The Mental Matchup

In this episode, Kat sits down with Capri Richardson, the founder of First Contact Athletic Counseling, PLLC, and a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate based in Austin, TX. Capri brings a unique perspective to mental health in sports, combining her experience as a former Division I athlete and professional volleyball player with her expertise in counseling. Capri shares her journey through athletics, from growing up in a military family and being recruited to the University of Montana, where she became the first African-American player on their Women’s Volleyball Team, to playing professionally in Europe.

Capri’s passion for mental health advocacy emerged through her athletic journey and experiences abroad. Now in private practice, she focuses on providing athletes, coaches, and their families with support that nurtures their inner selves and fosters holistic well-being. Capri discusses the systemic challenges in sports, especially for female and minority athletes, and how she empowers her clients to develop coping skills, process trauma, and prioritize mental health.

Get in touch with Capri here
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In this episode, Kat sits down with Camryn Whipple, a recent graduate of Slippery Rock University and former lacrosse player, to explore her athletic journey and her growing awareness of mental health. Camryn shares her early experiences in sports, from her first love of soccer to her spontaneous decision to try lacrosse in elementary school, and why she ultimately chose to pursue lacrosse in high school, leaving soccer and basketball behind. She opens up about the impact of COVID-19 on her senior year of high school and freshman year of college, and how the pandemic influenced her mental health. We also dive into her collegiate team’s open culture around mental health and how she’s now focusing on new passions as she transitions away from competitive athletics.

In this episode, we discuss:

Camryn’s journey from soccer to lacrosse and the decision to focus on lacrosse

The recruiting process and why she chose Slippery Rock

The impact of COVID-19 on her athletic and mental health during her transition to college

How her college team created a supportive environment for mental health discussions

Her ongoing transition out of athletics and how she's utilizing her passion for other things

Accepting that the emotions she’s feeling during her transition out of collegiate athletics are normal and how she's embracing the change

Get in touch with Camryn here

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In this episode, Kat sits down with Lindsey to dive into her journey of transitioning from a collegiate lacrosse coaching career to stepping into a new role in marketing and communications at Morgan's Message. Lindsey shares the challenges and insights she gained during this shift and reflects on how much can change in just a few years. We also talk about her time coaching, the headspace she’s been in and the courage it took to navigate this new phase of her career. Plus, Lindsey opens up about joining the Morgan's Message team and how this opportunity has shaped her journey beyond lacrosse.

In the episode we discuss:

Lindsey's career transition and life transitions in general

The mental and emotional challenges during a major life shift

How Lindsey found the courage to step away from coaching

Her experiences with Morgan’s Message and how it has impacted her life

You can connect with Lindsey here!
You can find out more about Morgan’s Message here
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In this episode, Kat sits down with Erica Buckley, an former collegiate lacrosse player who shares her personal story of overcoming major setbacks on and off the field. Erica opens up about her battle with injuries, mental health challenges and how her journey has shaped her resilience. From facing multiple ACL injuries to dealing with the isolation that comes with watching her teammates achieve their goals, Erica gives us a raw and honest look into her struggles and wins. The conversation explores how she navigated her recovery process, found healthy coping mechanisms and maintained her connection with her team during difficult times.

In the episode we discuss:

High School Injuries and Mental Blocks

The College Transition

Coping with Being Sidelined and Injuries

The Role of Team in Recovery

You can find Erica on IG here!

Learn more about Morgan’s Message here

Follow Morgan’s Message on Instagram here

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
Follow Morgan’s Message on Instagram here

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