And we're back! Today’s episode features a candid conversation with Cassidy Lichtman, a former Team USA Volleyball player who really is the definition of Mind over Matter. At age 9, she was told she’d never walk again due to a chronic pain disorder in her lower leg. But guess what? She did NOT take no for an answer... and rose above it all to compete at the highest level in her sport.  

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P/ATH Nonprofit: PathSports.org

Cassidy Lichtman: @CassidyLichtman

AAAAND we're back with another episode of SAD JOCKS after a lil summertime hiatus 🌞This week’s guest is Jalen Moore - a basketball player who was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2017, but opted to take a break after a series of anxiety attacks forced him to slow down and look inward.

Jalen and I discuss anxiety, the truly unnatural experience of flying in airplanes (especially with turbulence!!), basketball, and more. If you haven’t already done so, please stow your carry-on luggage underneath the seat in front of you or in an overhead bin, and make sure your seat back and folding trays are in their full upright position 😜ALL CLEAR for take-off!!! 

Jalen's Player's Tribune article:

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/jalen-moore-mental-health

Remember how I said I'd be chatting with comedians on this pod?! Welp, this episode features Cara Connors - an athlete, comedian, writer, and - in case you were wondering - TAURUS ;) Cara is a regular on E's "Dating: No Filter" (now on Hulu!) and is the creator/star of "Cara Takes Up Space" for Out TV. In addition to some classic banter - we get into her history with water polo, her journey into comedy, and all things Attachment Theory. 

Grab your weighted blankets and and pour some turmeric ginger tea for this one folks... we're gettin cozy & holding some damn space 😘

Imani McGee-Stafford is a WNBA player, abuse survivor, mental health advocate, and poet. Oh! And future LAWYER. What can’t she do?! Imani’s story is inspiring - she graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in accounting and became the first UT women’s basketball player to clock over 1000 points, 1000 rebounds and 200 blocks. But the biggest impact she left was off the court when she chose to speak out about her struggles with mental health and overcoming her abusive childhood. She now takes every opportunity - including this random podcast (JK, hopefully not random for long!) - to help those who have gone through similar struggles.

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Resources Discussed:

The Trevor Project

The Buddy Project

To Write Love on Her Arms

Bell Hooks: Communion and All About Love

This week I'm talkin' all things anxiety with Connor Perry, an outfielder and power hitter for the Detroit Tigers Organization. Little does he know (well now he knows) Connor was actually the impetus behind this very podcast! After stumbling across an article I wrote back in 2015 about Zoloft, Connor reached out to me in January and - long story short - we quickly became virtual pen pals. In this episode, we discuss anxiety, the stigma surrounding medication, and the many faces of unhealed trauma. Connor also discusses his tips & tricks for dealing with panic attacks... and then we geek out for a lil' bit about depersonalization. Take me to your leader!!! 👽

The very first episode of SAD JOCKS tackles depression, season-ending injuries, and how to manage your mental health in the midst of a global pandemic AND a social revolution. A lot, right? This week I sit down with Festus Ezeli, a pro basketball player who won a championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2015. Following an injury in 2017, Festus started a movement called Rebuilding the Beast to amplify stories of perseverance and overcoming adversity. I also talk about that one time I fainted on an airplane after having too many Sour Patch Kids™️. Hey, we've all got struggles, right?