July 15, 2025

Masculinity, Coaching & Mental Health: A Candid Talk with Tim Racki

49 minutes

In this powerful episode of Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads, championship football coach Tim Racki opens up about his personal journey through mental health struggles, burnout, identity, and self-reflection. With humor, honesty, and heart, Tim shares how success on the outside can mask deep internal battles—and how he's rewriting his life's playbook.

We’re honored to be the 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner for Health, the 2024 Women In Podcasting Award Winner for Best Mental Health Podcast, and proud to have reached over 1.8 million downloads globally.

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Mental Health Quote from the Episode

“You can be confident without being a bragging asshole. I just started practicing what I preach—and it’s changing everything.” — Tim Racki

Episode Description

This candid conversation with Tim Racki—a 10× State Champion Coach and Hall of Famer—unpacks the emotional toll of leadership and the silence behind success. Despite public accolades, Tim reveals how coaching masked internal turmoil, how performance identity shaped his personal life, and why he finally made the decision to care for his mental health.

He talks about the moment of clarity that sparked change, the deep shame he felt, and how daily habits are helping him rebuild trust in himself and reconnect with his family. Tim’s story is a roadmap for any man struggling with unspoken emotions or feeling trapped by expectations.

SEO Keywords: masculinity and mental health, coaching and burnout, men’s mental wellness, mental health in sports, emotional resilience, athlete identity crisis, performance anxiety, leadership and therapy, mental health for men, fatherhood and vulnerability

Meet Our Guest: Tim Racki

Tim Racki – 10× State Champion Coach | Hall of Famer | Mental Resilience Advocate

Tim Racki is one of the most accomplished high school football coaches in the United States. Over a 26-year head coaching career, he's secured 10 Illinois state titles, made 12 state title appearances, and built powerhouse programs with lasting legacies. Beyond wins, Tim is known for his integrity, mentorship, and transformational leadership.

But behind the accolades is a deeply human story of depression, identity crisis, and the struggle to balance coaching with fatherhood and marriage. Today, Tim speaks openly about mental health in leadership and the importance of vulnerability, reflection, and small daily changes.

Connect with Tim Racki:

Twitter: https://x.com/CoachRacki

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576018534735

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@coachracki

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachracki/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-racki-a43294a/

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/coachracki

Key Takeaways

Even championship leaders can feel lost—success doesn’t equal peace.

Vulnerability and presence are more powerful than titles.

Mental health for men is overdue for normalization, especially in coaching culture.

Actionable Items

Start each day with one intentional change that prioritizes your mental wellness.

Reflect on how you're showing up at home, not just at work or in your leadership role.

Listen to your own advice. If you support others, offer that same compassion to yourself.

Chapter Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome + Football roots & identity

04:00 – Childhood, coaching influences, and early trauma

08:00 – Playing through pain & performance anxiety

13:00 – Standing up to bullies & leadership lessons

18:00 – Coaching wins vs. personal losses

20:00 – The epiphany moment: March madness and a friend’s confession

24:00 – Shame, presence, and learning to be a better husband and father

30:00 – Small habits that sparked massive change

34:00 – Applying the coaching playbook to his own life

38:00 – Advice for other men and coaches facing mental health challenges

42:00 – Listener questions: self-care, balance, and theme songs

46:00 – How to connect with Tim Racki

#MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #MensMentalHealth #TimRacki #Grex #DirtySkittles

#LeadershipAndMentalHealth #AthleteWellness #BurnoutRecovery #FatherhoodAndHealing #TherapyForMen #FootballAndMentalHealth #CoachTalk #VulnerabilityIsStrength

#PodcastAwardWinner #SelfCareForCoaches #EmotionalResilience #ImposterSyndrome

#ToughConversations

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If You Need Support, Reach Out

If you or someone you know is facing mental health challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. Remember, it’s OK not to be OK—talking to someone can make all the difference.

United States: Call or Text 988 — 988lifeline.org
Canada: Call or Text 988 — 988.ca
Worldwide: Find a Helpline
Mental Health Resources and Tools: The Help Hub

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By G-Rex and Dirty Skittles, Bleav

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