The Mental Matchup

In this week's episode, Kat chats with Michelle Deutsch, a former collegiate ice hockey player turned semi-pro powerlifter, who opens up about her incredible journey of resilience and healing. We discuss her experience with body dysmorphia and depression to surviving sexual assault, Michelle's story is one of strength and determination. She shares how a strong support system helped her through difficult times and how her experiences shaped her path toward pursuing a career in criminal prosecution, with a focus on advocating for survivors.

In the episode we discuss:

- How she navigated the trauma of sexual assault

- The challenges and triumphs of playing ice hockey at the collegiate level

- Michelle's personal battle with mental health and how she manages it

- The crucial role her support system played in her journey

- Her current goals, including law school and advocacy work for survivors of abuse and individuals with disabilities.

You can read more about Michelle's experience here
Learn more about Morgan’s Message here
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CW: body dysmorphia, sexual assault, depression

In this episode, we dive deep into the power of identity with transformational coach, Cate Wilkes. Cate shares her personal journey of success, stress, and self-discovery, unpacking the pivotal moments that led her to redefine her identity beyond her professional achievements. Cate emphasizes that our value is not in what we accomplish but in the essence of who we are. She discusses the importance of holistic mental wellness, explaining that our mental, emotional, and spiritual health are all interconnected. Cate's story of stepping off the corporate hamster wheel and into a more fulfilling life serves as a powerful reminder that we all have intrinsic worth, no matter where we are on our journey.

Topics Discussed:

- The power of identity: How our identity influences how we show up in the world and the importance of anchoring it in who we are, not what we do.

- The Law of Vibration: How understanding and applying this law can elevate your mindset and your life.

- Mindset Matters: Setting yourself up for success by embracing both the challenges and opportunities that come with change.

- Comparison: How comparing ourselves to others negatively impacts our sense of self-worth and how to break free from that cycle.

Connect with Cate here!

#143 - In this episode, I'm excited to sit down with Kyra Schwartzman, current Women's Lacrosse Assistant Coach at Colby College. We chat about her unique journey from playing at Wheaton College to coaching at Colby College, her impactful role as Director of the Girls High School Program at 3D Lacrosse, and even her time working in health care before returning to the sport she's passionate about.

Kyra opens up about her approach to fostering trust and strong connections with her players, shares insights into the recruiting process, and reflects on her personal path back to lacrosse after a career in health care.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Kyra’s Introduction to Lacrosse

- How Kyra was introduced to lacrosse and what sparked her passion for the sport.

- Her journey from playing at Wheaton College to coaching at the collegiate level.

2. Guiding Student-Athletes Through the Recruiting Process

- What Kyra encourages her athletes to think about when exploring potential colleges and programs.

- The key factors players should focus on during recruiting visits and decision-making.

3. From Health Care to Lacrosse: Kyra’s Journey Back to Coaching

- Kyra’s time working in health care and how it shaped her perspective.

- The pivotal moment that led her back to lacrosse and how her experiences outside of the sport have influenced her coaching style.

4. Building Trust with Players as a Coach

- Kyra’s philosophy on creating a supportive and trust-driven team environment.

- The importance of communication, vulnerability, and understanding each player’s unique needs.

Learn more about Morgan's Message here
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In this episode, Anthony Faraino shares a powerful journey of breaking the stigma surrounding mental health, especially for student-athletes. With a background in collegiate lacrosse and a career in finance, Anthony felt a strong pull toward supporting the mental well-being of athletes, leading to the founding of Mindflow, a mental health platform with a mission aligned with Morgan's Message.

In the episode we discuss:

Breaking the Stigma: Anthony emphasizes the importance of normalizing conversations around mental health, particularly for male student-athletes who often face added pressure to appear emotionally "strong."

Therapeutic Services: A candid discussion about the value of therapeutic services, and how athletes can benefit from seeking help without feeling shame or embarrassment.

Growing Up in Birmingham: Anthony shares memories of growing up in Birmingham, Alabama, and his love for sports, from basketball to lacrosse, which ultimately led to a collegiate career at the University of Richmond.

Mindflow's Mission: Learn about the mission of Mindflow—a platform designed to support athletes’ mental health and foster a community where they can thrive both on and off the field.

Learn more about Mindflow here
Connect with Anthony here
Learn more about Morgan's Message here

In today’s episode, Kat chats with Nadine Crocker, an award-winning Director, Writer, Actress, and Producer, known for her impactful storytelling. Born in Nashville and raised in Fresno, Nadine moved to Los Angeles at 16 to pursue her passion for creating art that changes lives. 

We discuss her deeply personal film, Continue, which is based on her own survival of a suicide attempt and will be released in theaters on September 6th, 2024, for World Suicide Prevention Month. The film has garnered multiple awards, including "Best Director" at various festivals, and is the cornerstone of her nonprofit, "Continue On," focused on mental health and suicide prevention.

Nadine opens up about her struggles with mental health, which began at a young age and culminated in a suicide attempt at 23, followed by years of self-harm before finding a path to healing. This experience became the foundation of Continue, where she relives her story through acting, directing, and producing—a profoundly emotional process, especially when faced with industry feedback that mental health is a topic "no one wants to talk about." During the episode, Nadine discusses her mental health journey, how she’s used her struggles to move forward with gratitude, the lack of understanding around mental health during her upbringing, how the film has changed her life, her discovery of a passion for directing, and the challenges she faced in creating this movie. Ultimately, she hopes to help push the mental health movement forward. This episode is an incredibly raw discussion on mental health and is a must-listen.

You can find Nadine on Instagram here

You can learn more about Continue here

Content Warning: Suicide, Suicidal Ideation, Self Harm, Substance Abuse, Abuse, Disordered Eating

Welcome to the final episode of our miniseries on mental health support systems! In this special episode, Ashton Miller joins TMM. Ashton and Schuyler met as freshmen on the Duke Soccer Team, and have been best friends since. Ashton now influences soccer culture as a photographer, creative director, and co-founder of The Footy Temple. She studied psychology and grew up in a family of professional athletes who shaped her understanding of mental health and toughness from a young age. We explore how Ashton adapts her support based on Scuyler’s different mental health chapters and the importance of recognizing that not everyone can be the main support for others. This conversation offers valuable insights for supporting the people closest to you. We hope you enjoy our last episode of the miniseries!

Listen to Schuyler's episode here!
Learn more about Morgan's Message here

This miniseries episode highlights how siblings can support each other’s mental health. Imani, Nia, and Trinity Dorsey all join Schuyler on the podcast to talk about how they show up for each other (@imdorsey @niamdorsey @trinmdorsey). The Dorsey sisters all are incredible soccer players and humans. In this episode, they share lots of valuable insights into how their parents founded their support system, how soccer intersects with their mental health, and the ways they aim to keep sport and sibling connection largely separate. At the same time, their mutual connection and respect through soccer is undeniable, and it’s clear how they inspire each other through action to prioritize their mental health. I (Schuyler) had so much fun feeling like a 4th Dorsey sister during this recording. I hope how they support each other inspires you to support a loved one in your life in a similar or different way that works for you!

Listen to Imani's episode here
Learn more about Morgan's Message here

In this episode, TJ Pura, a former captain of the Duke Men’s Tennis Team, joins our TMM Second Hand Stories miniseries. After a stint as a pro player, TJ found his passion in coaching, mentoring ATP player Tommy Paul and returning to Duke as the first assistant coach. Now living in Durham, NC with his fiancée, 2x Olympian Maddy Price, TJ discusses how he supports her journey as a professional track athlete and their mental habits. He shares how losing his father at a young age shaped his connection with Maddy and his growth from toughness to embracing vulnerability in his relationships. We also explore the importance of communication and self-care. TJ is a fantastic partner, coach, and teammate, and we're grateful to call him a friend of Morgan's Message!

Listen to Maddy's episode here!
Learn more about Morgan's Message here

In today’s episode, Schuyler speaks with Traci Pizzano, mother of three, including Dario Pizzano from Episode 85. Traci, a Multiple Sclerosis (MS) warrior, inspired Dario to create Mission Stadiums for MS, a nonprofit supporting MS research and families affected by the condition.

Throughout the episode, Schuyler and Traci discuss key moments in Dario’s mental health journey and how Traci supported him through similar struggles, including panic attacks. Dario’s mental health challenges following retirement from professional baseball helped him understand other peoples’ mental health states better, which increased communication about mental health within his family, who are some of his most important supporters. We also explore the difficulties parents face when a child's identity is tied to sports, and Traci reflects on how she had not expected the challenges Dario faced after retirement. This is a great episode for all parents who want to support their kids’ mental health, but there are gems here for everyone!

You can listen to Dario's episode here!
Learn more about Morgan's Message here

Sarah Kovan, MD, is a psychiatry resident at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, specializing in the treatment of individuals with complex behavioral health needs within publicly supported healthcare systems. She has been honored with the U.S. Public Health Service Excellence in Public Health Award and studied at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. Additionally, Sarah was a collegiate athlete at Michigan State University, where she co-captained the Women's Soccer Team. During the episode, we cover lots of topics central to supporting others’ mental health from Sarah’s professional perspective, including the value of asking people what they need, how to approach someone who is resistant to care, and build community within sport. This episode is the foundation for the rest of the other episodes in the miniseries, thanks to Sarah’s expertise.