoyed coaching more than expected, particularly the development aspect, and found managing different player motivations challenging.

Ike shared his experience as an assistant coach with a second team focused on player development from ages 14 to 23. He noted that players on the team were motivated to improve and reach higher levels, which was an enjoyable experience for him. In discussing American soccer, Ike identified a need to balance coaching with individual player freedom, particularly in youth development, as he observed that current coaching systems focus too heavily on pattern play at the expense of players developing their own problem-solving skills.

Ike advised starting with simple daily journaling to build a sustainable habit, emphasizing the importance of reflecting on both on-field performance and personal life balance. He explained that journaling helps athletes and coaches see progress over time and understand how personal life affects performance on the field. The discussion touched on the challenges of navigating social aspects in competitive sports, particularly when moving from youth to collegiate levels, though the specific details about NIL and contract pressures were not fully completed in the transcript.

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Tyler interviewed Ralph Fawz, founder of TeleHope, a program that helps create connections between college athletes and high school students through interactive workshops focused on building confidence and community. Ralph shared his personal journey from being a college football punter at Wyoming to starting TeleHope after experiencing benching and observing team morale issues during the COVID pandemic. They discussed how vulnerability and going first are key barriers to making connections, particularly in athletic environments disrupted by transfer portals and COVID restrictions. Ralph explained how TeleHope has evolved from a mentorship program to workshops teaching confidence-building skills, and shared his personal story of finding hope through a shooting star experience that inspired the program's logo. The conversation concluded with both participants reflecting on their own athletic journeys and the importance of maintaining connections after competitive careers.

Tyler interviewed Ralph Fuaz for the Elevate podcast, discussing Ralph's journey from college football player to founder of TeleHope. Ralph shared his background as a former Division I punter at Wyoming who started TeleHope as a student-athlete mentorship program after being benched. He explained how the program evolved from matching student-athletes with local kids to conducting interactive workshops focused on building confidence and creating communities.

Tyler and Ralph discussed vulnerability and its role in building connections, particularly in mentorship programs. Ralph explained how TeleHope uses vulnerability to pair mentors with high school students, emphasizing that sharing imperfections helps create genuine connections. They also discussed the importance of having confidence in one's story and the concept of self-talk, with Ralph referencing a book called "Chatter" by Ethan Cross about how people should talk to themselves as they would talk to a friend.

Tyler and Ralph discussed their experiences as college athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ralph shared how the extended off-season at Wyoming allowed him and his teammates to form close bonds, despite the challenging conditions. He noted an interesting statistic about suicide rates during the early months of COVID, when people were forced to stay together. Tyler reflected on how his team's experience was different, with limited opportunities for connection beyond small groups. They agreed that the pandemic created significant barriers to creating meaningful human connection for college athletes, particularly for younger players who missed out on the typical freedoms and celebrations of college life.

Ralph discussed the challenges people face in building friendships, particularly men's reluctance to initiate connections due to fear of appearing imperfect or "soft." He shared an example from a workshop with engineers where he explained that reaching out to others is actually the tougher, more courageous action rather than withdrawing. Ralph emphasized that people often fail to recognize that those around them might understand their struggles better than therapists of a different generation, but they never give others a chance due to this fear of being the first to reach out.

Ralph shared the origin of the Tele Hope logo, explaining how a personal experience with a shooting star in the mountains became his symbol of hope. He described how the telescope in the logo represents how people can help each other find hope and support, rather than just telling others they matter. Ralph attributed his passion for the work to his faith and mentioned that seeing practical applications of their teachings, like when a student approached someone new at a workshop, brings him joy and drives his continued efforts.

Ralph and Tyler discussed the challenges of creating connectedness in sports, particularly with transient rosters due to the transfer portal. Ralph emphasized the importance of coaches empowering athletes to support each other and having difficult conversations about mental health. They also talked about their personal experiences with maintaining connections from college sports and the importance of finding hope during challenging times.

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Tyler welcomed Dr. Alex Reed to the Elevate podcast and asked about her background. Dr. Reed explained her work at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, where she teaches family physicians and OBGYN residents about behavioral health and primary care. She also discussed her Project Hair Care initiative, which educates barbers and stylists in the Black community about mental health. Additionally, Dr. Reed shared her roles as team psychologist for the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Rapids.

Alex discussed the importance of connection and relationships in team sports, emphasizing how culture and collaboration build team strength. He addressed mental wellness in young athletes, noting their tendency to be hard on themselves and the need to help them reframe negative thoughts using techniques like cognitive disputation. Alex suggested asking athletes what supportive advice they would give to a friend in similar situations as a way to help them manage their inner critics.

Alex discussed the importance of athletes engaging in activities outside their sports for mental recovery and relaxation. Tyler shared his personal experience with this and asked Alex about the benefits of meditation and breathing exercises for performance. Alex explained the 478 breath technique and described how it helps trigger the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and focus while preventing performance anxiety.

Alex and Tyler discussed the importance of maintaining fun and team chemistry in high-level sports, particularly during rigorous seasons. Alex shared examples of how coaches and teams incorporate fun elements, such as Coach Mike Malone throwing a football to players during practice, leaving unexpected items in players' lockers, or going on team outings. They emphasized how these activities help build team rapport and enhance performance.

Alex and Tyler discussed the importance of play in building relationships and its lasting impact on human biology. Alex shared an example from a sports team where players incorporated basketball into their soccer practice by kicking soccer balls into a basketball hoop from a distance, creating a fun competition that also built psychological flexibility. The conversation touched on how mental strength involves adapting to uncertain situations, which is a common experience for athletes.

Alex discussed applying improvisation theater techniques to various contexts, including teaching medical students and working with athletes. They outlined three key rules for improv exercises: having all necessary skills, viewing mistakes as opportunities for learning, and supporting teammates to make them look good. Alex used Nikola Jokic as an example of someone who effectively applies these principles in basketball.

Tyler and Alex discussed the importance of sleep and rest for athletes, with Alex sharing practical tips for creating a healthy sleep routine. They explored the concept of building authentic confidence through practice and embracing failure, with Alex introducing the "failure bow" technique inspired by circus performers. Alex also explained his Project Hair Care initiative, which provides mental health support and resources to barbers and stylists who often hear intimate client stories during haircuts.

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Dr. Bailey arrives in Oxford after three years with Vanderbilt athletics. Additionally, Dr. Bailey has spent the last two years with Expansive Insight, a private practice focused on a broad range of mental health counseling, intervention and psychotherapy measures.

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