The Mental Matchup

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
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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!
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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!
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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.

This week, Kat sits down with Rohan Piple on The Mental Matchup. Rohan grew up in Maryland and played varsity basketball at Southern Vermont College. He then went on to become a Behavioral Health Specialist with a Master's in Sports Industry Management from Georgetown University. During the episode, he discusses the performance wellness company, AŠVA, he created and why he decided to focus on this aspect of an athlete’s overall health. Rohan has so much knowledge and we are excited to share it with all of you!

This week, Vanessa Kara joins Kat on the podcast. Vanessa is from Burlington, New Jersey and went on to play college soccer at Drexel University then the University of Florida as a grad transfer. After college, she competed professionally in Finland and walks us through creating a career in the NWSL. She also touches on achieving her dream of playing for the Dominican Republic women's national soccer team! During her time as a student-athlete, Vanessa experienced 3 ACL tears and opens up about her recovery process and how she was able to bounce back after each injury. Vanessa recently retired from soccer and opens up about embracing working as an engineer. She also talks about specific mental health practices that helped get her through these difficult times and we can’t wait for you to hear Vanessa’s story!

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This week, Bill Kvalheim, joins us on The Mental Matchup. Bill is a a former varsity football player at Kean University who has since become an educator and has also served as a college football coach. Bill is the founder of Tackle Depression, a non-profit organization providing knowledge, insight and resources for anyone battling mental illness. In the episode, he shares how his own struggles with mental health inspired him to create something to help others and highlights the importance of a strong support system. Overall, he wants to spread awareness to students, athletes, programs and school districts to let anyone know who is struggling that you are not alone!

This week, Sarah Spaeth joins The Mental Matchup. Sarah is from Bel Air, Maryland and went to the Catholic University of America where she played softball. Sarah notes that she listened to her first TMM podcast episode during the fall of 2023 and was immediately impacted by other’s sharing their story. Now in her very own episode, Sarah is opening up about her own experience moving from being a student-athlete to existing in the working world, the journey of getting to college and the importance of self-talk. We know that this episode will resonate with many and we are excited to have Sarah join us!

In this episode of The Mental Matchup, we sit down with Riley Walker, an At-Large Ambassador and mental health advocate. Struggling with anxiety and witnessing her sister's battle with depression, Riley made it a point to advocate for mental health and through seven years of dedication, including therapy and mindset shifts, she emerged stronger than ever. Now, she advocates for mental health, inspiring others through her speaking engagements and community initiatives. Thank you to Riley who shares her transformative journey from anxiety to becoming a powerful advocate for mental well-being!

During this episode, Bella Raymond, a rising sophomore on Nazareth University's field hockey team, shares her inspiring journey of resilience. Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 10 and hypothyroidism on her second day of college, Bella walks us through how she was able to continue her goal of playing a collegiate sport. She also discusses the impact of hypothyroidism on her physical and mental well-being, shedding light on its often-overlooked symptoms. Through her story, she advocates for athletes with autoimmune diseases and emphasizes the importance of self-care and support systems.

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