The Mental Matchup

The Mental Matchup, Episode 9: Lauren Hickman (Part 1). 

 ⚠️ Trigger warning: Sensitive topics are discussed in this episode.

On this week’s episode of the Mental Matchup, we chat with former D1 lacrosse player Lauren Hickman. Lauren opens up about her experience with depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicidal ideation and explains the impact mental illness has had on her relationships, her athletic performance and her identity as a student-athlete. Diagnosed with chronic major depression, she also discusses her daily battle with negative thoughts and how she trains her brain to fight against cognitive distortions and focus instead on finding joy in every moment. Lauren hopes to use her story as a way to encourage student-athletes to initiate conversations about mental health, embrace being vulnerable and to feel comfortable enough to ask for help.

You can read more about our podcast at http://www.thementalmatchup.com or on Instagram @thementalmatchup. 

If you or someone you know needs help, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at tel: 800-273-TALK(8255).

The Mental Matchup, Episode 8: Mike Olim.

⚠️ Trigger warning: Sensitive topics are discussed in this episode.

On this week’s episode of the Mental Matchup, our co-host Schuyler interviews Mike Olim. Mike is the founder and Director of Operations at Advanced Physical & Technical Training, or AP2T. Mike has worked with athletes of all ages and levels, and is known for being able to get athletes to peak fitness while keeping them healthy. Mike has dealt with some mental health challenges himself, which has opened up his understanding of the mental health of his athletes. 

You can read more about our podcast at http://www.thementalmatchup.com or on Instagram @thementalmatchup.

If you or someone you know needs help, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at tel: 800-273-TALK(8255).

The Mental Matchup, Episode 7: Natalie Marsh.

⚠️ Trigger warning: Sensitive topics are discussed in this episode. This episode contains references to disordered eating and anxiety.

On this week’s episode of the Mental Matchup, our co-host Schuyler interviews collegiate runner Natalie Marsh. In addition to talking about Natalie’s career as a runner, she shares invaluable insights into her journey identifying anxiety and disordered eating. Natalie also shares her learned wisdom about bodily health as it responds to restricted eating.

You can read more about our podcast at http://www.thementalmatchup.com or on Instagram @thementalmatchup.

If you or someone you know needs help, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at tel: 800-273-TALK(8255).

The Mental Matchup, Episode 6: Morgan Gott.

⚠️ Trigger warning: Sensitive topics are discussed in this episode.

In our latest episode, now available on Spotify + Apple Podcasts, Kat and Schuyler interview Morgan Gott. They discuss depression, sexuality and Morgan’s personal experience in navigating her personal journey surrounding mental health. Morgan’s passion for destigmatizing mental health is beyond words and her vulnerability and courage in sharing her story is inspiration.

You can read more about our podcast at http://www.thementalmatchup.com or on Instagram @thementalmatchup.

If you or someone you know needs help, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at tel:800-273-TALK(8255)

In today’s episode, we talk with Imani Dorsey about her experience playing soccer at Duke and professionally with SkyBlue in the NWSL. We talk about the pressures of internal and external expectations, the grief associated with moving on from an important chapter of life, the things we get out of the sport, and so much more. We also talk about her involvement with the Black Women’s Player Collective in the NWSL and Athlete Ally in advocating for trans athlete rights.

We talk with Lynee about her experience with anxiety in high school, being a top-rated basketball recruit at Duke, both playing while at Duke and multiple injuries she faced, and her journey since. We discuss her depression and anxiety, her mental health journey, and where she is now. Self-harm is discussed in this episode.

Today's episode takes a deep dive in Schuyler's experience as a soccer player at Duke, then as a professional player at AC Sparta and the Reign FC. It is about the depression, anxiety, OCD, and suicidal ideation which ended her soccer career. But, it is also about her amazing support system, and how she is the happiest she has ever been on the other side of her mental health crisis.

On today’s episode Schuyler talks with fellow co-host Kat Zempolich. Kat is a co-host of the Mental Matchup Podcast, co-founder of Morgan’s Message, former D1 student-athlete and mental health advocate. On today’s episode we discuss depression, suicidal thoughts, disordered eating, insecurities and how it can seem like someone has it all together from the outside but there’s really a different narrative on the inside.

You can read more on Morgan’s Message at http://www.morgansmessage.org or on Instagram @MorgansMessage.

If you or someone you know needs help, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-TALK(8255).

Morgan Rodgers was a former Duke Lacrosse student-athlete. Morgan was a successful student in the classroom, she had a witty and creative sense of humor, an unmatched artistic talent and carried a fierce loyalty to friends, family and animals. From the outside it looked like she had it all.

In this 2-part episode, Dona And Kurt Rodgers tell Morgan’s story from their point of view. What they knew, what they didn’t know and what they have learned since losing Morgan to suicide in July 2019.

Morgan’s episode is split into two parts.

Part 1 centers around Morgan’s high school lacrosse success and her college recruiting process. Ultimately choosing Duke, she left Virginia to go to school in North Carolina. She enjoyed her classes, was the life of the party and was hell-bent on earning a starting position on the midfield line. Everything was aligning as planned until 10 days before the first game of her sophomore season she was sidelined with a devastating season-ending injury. After a year of rehab, still not cleared to play and with summer rapidly approaching, Morgan took a medical leave of absence to finish healing her body, coaching and spending time with her family. During this time, Kurt and Dona did not know what was going on with her emotionally. Morgan started isolating herself and was sharing less and less with her parents. Their relationship started to quiet. After taking a break from all the stress of the previous year, she seemed healthy, happy and ready to go back to Duke in the Fall of 2018 to get back on the path of which she had always dreamed.

Part 2 centers around Morgan’s return to campus in the Fall of 2018. She was medically cleared for play, more determined than ever and excited about the opportunity to work towards earning her spot on the field. This time the opponent she faced wasn’t physical – it was emotional and mental. Everything changed for her during this time. Dona and Kurt lead us through her last few months and explain the what, how and why Morgan’s Message was born.

You can read more on Morgan’s Message at www.morgansmessage.org or on Instagram @MorgansMessage.

Trigger Warning: Suicide is discussed in this episode.

If you or someone you know needs help, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-TALK(8255)