It’s amazing the difference you can make when you are dedicated to a cause. Hugh Roberts, athlete activist and professional soccer player — and our guest for this podcast episode, talks about it all in this conversation.

“What value can you find within yourself even if you can’t see it?”

In this episode, Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CSW shares space with professional soccer player, Hugh Roberts. Hugh currently plays for Monterey Bay FC and he is the founder of BackYardFooty. He is an executive committee member of the USL Black Players Alliance and he is also an executive board member of the Anti-Racist Soccer Club. He manages to keep up with a rigorous practice schedule and find time for activism within his community.

Topics explored in this episode with Hugh Roberts | Athlete Activist and Professional Soccer Player

• Pro athletes are more than just the sport.

Podcast episode moments:

15:01-18:22 – Hugh talks about his business, BackYardFooty, and how he used his podcast to spread awareness for the Black Lives Matter Movement. Those episodes were some of the most formative of his career. His ultimate goal is to lead a life of activism and entrepreneurship that far extends beyond professional soccer. He has a clear vision for the opportunities that surround him.

27:16-29:46 – Hugh talks about his interests outside of soccer. He talks about the Black Lives Matter Movement as it relates to mental health.

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This is the AthMindset Podcast Series on SportsEpreneur. And it’s all about mental health in sports.

From Lisa: I’m Lisa Bonta Sumii and this is the AthMindset Podcast Series on SportsEpreneur. This podcast series is a space for conversations with athletes, coaches, practitioners, and stakeholders in sports. And it’s where those individuals share their perspectives, experiences, and thoughts on mental health in sports. 

Eric Kasimov of SportsEpreneur is generously hosting the AthMindset Podcast Series on his platform as he deeply believes that these conversations are essential and deserve to be prioritized.

This is the AthMindset Podcast Series on SportsEpreneur. SportsEpreneur — the content platform where sports, entrepreneurship, and mental health collide! If you are looking to start a podcast or create original content, you have to talk with the team at SportsEpreneur. I work with them and I vouch for them. It’s that simple. Go to SportsE.io to learn more. 

Are you an athlete or entrepreneur looking to create content? Learn More.

Website worth a look:

• BackYardFooty

More content around soccer and movements

• AthMindset | Soccer Raised Me with Nana Attakora

Connecting:

• Hugh Roberts: LinkedIn | Instagram | BackYardFooty IG

That’s a wrap:

• Thank you for listening to this AthMindset Podcast Series episode on SportsEpreneur titled, “Hugh Roberts | Athlete Activist and Professional Soccer Player”.

The post AthMindset | Hugh Roberts | Athlete Activist and Professional Soccer Player appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

“If things that people say make you feel uncomfortable then 9 times out of 10 it’s true.” This conversation hits on many essential topics in and around the world of sports — namely: equity, diversity and inclusion in sports. The stories and dialogue behind those words need to be shared and heard. Hit play on this episode and you’ll know what we mean.

This episode features psychotherapist and mental performance consultant to elite athletes, Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CSW sharing space with Damon Wiley. Damon received his B.A. from UC Berkley where he was a student-athlete and a three-time all-American rugby player.

Topics explored in this conversation:

• team chemistry is essential to winning

Damon Wiley is a 23-year-old UC Berkeley graduate who was a 4-year rugby starter and a three-time all-American. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Incorporated, which is a historically black Greek organization that promotes community uplift. Damon puts this idea into practice as a mentor for black children and individuals in his community. He majored in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in business, economic development, and history. He speaks passionately about equality in sports and America and credits his uncle, grandmother, and mother for raising him to be the man that he is.

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This is the AthMindset Podcast Series on SportsEpreneur. And it’s all about mental health in sports.

From Lisa: I’m Lisa Bonta Sumii and this is the AthMindset Podcast Series on SportsEpreneur. This podcast series is a space for conversations with athletes, coaches, practitioners, and stakeholders in sports. And it’s where those individuals share their perspectives, experiences, and thoughts on mental health in sports. 

Eric Kasimov of SportsEpreneur is generously hosting the AthMindset Podcast Series on his platform as he deeply believes that these conversations are essential and deserve to be prioritized.

This is the AthMindset Podcast Series on SportsEpreneur. SportsEpreneur — the content platform where sports, entrepreneurship, and mental health collide! If you are looking to start a podcast or create original content, you have to talk with the team at SportsEpreneur. I work with them and I vouch for them. It’s that simple. Go to SportsE.io to learn more. 

Are you an athlete or entrepreneur looking to create content? Learn More.

Website worth a look:

• SportsEpreneur

More content around sports and mental health:

• Sports Bring People Together

Connecting:

• Damon Wiley: LinkedIn

That’s a wrap:

• Thank you for listening to this AthMindset Podcast Series episode on SportsEpreneur titled, “Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Sports with Damon Wiley”.

The post AthMindset | Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Sports with Damon Wiley appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

“What are you outside of sports?”

This conversation features Mental Health & Sports Performance Coach, Lisa Bonta Sumii sharing space with Amanda Banks, Founder of Sports to Suits. A company on a mission to help athletes get a career outside of sports.

Topics explored in this conversation:

• transitioning to life after sports

(Research) From the National Library of Medicine: Athletic Identity in Youth Athletes: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Amanda Banks is the Co-Founder and CEO of Sports To Suits and DeBanks, LLC. She is also the host of the weekly live show “Sports To Suits” where she highlights former athletes that are leveraging their background in sports to see success in business. Amanda is an enterprise sales leader, strategic partnerships creator, and joy enthusiast. She has a strong track record in sales, healthcare, technology, innovation, and leadership and believes every conversation is the opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of others.

—

This is the AthMindset Podcast Series on SportsEpreneur. And it’s all about mental health in sports.

From Lisa: I’m Lisa Bonta Sumii and this is the AthMindset Podcast Series on SportsEpreneur. This podcast series is a space for conversations with athletes, coaches, practitioners, and stakeholders in sports. And it’s where those individuals share their perspectives, experiences, and thoughts on mental health in sports. 

Eric Kasimov of SportsEpreneur is generously hosting the AthMindset Podcast Series on his platform as he deeply believes that these conversations are essential and deserve to be prioritized.

This is the AthMindset Podcast Series on SportsEpreneur. SportsEpreneur — the content platform where sports, entrepreneurship, and mental health collide! If you are looking to start a podcast or create original content, you have to talk with the team at SportsEpreneur. I work with them and I vouch for them. It’s that simple. Go to SportsE.io to learn more. 

Are you an athlete or entrepreneur looking to create content? Learn More.

Website worth a look:

• SportsEpreneur

More content around transitioning to life after sports:

• SE50 | Nate Oliver | Ohio State Buckeyes and Life After Football

Connecting:

• Amanda Banks: LinkedIn | YouTube

That’s a wrap:

• Thank you for listening to this AthMindset Podcast Series episode on SportsEpreneur titled, “Athletic Identity With Amanda Banks, Founder of Sports to Suits”.

The post AthMindset | Athletic Identity With Amanda Banks, Founder of Sports to Suits appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

A podcast episode all about the movement for MENtal HEALth and wellness among men.

This conversation features Mental Health & Sports Performance Coach, Lisa Bonta Sumii sharing space with James Harris, the founder of Men to Heal.

James Harris attended St Paul’s College and has a BA in Psychology. After his freshman year, he joined the Army. James has eight years of service with an honorable discharge. He has two deployments: Iraq and Afghanistan.

After his military duty, he earned a MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) from South University. He is a Licensed Mental Health Professional. He is a member of Chi Sigma Iota Honor Society (CSI), American Counselors Association (ACA), Richmond Area Counselors Association (RACA) and board member of the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI-CVA), and the Co-Chair of DEI for a DOD agency,

James works in community-based services in the inner cities, and sits on the Family Assessment Planning Team (F.A.P.T) meetings for DSS and at schools. He works in private practice in Richmond, VA, and has started an international movement called “Men to Heal”.

“Men to Heal” assists men to focus on their overall wellness, MENtal, emotional and physical HEALth. He conducts sessions on various topics involving boys/men and MENtal HEALth.

James also authored a book titled “Man, Just Express Yourself” which is an interactive guide for MEN, young and old.

—

This is the AthMindset Podcast Series on SportsEpreneur. And it’s all about mental health in sports.

From Lisa: I’m Lisa Bonta Sumii and this is the AthMindset Podcast Series on SportsEpreneur. This podcast series is a space for conversations with athletes, coaches, practitioners, and stakeholders in sports. And it’s where those individuals share their perspectives, experiences, and thoughts on mental health in sports. 

Eric Kasimov of SportsEpreneur is generously hosting the AthMindset Podcast Series on his platform as he deeply believes that these conversations are essential and deserve to be prioritized.

This is the AthMindset Podcast Series on SportsEpreneur. SportsEpreneur — the content platform where sports, entrepreneurship, and mental health collide! If you are looking to start a podcast or create original content, you have to talk with the team at SportsEpreneur. I work with them and I vouch for them. It’s that simple. Go to SportsE.io to learn more. 

Are you an athlete or entrepreneur looking to create content? Learn More.

Website worth a look:

• SportsEpreneur

More content around mental health in men

• RAV | Changing the Narrative Around Mental Health with Eric Kussin

Connecting:

• James Harris: YouTube | LinkedIn | Instagram | Man, Just Express Yourself BOOK

That’s a wrap:

• Thank you for listening to this AthMindset Podcast Series episode on SportsEpreneur titled, “Man, Just Express Yourself with James Harris”.

The post AthMindset | Man, Just Express Yourself with James Harris appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

“It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.” – Aristotle

This is an episode all about redemption. This redemption story started with support. And this conversation features Mental Health & Sports Performance Coach, Lisa Bonta Sumii sharing space with Marques Ogden. Marques is a former NFL player and now an inspirational keynote speaker.

Growing up in a single-parent home with a father that inspired perseverance and fairness, Marques Ogden learned how to define his values and set goals. Ogden attended Howard University from 1998 to 2002 where he played Division I football.

Ogden then followed his dream and his brother Jonathan’s footsteps, eventually getting drafted into the NFL in 2003. Overall, he played for five years as an offensive lineman with the Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Following his NFL career Ogden started Kayden Premier Enterprises, a construction company in 2007 which quickly escalated to being a multi-million dollar construction firm. But in 2013, it all crashed down around him when Ogden got involved with a bad business deal — he ended up losing everything.

Ogden became a speaker to help others succeed where he failed. As a keynote speaker, executive coach, and corporate trainer, his passion is to create value for every client. Ogden’s clients consist of AXA Advisors, The Home Depot, JP Morgan, and Chase, among others.

—

This is the AthMindset Podcast Series on SportsEpreneur. And it’s all about mental health in sports.

From Lisa: I’m Lisa Bonta Sumii and this is the AthMindset Podcast Series on SportsEpreneur. This podcast series is a space for conversations with athletes, coaches, practitioners, and stakeholders in sports. And it’s where those individuals share their perspectives, experiences, and thoughts on mental health in sports. 

Eric Kasimov of SportsEpreneur is generously hosting the AthMindset Podcast Series on his platform as he deeply believes that these conversations are essential and deserve to be prioritized.

This is the AthMindset Podcast Series on SportsEpreneur. SportsEpreneur — the content platform where sports, entrepreneurship, and mental health collide! If you are looking to start a podcast or create original content, you have to talk with the team at SportsEpreneur. I work with them and I vouch for them. It’s that simple. Go to SportsE.io to learn more. 

Are you an athlete or entrepreneur looking to create content? Learn More.

Website worth a look:

• SportsEpreneur

More content around the transition from sports to life after sports:

• SE26 | James Cotton | A Buckeye Transitioning in Sports, Life, and Business

Connecting:

• Marques Ogden: Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Core Magazine (100 Most Influential Blacks Today)

That’s a wrap:

• Thank you for listening to this AthMindset Podcast Series episode on SportsEpreneur titled, “Marques Ogden | Former NFL Player, Servant Leader, Inspirational Speaker”.

The post AthMindset | Marques Ogden | Former NFL Player, Servant Leader, Inspirational Speaker appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

“I hope my story can help someone out. Even if it helps just one person, I’ll be happy with that.” – Max Castin

“Yesterday is history,

This is an episode all about student-athlete mental health. In it, Lisa Bonta Sumii shares space with Max Castin, a track and field student-athlete at Mt. San Antonio College in San Diego, CA. Max shares stories that are sure to impact many other young athletes — stories of not being ready for college athletics, getting cut from his first collegiate team, seeking help for his mental health, and helping others with their mental health.

While Max Castin is a track athlete at Mt. San Antonio College, he was first on the Cal State Fullerton track team. As a high jumper, he jumped 6 foot 6 inches when in high school. All without ever having an entire year of training for track and field as he was an athlete first, playing other sports. So, he was eager to get to his track team at Cal State Fullerton to start his full-time training — only he was admittedly not prepared for that. And definitely not prepared for the difficulty of the schooling and overall time management that comes with being a student-athlete. As Max says, “It was definitely a learning curve and I struggled both in the classroom and on the track my freshman year. But then my event coach assured me that we were just worried about next year — and that we will get things back on track.”

In August before the start of school, he received an email from his head track coach informing him that he was cut. So much for getting back on track!

“I was devastated, and not only that, I had already enrolled in classes — so I was not really getting the opportunity to put my name in the transfer portal. I was stuck going to the school for at least the next semester.” As Max shares, this was a difficult time in his life as his anxiety worsened. He continued to struggle with school and ended up having to leave Cal State Fullerton altogether. This is when he went back home to San Diego. He was taking online classes when he was thankfully given another opportunity at Mt. San Antonio College, and in a Covid abbreviated season, Max was able to best his PR (personal record) after only joining the team earlier that year.

Max Castin is a sophomore at the time of this recording. He credits much of his success to a mindset switch, thanks to the help of his family, friends, therapist, and especially his head coach at Mount SAC. He has been able to let go of his anxieties whenever he is on the track and not worry about results. Today, Max focuses on the things he can control.

As a result of Max’s story, he wanted to share his journey and insight into the struggles that he dealt with — being cut from his first program and how he was able to work through his struggles — with support. He wants to share how he was able to turn his hurt into motivation and growth.

—

This is the AthMindset Podcast Series on SportsEpreneur. And it’s all about mental health in sports.

From Lisa: I’m Lisa Bonta Sumii and this is the AthMindset Podcast Series on SportsEpreneur. This podcast series is a space for conversations with athletes, coaches, practitioners, and stakeholders in sports. And it’s where those individuals share their perspectives, experiences, and thoughts on mental health in sports. 

Eric Kasimov of SportsEpreneur is generously hosting the AthMindset Podcast Series on his platform as he deeply believes that these conversations are essential and deserve to be prioritized.

This is the AthMindset Podcast Series on SportsEpreneur. SportsEpreneur — the content platform where sports, entrepreneurship, and mental health collide! If you are looking to start a podcast or create original content, you have to talk with the team at SportsEpreneur. I work with them and I vouch for them. It’s that simple. Go to SportsE.io to learn more. 

Are you an athlete or entrepreneur looking to create content? Learn More.

Website worth a look:

• SportsEpreneur

More student-athlete mental health:

• AthMindset | World-Class Sprinter Curtis Mitchell

Connecting:

• Max Castin: Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

That’s a wrap:

• Thank you for listening to this AthMindset Podcast Series episode on SportsEpreneur titled, “Student-Athlete Mental Health with Max Castin”.

The post AthMindset | Student-Athlete Mental Health with Max Castin appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

“You can be involved in professional sports besides being a player.” -Lisa Bonta Sumii responding to Carlos Yustis talking about his proud moments covering sports.

In this episode, Lisa Bonta Sumii shares space with Carlos Yustis, Sports Anchor for Telemundo 48 in the Bay Area. Lisa and Carlos talk about becoming a sports anchor, the media member’s perspective on mental health in sports, and understanding that those in the media would not exist without the athletes.

Carlos has an extensive broadcast background and we’re excited to share his wisdom and stories in the episode — plus you can learn more about his experience below.

In 2019, Carlos Yustis joined Telemundo 48 in the Bay Area as the Sports Anchor. Carlos had previously worked at Telemundo 40 in McAllen, Texas as the week-day Sports Anchor from 2017 to 2019. Prior to his experience as a Sports Anchor, Carlos was an associate producer for Telemundo Network from 2010 to 2016, where he covered the London Olympics in 2012 and the 2016 Olympic Games from Rio de Janeiro — both as a reporter and a sociaI media content creator.

Football

Currently, Carlos serves as the Spanish broadcast analyst for the San Francisco 49ers and has extensive experience working with the NFL as a video producer of Sunday Night Football games for Telemundo Network including Super Bowl XLIX in Arizona and covering the Pro Bowl that same year. Most recently, he was part of the coverage of Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles and Super Bowl LIV in Miami for Telemundo 48 and he was also part of the Broadcast team for the Sunday Night Football Game between Dallas and Washington for Telemundo Network.

Soccer

Carlos Yustis was also a narrator and commentator for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, the FIFA U-20 World Cup, the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, and the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015, as well as the FIFA Futsal World Cup and the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers in 2016 for Telemundo Deportes — and is currently the English language analyst for Chivas Rayadas del Guadalajara for Telemundo Deportes. In addition, Carlos has been a reporter for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup France, the Rio Olympics in 2016, and most recently the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers.

—

This is the AthMindset Podcast Series on SportsEpreneur. And it’s all about mental health in sports.

From Lisa: I’m Lisa Bonta Sumii and this is the AthMindset Podcast Series on SportsEpreneur. This podcast series is a space for conversations with athletes, coaches, practitioners, and stakeholders in sports. And it’s where those individuals share their perspectives, experiences, and thoughts on mental health in sports. 

Eric Kasimov of SportsEpreneur is generously hosting the AthMindset Podcast Series on his platform as he deeply believes that these conversations are essential and deserve to be prioritized.

This is the AthMindset Podcast Series on SportsEpreneur. SportsEpreneur — the content platform where sports, entrepreneurship, and mental health collide! If you are looking to start a podcast or create original content, you have to talk with the team at SportsEpreneur. I work with them and I vouch for them. It’s that simple. Go to SportsE.io to learn more. 

Are you an athlete or entrepreneur looking to create content? Learn More.

Website worth a look:

• SportsEpreneur

More mental health and media content:

• ClutchTimeout | Steve Lavin | Leading From Inside the Huddle

Connecting:

• Carlos Yustin: Twitter | LinkedIn

That’s a wrap:

• Thank you for listening to this AthMindset Podcast Series episode on SportsEpreneur titled, “Carlos Yustis | Sports Anchor for Telemundo 48 Bay Area”.

The post AthMindset | Carlos Yustis | Sports Anchor for Telemundo 48 Bay Area appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

“How will you take care of her mind and her well-being while she is a student-athlete at your institution?” –Dania Cabello’s father, talking to the soccer coaches at the University of California, Berkeley, upon her daughter being offered a scholarship to play soccer for them.

In this episode, Lisa Bonta Sumii shares space with Dania Cabello. “Dania is a first-generation American-born daughter of political refugees from Chile and Mapuche. She is an accomplished Oakland-born artist, athlete (including former Cal Bears soccer player), entrepreneur, and educator. As a former professional soccer player, herbalist, and academic, she weaves her expertise to center healing as a practice that involves mind, body, and spirit. Her medicine is founded on participatory practices that re-engage the body as sites of knowledge production and healing. Her work invites audiences through herbal medicine, visual art, and physical movement – across space and time – to critically address issues of access, visibility, race, immigration, gender, and joy.” (source)

This is the AthMindset Podcast Series on SportsEpreneur. And it’s all about mental health in sports.

From Lisa: I’m Lisa Bonta Sumii and this is the AthMindset Podcast Series on SportsEpreneur. This podcast series is a space for conversations with athletes, coaches, practitioners, and stakeholders in sports. And it’s where those individuals share their perspectives, experiences, and thoughts on mental health in sports. 

Eric Kasimov of SportsEpreneur is generously hosting the AthMindset Podcast Series on his platform as he deeply believes that these conversations are essential and deserve to be prioritized.

This is the AthMindset Podcast Series on SportsEpreneur. SportsEpreneur — the content platform where sports, entrepreneurship, and mental health collide! If you are looking to start a podcast or create original content, you have to talk with the team at SportsEpreneur. I work with them and I vouch for them. It’s that simple. Go to SportsE.io to learn more. 

Are you an athlete or entrepreneur looking to create content? Learn More.

Website worth a look:

• SportsEpreneur

More mental health and soccer content:

• AthMindset | Project Myself with DeVante DuBose

Connecting:

• Dania Cabello: LinkedIn | Cal player page

That’s a wrap:

• Thank you for listening to this AthMindset Podcast Series episode on SportsEpreneur titled, “More Than An Athlete Stories with Dania Cabello”.

The post AthMindset | More Than An Athlete Stories with Dania Cabello appeared first on SportsEpreneur.

“Edge perspective on the inevitable future of NFTs” – @m3tafive on Twitter

Anyone following the NFT space sees the impact it’s having on the sports world. So we talk about it all in this episode:

Web 2.5

“Prioritize your own mental health.” -Reina Bonta

In this episode, Lisa Bonta Sumii shares space with Yale Women’s Soccer Student-Athletes, Mia Grillo and Reina Bonta.

Learn more about each of these amazing young women on their Yale Soccer Page: Mia Grillo | Reina Bonta

Mia and Reina’s support for each other, their teammates, and their own mental health is what this episode is all about. They get into the life of a student-athlete, Yale Women’s Soccer, their own mental health journey, soccer coaches, and their different interests.

Mia Grillo and Reina Bonta’s willingness to share makes this conversation so important. We’re grateful to each of them for their vulnerability, time, and their desire to give back.

This is the AthMindset Podcast Series on SportsEpreneur. And it’s all about mental health in sports.

From Lisa: I’m Lisa Bonta Sumii and this is the AthMindset Podcast Series on SportsEpreneur. This podcast series is a space for conversations with athletes, coaches, practitioners, and stakeholders in sports. And it’s where those individuals share their perspectives, experiences, and thoughts on mental health in sports. 

Eric Kasimov of SportsEpreneur is generously hosting the AthMindset Podcast Series on his platform as he deeply believes that these conversations are essential and deserve to be prioritized.

This is the AthMindset Podcast Series on SportsEpreneur. SportsEpreneur — the content platform where sports, entrepreneurship, and mental health collide! If you are looking to start a podcast or create original content, you have to talk with the team at SportsEpreneur. I work with them and I vouch for them. It’s that simple. Go to SportsE.io to learn more. 

Are you an athlete or entrepreneur looking to create content? Learn More.

Website worth a look:

• SportsEpreneur

More mental health and soccer content:

• AthMindset | Soccer Raised Me with Nana Attakora

Connecting:

• Lisa Bonta Sumii: LinkedIn, Twitter

That’s a wrap:

• Thank you for listening to this AthMindset Podcast Series episode on SportsEpreneur titled, “Yale Women’s Soccer with Mia Grillo and Reina Bonta | + Student-Athletes & Mental Health”.

The post AthMindset | Yale Women’s Soccer with Mia Grillo and Reina Bonta | + Student-Athletes & Mental Health appeared first on SportsEpreneur.