Rise Above Your Mind

Episode 15 - The Stigma Around Men’s Mental Health (With Tyler Lewin - D3 Soccer Athlete and THO Campus Captain)

IntroStigma Around Men’s Mental HealthTyler’s Personal JourneyFinding a Support SystemThe Difference That One Person Can MakeOvercoming the ‘It Is What It Is’ MentalityBeing Vulnerable With the People in Your LifeCoaches Supporting Athlete’s Mental HealthBuilding Relationships Within TeamsPrioritizing Mental Health Over Athletic SuccessStigma Around Men Dealing With Eating DisordersBreaking the Stigma Around Men’s Mental HealthSeeking Out Support and Accepting Professional HelpMen’s Mental Health StatisticsUnderstanding That You Are Never AloneOutro

Episode 14 - The Challenges of Being an International Student-Athlete and Dealing with Performance Yips (With Alina Lebedeva - Penn State Tennis Athle...

IntroImpact of Childhood AthleticsChallenges of Having a Parent as a CoachDecision to Come to the United StatesTeam Sports Versus Individual SportsDifficulties of the Team Atmosphere in TennisImpact of Cultural DifferencesHow International Relations and Covid-19 Impacted International AthletesJoining Into an Established Team Dynamic and Feeling Like an OutsiderMental Health Challenges as an AthleteImportance of Therapy and Sports PsychologyMental Blocks in AthleticsDealing With Performance YipsOutro

Episode 13 - Overcoming Toxic Diet Culture and Building a Community (With Makena Romagnano - Founder of ‘balancedmakena’ and D2 Tennis Athlete)

IntroTopics of ConversationMakena’s PlatformToxic Diet CultureNegative Impact of Forced Calorie DeficitsBreaking Social Media StandardsBuilding a Supportive CommunityMakena’s “Team M-Power”Finding Purpose Through PainRelying on Your Community For SupportMost Important Step is Reaching OutClosing Thoughts from MakenaOutro‘balancedmakena’ link

Episode 12 - Overcoming Life’s Obstacles and Using Athletics as an Escape (With Hensley Hancuff - D1 Soccer Athlete and Cancer Survivor)

IntroHensley’s Personal JourneyOvercoming Life’s ObstaclesMental Aspect of RecoveryTreating Mental Health Like Physical HealthImportance of Support SystemsTransfer Portal - Finding Better SupportAdversity led to Becoming a Better TeammateUsing Athletics as an Escape Finding Passions Outside of AthleticsClosing Thoughts/AdviceOutro

Episode 11 - Self Love and Self Care in Athletics and the Mental Blocks Caused by Injury (With Kelsey Isman - D3 Swimmer and THO Intern)

intro (0:27)topic of self care and self love (0:55)self care with kels (2:20)understanding self care in athletics (4:27)self care as a therapeutic tool (6:11)building a community of support (8:32)challenge of ‘making a difference’ (12:08)comparing pain to others and knowing that your feelings are valid (15:43)mental blocks in athletics (26:43)kelsey’s personal health journey (29:44)finding a healthy recovery balance (35:43)pre/post injury body differences (38:26)understanding simone biles sacrifice (40:27)kelsey’s closing advice on self care and self love (42:33)outro (45:13)

Episode 10 - The NIL Era and How It Will Affect Student-Athletes and Their Mental Health (With Braly Keller - Former D3 Athlete and NSAAC Representati...

Intro (0:27)The Confusing Aspects of NIL (1:33)The History of How NIL Came to Be (2:22)The Different Levels of NIL Legislation (6:19)What is Opendorse and How Does It Work? (10:32)Jaeden’s Affiliation With Unbroken Athletica (14:29)How D3 Athletes Can Take Advantage of NIL (16:09)Being Unique and Creative With NIL Opportunities (19:35)Profiting Off of Your Passions (MTJB) (21:14)No More ‘Student-Athlete vs. Passions’ (22:28)The Importance of Sponsorships (27:59)How NIL Can Affect Mental Health (29:22)Being Authentic With Your “Brand” (30:13)Fair/Unfair Opportunities for Student-Athletes (33:36)How NIL Can and Will Affect Recruiting (36:51)Being Mature in The NIL Era (40:29)The Mental Pressure of Getting Deals (42:50)The Importance of Not Forgetting The True Purpose of Collegiate Institutions and Athletics  (44:15)Braly’s Closing Thoughts and Advice (46:37)Outro/Final Remarks (49:22)

Episode 9 - How Body Image is Influenced by Social Media and Athletics (With Mads Leslie - D2 Lacrosse Athlete and Founder of TSYB)

Intro (0:26)Time to Shake Your Beauty (0:56)Being Authentic About Body Image (3:08)How Athletics Influences Body Image (4:49)How Social Media Influences Body Image (7:18)The Value That Each Unique Body Holds (9:43)The Added Pressure of Body Image for Athletes (12:17)The False Reality of Social Media Caused by Editing (13:53)Subconsciously Falling Into Body Image Standards (15:17)The Importance of Positive Self Talk (20:23)Building a Body Positive Community (22:25)BYOB: Be Your Own Bestfriend (24:07)Mads Spotlight: SheIsTalking, Another Blonde, and Being a THO Campus Captain (27:06)Mads’ Closing Body Image Advice (30:56)Closing Thoughts/Outro (32:03)RAYM SOCIAL MEDIAMADS SOCIAL MEDIA

Episode 8 - The Mental Pressure of Athletics and Rising Through Adversity (With Sam Cary - D1 Soccer Athlete and THO Campus Captain)

Intro (0:27)Mental Pressure of Committing D1 (1:15) Mental Pressure of Starting as a Freshman (3:06)Freedom of Playing for Yourself and for Fun (6:02)Mindset of Being too Afraid to Make Mistakes (7:19)Iowa Soccer’s 2021 ’Miracle Season’ (11:29)Sam’s Personal Growth as a Teammate (21:07)Appreciating the Little Moments in Athletics (28:34)TW: Sexual Assault - Skip to (38:29)Sam’s Personal Mental Health Journey (31:03)Sam’s Accomplishments at Iowa (38:29)Final Words/Outro - (42:36)

Episode 7 - How COVID-19 Affected Athletics and Mental Health (With Clara Vulpisi - Team Canada Olympian and D1 Water Polo Athlete)

Intro (0:26)Clara’s COVID-19 Experience (1:02)COVID-19 Decision Making (9:29)Controlling the Controllable (10:30)Jaeden’s COVID-19 Experience (12:29)When COVID-19 Ended Careers (14:42)Going Out on Your Own Terms (18:15)Clara’s Mental Health Journey (22:20)THO’s ‘More Than An Athlete‘ Campaign (27:15)Enjoying the Smallest Aspects of Life (30:31)Learning Not to Take Things for Granted (36:21)The Emotions of Making the Olympics (37:52)Appreciating the Sacrifices of Others (41:21)Outro/Clara’s Closing Advice (43:26)

Episode 6 - Stepping Away From Sports and Religion in Sports (With Hailey Bianco – Former D3 Athlete and THO Intern)

Intro (0:27)Hailey's Decision to Step Away from Volleyball (0:49)God Sending a Volleyball to Help Out (4:11)Emotions of Making Her Decision (5:40)Advice For Someone Struggling With Stepping Away (7:08)Finding a Purpose/Passion Outside of Sport (8:50)Finding Faith Through Athletics and in General (10:13)A New Beginning - Reconnecting With God (14:41)North Park Pastor Speaking to THO Faith Group (15:57)Getting Lost in Life After Sport (18:02)Importance of Coaches Understanding Mental Health (19:09)Finding Something Worth Praying About (20:20)Hailey Coming to Understand Her Purpose (21:23)Doing What is Best for Yourself (23:10)Everything Happens for a Reason (25:36)Final Thoughts/Outro (26:25)