Mental Health in Sports

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Welcome to my platform, where storytelling meets profound insights.
Dive into a realm where every word carries a purpose, every image conveys a message, and

every story enlightens minds.

My work focuses on exploring the intricate relationship between mental health, resilience, and

success within the realms of sports. Through in-depth interviews and compelling storytelling,

I aim to shed light on this crucial correlation. Check out my story.

When I decided to go to talk therapy for relationships, I had already been in care for a couple

of years, but I really picked it back up during the pandemic when the world was in crisis.

I believe that time exacerbated traits and characteristics within me that I had once hidden

behind work, school, and a smile. Deep down, I struggled to deal with and manage

uncomfortable emotions.

I started to realize that my emotional well-being wasn’t so "well"—my

reactions to situations were often larger and didn’t match the scale of the actual situation itself.

Oftentimes, we want to place the blame somewhere, and in my case, I have a family history of

mental health challenges, including depression and bipolar disorder. My own mother has experienced seasons of deep emotional struggle since I was a child, and those experiences have shaped much of how I understand mental health today. I’m someone in my family who recognizes the patterns and has chosen to seek support and healing. Additionally, growing up in a household where feelings and emotions weren’t openly discussed, mental health definitely wasn’t a topic of conversation.

I first discovered physical and spiritual well-being around the age of 18. I had an experience that made me want to change both internally and externally. I then began playing basketball for my school—Laney College. The daily 6 a.m. workouts, two-a-days, the 3.4-mile runs around Lake Merritt, plus the steep Cleveland Cascade stairs, got me in amazing shape.

That sparked my interest in eating healthy foods—natural fruits, veggies, legumes—honestly, anything that came from the earth. I began to question everything I knew. I also decided to dedicate my life to God and church. I was raised Apostolic—my mother and father were ministers, and my grandfather owned the church we attended, so that transition wasn’t very difficult.

My original thought around therapy was that it was meant to fix all my problems. However, what I’ve learned—like any form of care—is that it’s a partnership and often requires consistency. Therapy has given me tools to manage mental and emotional stress, which, in turn, has affected the quality of my relationships and overall well-being. Things aren’t perfect, but I have tools that help me live a good life.

There were little things about myself that I wanted to change—patterns that I started to see persist in my life. I remember when I was a child, my mother took me to the doctor because she thought I had ADHD. A therapist or psychologist conducted a test, and 15 minutes later, they diagnosed me with ADHD. My mother tried the medication for a short time, but she ultimately decided that she didn’t want to continue giving it to me, so she took me off it.

Last year, as I was preparing to finish college, I noticed that my attention span in the classroom was very short. One moment I’d be on TikTok, the next I’d be paying attention to the teacher, and seconds later, I’d feel the need to get up and go to the bathroom. I just had a scattered brain. So, I talked with a specialist, and he recommended that I try a medication called Strattera, a non-stimulant for ADHD. That, combined with therapy, has helped me tremendously in managing different aspects of my life.

As I’ve grown, I’ve realized that therapy isn’t just about fixing what’s “wrong” with me—it’s about self-awareness, growth, and healing. Therapy has helped me understand my emotional triggers and given me healthier coping mechanisms. I used to bottle up my emotions, fearing that expressing them would make me seem weak. Now, I see that vulnerability is strength.

One of the biggest revelations I’ve had in therapy is understanding how my childhood has shaped my relationships. Growing up in a household where emotions weren’t openly expressed made it difficult for me to communicate my feelings in relationships. I often felt the need to be strong, independent, and self-sufficient to a fault. I struggled to let people in, fearing that relying on others would make me a burden. But therapy has taught me that allowing myself to be supported is not a weakness—it’s a fundamental part of healthy relationships.

Another major shift in my perspective came from learning to reframe negative self-talk. For years, I was my own harshest critic. I would constantly replay past mistakes in my head, holding myself to unrealistic standards. But through therapy, I’ve learned to replace self-criticism with self-compassion. I remind myself that growth is a process and that setbacks don’t define me.

Therapy has also helped me navigate the pressures of being a Black woman in spaces where I often feel I have to prove myself. Whether it’s in academia, the workplace, or personal relationships, I’ve felt the weight of expectations that come with being seen as strong and resilient. But through therapy, I’ve learned that I don’t always have to be “strong.” I am allowed to have moments of doubt, exhaustion, and sadness. Strength is not just about enduring—it’s also about knowing when to rest, when to ask for help, and when to set boundaries.

One of the most profound things therapy has given me is the ability to be present. Before, I was always thinking ahead—what’s next, what I need to accomplish, how I can improve. But I’ve learned that life isn’t just about constantly striving for the next goal; it’s about experiencing the moment. I’m learning to appreciate the simple joys—spending time with loved ones, engaging in activities that bring me peace, and celebrating my progress rather than fixating on what still needs to be done.

As I approach graduation, I feel a deep sense of gratitude for the journey I’ve been on. Therapy has been a cornerstone of my growth, and while the work is ongoing, I can confidently say that I am in a much better place than when I started. I am embracing who I am, honoring my needs, and continuously working toward a healthier, more balanced life.

My journey with therapy has shown me that healing isn’t linear—it’s a lifelong process. There are still days when I struggle, but now, I have the tools to navigate those challenges. I am learning, evolving, and most importantly, giving myself grace along the way