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TrueSport Talks: Mental Wellness and the Student-Athlete.

Mental Wellness & The Student Athlete

Student-athletes face dual pressures to perform in both the classroom and on the field of play.  As national statistics and stories continue to unveil the scope of the youth mental health crisis, sport must own its part in the problem, evolve to champion meaningful change, and implement proactive solutions for the next generation.

Join TrueSport and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency for a virtual event as we explore mental wellness and the student-athlete. Together, with athletes and experts, we will address the unique mental health stressors facing student-athletes and chart an evidence-informed path forward with actionable takeaways for youth sport influencers.

RECORDED SESSIONS

Session 1: Training from the Neck Up- Student-Athletes and Mental Wellness, featuring Dr. Candice Williams.

Session 2: Competing Well- Athletes and Mental Wellness featuring Charley Nordin, Cailin Bracken, and Geoff Kelly.

Session 3: The Invisible Opponent- Contending for Student-Athlete Wellbeing with Dr. Kevin Chapman, Dr. Erin Haugen, Melissa Streno, Psyd, and Charron Sumler.

Session 3 Presentation Slide Deck

Session 4: Systems of Support | UNCUT: Healthy Sport Environment by Design with Dr. Amanda Stanec, Michael Kreuger, Ed.S, CMAA, Dr. Bhrett McCabe, Lt. Col. Steven Pipes, USAFA Ret., Allison Schmitt, OLY

Session 5: Sports as a Solution- Practical Guidelines that Drive Meaningful Change with Jess Kirby, PhD, Dr. Kevin Chapman and Dr. Deborah Gilboa.

*Please note, the first five minutes are missing from this recording. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Event Schedule
Guest Speakers
Academic Panel
2022 Testimonials

Event Schedule

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2022

Welcome
9:00-9:15 a.m.


Session 1 – Keynote | Training from the Neck Up: Student-Athletes and Mental Wellness
9:15-9:45 a.m.

The underlying factors that impact mental health may be different for every student-athlete, but this discussion is designed to enlighten athletes, parents/guardians, coaches, and sport leaders about relevant and evolving approaches to support student-athlete mental resilience. In this segment, Dr. Candice Williams will address the vital role mental wellness plays in the overall health and happiness of our young athletes.  Sharing her first-hand experiences and academic insights working with athletes from varied levels of competition, Dr. Williams will focus on the normalization of practices that strengthen awareness, reduce stigma, and reframe the discussion around mental fortitude.

 
Session 2 – Competing Well: Athletes and Mental Wellness
9:50-11:00 a.m.

 

Student-athletes are increasingly speaking publicly about the realities of their mental health challenges and their desire for support and change. Their courage and conviction are shaking the status quo, breaking stigmas, and inspiring sport to be better. Join us for this vital conversation that will place athlete voice and experience where it should be — front and center. Their challenges. Their victories. Their words. Our shared burden to respond.  


Coffee Break
11:00-11:10 a.m.

 

Session 3 – Lightning Round | The Invisible Opponent: Contending for Student-Athlete Wellbeing
11:10 a.m.-12:20 p.m.

Athletes know that to find competitive success, they must train like a champion and study themselves and their opponent. Our approach to athlete mental wellness is no different.  Perfectionism, identity, expectations, and pressure are all key elements of the invisible opponent our developing athletes are competing against daily. This series of micro-presentations will consider where sport and academics can do a better job of stepping up to the plate.


LUNCH
12:20-12:50 p.m.

 

Session 4 – Systems of Support | UNCUT: Healthy Sport Environment by Design
12:50-1:50 p.m.

Many student athletes are feeling isolated and abandoned by the very systems that should celebrate and support them. How do the various segments of a sport ecosystem (families, schools, sport administrators, fans, and peers) work collaboratively to recognize, educate, empower, and value student-athletes’ desire to prioritize mental wellness? This raw and daring conversation brings key stakeholders to the table to imagine better solutions for the next generation.

Coffee Break
1:50-2:00 p.m.

Session 5 – Sports as a Solution |  Practical Guidelines that Drive Meaningful Change
2:00-2:50 p.m.

What is sports’ role in moving mental wellbeing forward for student-athletes? Our experts dive into practical next steps as we explore ways that sporting environments and developmental sport stakeholders can encourage resilience, allow for psychological safety, and empower the next generation. 

Closing
2:50-3:00 p.m. 

Guest Speakers

Corey Robinson headshot.

Corey Robinson

Emcee; NBC Sports Host & Reporter; Division I Football, Notre Dame

Cailin Bracken headshot.

Cailin Bracken

Division I Lacrosse,
Vanderbilt University

Dr. Kevin Chapman headshot.

Kevin Chapman, PhD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Founder Kentucky Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders

Dr. Deborah Gilboa headshot.

Deborah Gilboa, MD

Board-Certified Family Physician, Founder AskDoctorG.com

Erin Haugen headshot.

Erin Haugen, Phd, lp, cmpc

Director, Mental Health and Performance Psychology
University of North Dakota

Geoff Kelly headshot.

Geoff Kelly

Division II Basketball, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

Jess Kirby, PhD headshot.

Jess Kirby, phd

Associate Director, Center for Critical Sports Studies, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

Michael Kreuger headshot.

Michael Krueger

Commissioner, Colorado High School Activities Association

Bhrett McCabe

Bhrett McCabe, PhD

Founder, The Mindside

Charley Nordin headshot.

Charley Nordin, PLY

Paralympic Silver Medalist
Division I Rowing, Gonzaga

Steve Pipes headshot.

Lt Col Stephen Pipes, USAF, Ret

Head Football Coach, College Prep School

Allison Schmitt headshot.

Allison Schmitt, OLY

10-Time Olympic Medalist, Mental Health Advocate

Melissa Streno headshot.

Melissa Streno, PsyD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Lantern Psychology

2022 TrueSport Talks

Charron Sumler

Athletic Counselor, The Ohio State University Athletics

Candice Williams headshot.

Candice Williams, PHD

Director, Mind Health and Wellness, Boston Celtics

Academic Advisory Panel

As the conversation around mental health and wellness continues to garner national attention, TrueSport, the outreach education arm of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, seeks to take a deeper look into the challenges coaches, sport administrators, and families are facing with their student-athletes. In connection with the second TrueSport Talks Symposium, TrueSport has enlisted an academic panel to build out a practical, concise, and evidence-based recommendations report. This report will focus wholistically on athlete well-being and suggest a systems approach to help identify opportunities to decrease stigma and increase the overall health of developmental sport culture.

Jay Coakley headshot.

Jay Coakley, PHD

Professor Emeritus of Sociology, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

Eddie Comeaux headshot.

Eddie Comeaux, phd

Executive Director, Center for Athletes' Rights and Equity at UC Riverside

2022 TrueSport Talks

Tomika Ferguson, phd

Assistant Dean and Assistant Professor, School of Education at Virginia Commonwealth University

Jess Kirby, PhD headshot.

Jessica Kirby, phd

Associate Director, Center for Critical Sports Studies, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

Amanda Stanec headshot.

Amanda Stanec, phd

Founder, MOVE+LIVE+LEARN Youth Development Researcher & Writer

2022 Testimonials

TrueSport Talk Testimonial: "Well-rounded discussion panels. Loved hearing from the athletes as well as the professionals in mental health fields. The atmosphere of the whole seminar was very affirming. Had never heard of this organization before and just happened to open an email I received and was intrigued by what I saw on the website. So glad I signed up for the seminar." - Kim B.
TrueSport Talk Testimonial: "I enjoyed the various speakers. The issues that were discussed and the solutions. I appreciate that athletes shared personal experiences and struggles on this free event. I appreciate that I was able to get this information for free. To have professional athlete and coaches and other professionals present is a privilege. Thank you TrueSport." James B.
TrueSport Talks testimonials: "It was very informative and had honest conversation about youth athletes and mental health. The speakers also gave practical ideas on how to approach young people about their performance and how it can lead to an increase or decrease in their mental health." - Allison N.
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Corey Robinson

Corey Robinson headshot.Corey Robinson
Emcee; NBC Sports Host & Reporter; Division I Football, Notre Dame

Corey Robinson, an NBC Sports host and reporter, serves as a sideline reporter for the 2022 USFL season. A former Notre Dame wide receiver, he joined NBC Sports in Jan. 2020.

Robinson has worked the past two Olympic Games with NBC Sports, serving as a curling reporter at the Beijing Olympics following his Olympic debut as a sportsdesk reporter during the Tokyo Olympics.

Robinson contributes to a variety of properties across the NBC Sports portfolio on linear, digital and social platforms, serving as host of the ND on NBC Podcast and as an analyst on Atlantic 10 basketball.

A 2017 graduate from the University of Notre Dame, Robinson was a wide receiver on the Fighting Irish football team from 2013-2015, was named a first-team Academic All-American, and was awarded the Notre Dame Knute Rockne Student-Athlete Award in 2014. In 2016-17, he became the first-ever Notre Dame football player to serve as student body president.

Robinson is the son of Hall of Fame basketball player David Robinson.

Cailin Bracken

Cailin Bracken headshot.Cailin Bracken
Division I Lacrosse, Vanderbilt University

Cailin Bracken is a junior at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and is an attacker on the school’s Division I women’s lacrosse team. Having grown up in a lacrosse family in northern New Jersey, Cailin grew up surrounded by expectations that she would become an elite athlete. By age 16, Cailin was ranked by Inside Lacrosse as one of the top-20 attack recruits in the country and earned accolades ranging from academic recognition to the Under-Armour All America tournament honors. A longtime mental health advocate on her personal blog @kalewithcail on Instagram and her website ownyourstory.community, in the spring of 2022, Cailin penned an inspiring message titled ‘A Letter to College Sports’ in which she discussed her own experience with mental health challenges as a student-athlete, and urged readers to reconsider their perspective on vulnerability, failure, mental toughness, and compassion as it pertains to the student-athlete experience. Cailin’s letter has been shared by numerous national media outlets including a feature on Good Morning America, and the piece was listed as the #3 most read piece in US Lacrosse Magazine in 2022. 

Kevin Chapman, PhD

Kevin Chapman, PhD headshot.Kevin Chapman, PhD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Founder
Kentucky Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders

Dr. Chapman is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, founder and director of the Kentucky Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders (KYCARDS) where he specializes in the assessment and treatment of anxiety and related disorders. Dr. Chapman is a Diplomate and Certified by the Academy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapies (A-CBT), and is a internationally recognized expert in the implementation of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety and related disorders. Additionally, Dr. Chapman serves on the Editorial Board for the Oxford University Press Treatments That Work treatment series, which includes evidence-based treatment protocols for training mental health professionals and treatment workbooks to assist clients throughout treatment. Dr. Chapman is also known for his expertise as it relates to the intersection of multiculturalism and mental health. Similarly, Dr. Chapman has published numerous papers in scientific journals and has written several book chapters. Dr. Chapman is a Faculty member for the Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) for the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) and serves on its Clinical and Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Chapman serves on several Editorial Boards including the Journal of Anxiety Disorders and Clinical Child and Family Psychologist Review. Additionally, Dr. Chapman is a Media Psychologist and regularly contributes to and serves as a consultant for multiple media outlets including A&E and other production companies. Most recently, Dr. Chapman was the Program Expert on the hit series My Strange Addiction: Still Addicted as well as Seasons 1 and 2 of A&E’s hit show 60 Days In. Dr. Chapman has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, US News and World Report, USA Today, Sports Illustrated, NBC Health, Bloomberg Business Week, Men’s Health, and numerous other outlets including the Nick News documentary Worried Sick: Living with Anxiety, a feature on adolescent anxiety. Dr. Chapman previously served as an Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology. Dr. Chapman completed a BS in Psychology from Centre College, a MS in Clinical Psychology from Eastern Kentucky University, and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Louisville.

Professional Sports Background

Dr. Chapman also serves as a Mental Health Expert for TrueSport, a subsidiary for the United States Antidoping Agency (USADA) and is a recognized expert in sports performance and mental health, particularly in the areas of anxiety and emotion regulation in athletes. Dr. Chapman also serves as the Team Psychologist for the Louisville City Football Club (USL) and the Racing Louisville Football Club (NWSL) and regularly appears on numerous podcasts that highlight the necessity of mental skills in sports as well as navigating performance anxiety. Dr. Chapman previously served on the Performance Team for the University of Louisville Department of Athletics.  Dr. Chapman was a two-sport collegiate athlete (track and field, football) and was inducted into the Centre College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2020.

Deborah Gilboa, MD

Dr. Deborah Gilboa headshot.Deborah Gilboa, MD
Board-Certified Family Physician
AskDoctorG.com

Resilience expert Deborah Gilboa, MD, aka “Dr. G” works with families, organizations, and businesses to identify the mindset and strategies to turn stress to an advantage. Renowned for her contagious humor, Dr. G works with groups across multiple generations, to rewire their attitudes and beliefs, and create resilience through personal accountability and a completely different approach to adversity. She is a leading media personality seen regularly on TODAY, Good Morning America and The Doctors. She is also featured frequently in the Washington Post, The New York Times, Authority Magazine, and countless other digital and print outlets.  Dr. G is board certified attending family physician and is fluent in American Sign Language. She lives in Pittsburgh with her four sons. 

Erin Haugen, PhD, LP, CMPC

Erin Haugen headshot.Erin Haugen, PhD, LP, CMPC
Director, Mental Health and Performance Psychology
University of North Dakota

Erin Haugen, PhD, LP, CMPC, is the Director of Mental Health and Performance Psychology for the University of North Dakota Athletics and Sports Medicine Departments and Founder and CEO of Haugen Performance Consulting. She has over 15 years of experience in elite sport focusing on mental health and performance psychology. Dr. Haugen specializes in working with athletic departments, student-athletes, coaches, staff, sports medicine professionals, and licensed mental health professionals at the collegiate level. She is also an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Psychology at the University of North Dakota where she provides training to PhD candidates in psychological assessment and sport psychology. As a Licensed Psychologist, Certified Mental Performance Consultant ®, and athlete herself, she understands all aspects of the elite athlete environment. In her spare time, Dr. Haugen competes in triathlons and enjoys camping and hiking with her husband and three border collie mix rescue dogs: Fromm, Eddie, and Bella.

Geoff Kelly

Geoff Kelly headshot.Geoff Kelly
Mesa Ridge High School Basketball Coach

After graduating high school in 2016, Geoff was fortunate enough to commit to the University of Colorado Colorado Springs and play basketball for the Mountain Lions for 6 years, 5 of which he was a captain. He was also a 5-year leader on the student-athlete advisory committee. He was awarded the UCCS Athletic Director award in 2019 and was named the UCCS Male student-athlete of the year in 2022. During this time, he finished his undergrad degree in Finance in 2020 and went straight into his MBA, which he finished in 2022.

Although he enjoyed everything about UCCS, his career didn’t come without adversity. Between his sophomore and junior years, Geoff tore his ACL and was on the receiving end of 3 different knee surgeries. These surgeries resulted in a year and a half of rehab that forced him to detach from the game of basketball. Like many athletes in similar situations, in his mind he felt distant from his team and was unable to free his mind in the only way he understood, playing basketball. He felt that he had lost who he was because of these injuries. However, with the support of great mentors around him, he was able to understand how much more he was than just a basketball player.

Now, Geoff runs a financial planning practice in Colorado Springs and coaches basketball at Mesa Ridge High School. This past year, the Grizzlies won the 5A state title and finished the season 28-0.

Jess Kirby, PhD

Jess Kirby, PhD headshot.Jess Kirby, PhD
Associate Director, Center for Critical Sports Studies, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

Dr. Kirby is a Colorado native that enjoys staying active with her husband and two daughters. She received her Master’s degree in Health Promotion from UCCS, and her PhD in Sport and Exercise Science with an emphasis in Social Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity from the University of Northern Colorado. As an assistant professor at UCCS, Dr. Kirby teaches the psychosocial and behavioral aspects of sport, health, and wellness to include Sport Psychology and Health Behavior Theory for undergraduate and graduate students. Dr. Kirby’s research focuses on exploring the sport and physical activity experiences of individuals across the lifespan, as well as the impact of social connection and peer relationships on psychological well-being in sport and physical activity settings. Dr. Kirby currently serves as Assistant Director for the Center for Critical Sport Studies and is the project director for the new Mountain Lion Strong program funded by the NCAA Innovations in Research and Practice grant. Mountain Lion Strong is a comprehensive psychoeducation program being developed for student-athletes at UCCS to support student-athlete well-being, resilience, and mental health.

Michael Krueger, Ed. S., CMAA

Michael Kreuger headshot.Michael Krueger, Ed.S., CMAA
Commissioner, Colorado High School Activities Association

As Commissioner of the Colorado High School Activities Association, Michael Krueger and his team oversee the administration and oversight of athletic and activity programs for Colorado’s 363-member high schools.  Krueger’s career spans over 30 years in public education as an administrator, athletic/activities director, counselor, teacher and coach.  He most recently served as the Senior Director of Education for National Governing Body USA Football where his team led the evolution and design of the Football Development Model (FDM). The FDM is based on long-term athlete development principles and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s American Development Model.

The Colorado native has earned numerous awards for his work, including the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) State Award of Merit and he has also received the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) Citation Award.

A former assistant professor at Metro State University Denver, Mike is also a member of the National Teaching Faculty for the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA).

Bhrett McCabe, PhD

Bhrett McCabeBhrett McCabe, PhD
Founder, The Mindside

Dr. Bhrett McCabe is the founder of The MindSide, a center for Sports and Performance Psychology, and trusted advisor for the top performing competitors in the country. Dr. McCabe combines his personal experience as a 2x National Champion Division I athlete, his training as a licensed clinical psychologist, and his corporate leadership experience to help competitors achieve an elite performance mindset. Dr. McCabe develops personalized strategies and processes to help athletes and businesses achieve success at the highest levels. Dr. McCabe serves as the Sports & Performance Psychologist for elite-level athletes, corporate leaders, and teams including The University of Alabama Athletics, PGA Tour, NFL, and NBA. Dr. McCabe’s strategies are also trusted by high-achieving businesses including multiple Fortune 500 organizations, Andrews Sports Medicine, and Titlest Performance Institute.  

Dr. McCabe is the author of The MindSide Manifesto: The Urgency to Create a Competitive Mindset which he has developed in order to help athletes, coaches, and leaders compete to the best of their ability. Dr. McCabe also hosts a weekly podcast entitled “The Secrets to Winning” and has published several academic journal articles, presented numerous scientific presentations, as well as provided insight and authored articles for trade magazines such as GOLF Magazine, Golf World, Golf Week, and ESPNW, among others. Dr. McCabe has made several appearances on The Golf Channel’s Morning Drive and The Golf Fix.

 Dr. McCabe’s latest endeavor is called Catalyst School, where Dr. McCabe provides weekly, live coaching sessions via Zoom for anyone who is a catalyst for others- coaches and business leaders alike. More information can be found at www.bhrettmccabe.com/catalyst-school.

Charley Nordin, PLY

Charley Nordin headshot.Charley Nordin
Paralympic Silver Medalist
Division I Rowing, Gonzaga

Charley Nordin is a Paralympic silver medalist who obtained his master’s degree in sociology this year. Having performed at some of the highest levels of sport he has experienced first-hand the intense strain and resulting struggle that training and competition can have on an athlete’s mental health. As a four year member of Gonzaga’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee, he spent countless hours working with and advising both fellow athletes and administrative members on the best ways in which to address the challenges young adults face in balancing both athletics and academics. It is his hope that through having conversations with the next generation of athletes, the stigma surrounding the topic of mental health can work to be diminished. 

Lt Col Stephen Pipes, USAF, Ret

Steve Pipes headshot.
Lt Col Stephen Pipes, USAF, Ret 
Head Football Coach, College Prep School

Steve Pipes is the head football coach of the Air Force Prep Huskies.  Pipes is a 1998 graduate of the Air Force Academy, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in social science.  He was a three-year letterman in football as a defensive back and led the team in interceptions in 1996.  An all-Western Athletic Conference selection, he was on teams that won three Commander-in Chief’s Trophies, one of the school’s three Conference championships, and helped lead the 1997 team to a 10-win season.  His coaching career began at the United States Air Force Academy Prep School where he served as the secondary coach, defensive coordinator and head coach.  As the secondary coach, Pipes developed All-American Reggie Rembert and Mountain West Conference first- and second- team selections Jon Davis and Anthony Wright.  Pipes, again returned to the United States Air Force Academy as the assistant defensive line coach and head JV Coach/defensive coordinator.  Under his mentorship, the defensive line produced a two-time All-Mountain West Conference player in Alex Hansen while Ryan Watson led the conference in sacks en route to first-team honors.

Previous to his return to the Air Force Academy Prep School, Coach Pipes was the Kentucky State University defensive coordinator and linebackers coach where he was involved in defensive game planning and execution and preparation of special teams.  Additionally, he was the program’s liaison for player academic affairs and mentorship opportunities.  During his first season 35 players achieved over a 3.5 GPA while three were selected to the conference All-Academic team.

Coach Pipes is an Air Force combat veteran with over 20 years of military experience and holds a master’s degree in administrative leadership from Central Michigan University.  Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, he is a graduate of Wyoming High School where he is a member of the school’s athletic Hall of Fame.  He and his wife, Candice, have three children, Thair, Sienna and Stephen.

Allison Schmitt, OLY

Allison Schmitt headshot.Allison Schmitt, OLY
10-Time Olympic Medalist, Mental Health Advocate

One of the most decorated American athletes of all-time, Allison Schmitt is a four-time Olympian and 10-time Olympic medalist. A veteran leader, Schmitt was named captain of the 2020 USA Swimming Team in Tokyo, a role she also held for the 2016 Rio Games. Out of the pool, she is an avid mental health advocate, speaking out about her personal struggles with depression and her family’s tragedy of losing a loved one to suicide. As an Advisory Council Member for the Michael Phelps Foundation, Schmitt works to help educate on the importance of water safety and mental health. Passionate about raising awareness and helping those who are battling mental health issues, Schmitt earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Georgia, is completing her Master’s degree in Social Work from Arizona State University and plans to pursue a career in mental health after leaving the pool.

Melissa Streno, PsyD

Melissa Streno headshot.Melissa Streno, PsyD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Lantern Psychology

Dr. Melissa Streno earned a PsyD in clinical psychology (2015) and an MA in sport and performance psychology (2010) from the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology. She completed her pre-doctoral internship training with Psychological Resources for OU Student-Athletes (PROS) at The University of Oklahoma. Upon moving back to her native city of Denver, Colo., Streno completed her postdoctoral fellowship within an eating disorder treatment program focusing on developing and leading a track designed specifically for athletes. She spent three years as a primary therapist in the eating disorder partial hospitalization program before venturing into full-time private practice with Lantern Psychology as a licensed psychologist in Colorado. She continues to teach as an Adjunct Professor in the Sport and Performance Psychology Program at the University of Denver as well.

Streno is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology and has consulted with youth, high school, collegiate, elite, and Olympic athletes from a variety of sport and performance domains, including dancers and musicians, as well as those active in a business setting. Areas of expertise include, but are not limited to eating disorders, disordered eating, body image distress, anxiety, depression, and life/relationship transitions. Additionally, she helps those leaving a performance realm maintain valuable parts of their identity and connect with purpose to develop a genuine relationship with food, exercise, and their body.

 

Charron Sumler

Charron Sumler headshot.Charron Sumler
Athletic Counselor, The Ohio State University Athletics

Charron has worked as an athletic counselor at The Ohio State University Athletics since 2019. In addition to providing individual/team clinical services and coach/staff consultation in athletics, as assistant director Charron oversees the daily clinical operations of the sport psychology team. Charron previously worked at the University of Texas, where she coordinated services and resources for university students in crisis situations. Charron is passionate about creating sport cultures that are safe for all athletes and ensuring that marginalized student athletes have a voice. Charron played four years of collegiate basketball and specializes in multicultural counseling, trauma, anxiety and depression. She has 10 years of counseling, leadership and case management experience and is currently completing a PhD in Counselor Education from The Ohio State University. 

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Candice Williams, PhD

Candice Williams headshot.Candice Williams, PhD
Director, Mind Health and Wellness
Boston Celtics

A nationally recognized researcher and mental health professional, Candice Williams, Ph.D. is a Texas native in Boston Massachusetts specializing in mental health counseling and sport performance. She currently serves as the Director of Mind Health and Wellness for the Boston Celtics. Previously, Dr. Williams served as an Athletics Counselor at The Ohio State University Athletics Department – Sports Psychology & Wellness Services where she provided psychotherapy and consultation services to student-athletes, coaches and athletic support staff. Prior to transitioning to college athletics, Dr. Williams served as a Program Manager for The Trust (Powered by the NFLPA). There, she assisted retired NFL players in all aspects of their transition following the success of their NFL career.

As a mental health professional, not only does she lead with care, but she also embodies the spirit of service and advocacy while supporting the well-being of athletes. Her passions include developing player centric programs focused on athlete development and transition, content creation on mental health related topics, as well as providing preventative and responsive training to coaches, parents, mental health professionals, and athletics staff on the importance of athlete mental health and wellness.

Over the past 10 years, Dr. Williams has crafted a respected career and professional reputation supporting the personal and emotional development of athletes at various levels of their athletic careers. An experienced mental health professional Dr. Williams is dedicated to building transformational relationships with stakeholders (i.e., athletes, coaches, sports medicine staff, sports performance staff) and developing innovative ways to foster access between athletes and mental health services. 

She has been featured in popular press publications such as ESPN CollegeDay, Men’s Health Magazine, NCAA Champion Magazine, and USA Today – Sports. Dr. Williams is committed to elevating the conversations about mental health and sports performance. She’s a huge advocate for “training the body from the neck up and not just the neck down.” She is passionate about helping athletes move beyond the stigma associated with mental health and towards prioritizing their minds and bodies too.

Jay Coakley, PhD

Jay Coakley headshot.Jay Coakley, PhD
Professor Emeritus of Sociology, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

Jay Coakley is Professor Emeritus of sociology at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. He was the founding editor of the Sociology of Sport Journal and is an internationally respected scholar. His textbook, Sports in Society: Issues and Controversies (13th edition, 2021), along with multiple adaptations and translations, is used in universities worldwide. He co-edited Inside Sports with Peter Donnelly and the Handbook of Sports Studies with Eric Dunning. He continues to do research and consulting focused primarily on making sports more democratic and humane for people of all ages and abilities.

Eddie Comeaux, PhD

Eddie Comeaux headshot.Eddie Comeaux, PhD
Executive Director, Center for Athletes’ Rights and Equity at UC Riverside

Dr. Eddie Comeaux is a professor and founding executive director of the Center for Athletes’ Rights and Equity (CARE) at UC Riverside, where racial equity and policy issues in higher education are central to his work. Comeaux has authored more than 80 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and other academic publications and reports. He has also published five books, including: College Athletes’ Rights and Well-Being: Critical Perspectives on Policy and Practice (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2017), and has consulted with a variety of for-profit and non-profit organizations on equity and diversity strategies. Comeaux’s work has been featured or quoted in the Wall Street Journal, NPR, HuffPost, Forbes, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Chronicle of Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed, Diverse Issues in Higher Education, and many other outlets. For his scholarly work, in April 2019, he received the Outstanding Contribution Award from AERA’s Research Focus on Education and Sport Special Interest Group (SIG). The year prior, in April 2018, he received the Dr. Carlos J. Vallejo Memorial Award for Exemplary Scholarship from AERA’s Multicultural/Multiethnic Education SIG. Prior to earning his Ph.D., he was drafted out of the University of California, Berkeley in the amateur free draft by the Texas Rangers baseball organization– and spent four years playing professionally.

Tomika Ferguson, PhD

Tomika Ferguson headshot.Tomika Ferguson, PhD
Assistant Dean and Assistant Professor, School of Education at Virginia Commonwealth University

Dr. Tomika Ferguson is the assistant dean for student affairs and inclusive excellence and an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership in the School of Education at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Ferguson’s research centers on the intersection of race, gender, sport, and educational equity. Additionally, she explores the influence of equity-minded practice within the professional development of educational and sports leaders.

Her work has been published or featured in the Journal of College Student Development, College Student Affairs Journal, Journal of Research in Leadership Education, and Diverse Issues in Higher Education. Dr. Ferguson is the founder of the Black Athlete Sister Circle (BASC), a holistic development program for Black women student-athletes in higher education institutions. She has professional experience in college access, enrollment management, student affairs, and community engagement. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia, and her master’s and doctoral degrees from Indiana University – Bloomington.

Amanda Stanec, PhD

Amanda Stanec headshot.Amanda Stanec, PhD
Founder, MOVE+LIVE+LEARN
Youth Development Researcher & Writer

Dr. Amanda Stanec was born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada where she attended and played soccer for St. Francis Xavier University. 

Upon moving to the US, she attended Virginia Commonwealth University where she attained a Masters of Science with an emphasis in Physical Education and Sport Psychology. Completely devoted to her field, she enrolled in a PhD program in Kinesiology within the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia where she was recognized as the outstanding doctoral student in her graduating year. Amanda was honored as the 2016 young alumna of the year by St. Francis Xavier University.

Further achievements include the publication of more than twenty articles as well as co-authoring several book chapters related to physical education, sport, health, and wellness topics. She has served on the Board of Directors for Physical and Health Education (PHE) Canada and is well-respected for her contributions as Lead Writer for provincial wide physical education curriculum, university kinesiology and teacher education courses, and youth sport leadership and positive youth development programs. Most recently, Amanda has led projects on behalf of the International Olympic Committee, the Association of the Summer Olympic International Federations, Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation, United World Wrestling, NFL Play 60, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and PHE Canada. She continues to travel extensively to educate and inspire through her relatable and humorous keynote presentations.

Goal-Setting Lesson Video Transcript

Hi. I’m Trevon, Trey, Jennifer. Team USA wheelchair basketball player, paralympian, and true sport athlete. Today, I want to talk to you about goal setting. And there are three things that I would like you to know. First, successful athletes set goals and a planned roadmap. Second, goals should be written down, assessed over time, and changed if necessary. And third, goals need to be challenging in order to be worthwhile. As a freshmen at Edinboro University, I was a part of a team that made the national championship game. And at that time I recognized I was the low man on the totem pole, but I felt in my heart that I knew my dreams were so much bigger than winning a national title. I wanted to make Team USA. I knew what achieving my lofty goal was not going to be easy and that I would need to work hard every day.

So, as a reminder, I created a pyramid of goals that I kept right above my bed. This pyramid reminded me of the accomplishments that I was working towards and visually represented my need to create a solid foundation underneath me before reaching the top. In the bottom roll of my pyramid of goals I listed goals such as obtaining my bachelor’s degree, becoming a scholar athlete award recipient, and becoming an All-American. The middle row listed winning a national title and playing for a professional team. And at the top row, the most challenging of them all, I listed becoming a gold medalist for Team USA.

By understanding that there are smaller stepping stones to achieving my ultimate goal of being on Team USA, I was able to stay motivated and to stay focused on completing the smaller stepping stones fully before moving onto the next one. Now I’ll be the first to admit that not every goal that I listed on my pyramid was accomplished, but seeing my goals every day when I went to bed, I was able to push through the days that I felt like doing nothing in hopes of achieving the bigger picture. Remember, create a clear goal roadmap, assess your goals often, and continue to challenge yourself. I hope that you never stopped dreaming big or reaching for the stars. And I look forward to seeing where your roadmap takes you.

Body Image Lesson Video Transcript

Hi, I’m Kara Winger, Olympic javelin thrower, and true sport athlete. Today I want to talk to you about body image and I have three things I’d like you to know. First, healthy thoughts often lead to healthier bodies. Second, there are varying body types and no one’s body is exactly like another. And third, true beauty goes deeper than the skin. As a multi-time Olympian, I’ve experienced a lot of variation and progression in my training. My coaches and I adapt to my training frequently, all with the goal of supporting my long-term success and health in the sport of javelin. I’m talking to you about body image today because sometimes even with the best of intentions and a common goal in mind, the changes you make to your training habits can prove to be detrimental if made for the wrong reasons. In the lead up to the 2012 Olympic trials, I was told in order to improve my performance on the field, I should try to become a leaner, skinnier version of myself.

So I changed my diet. I went along with what I was being told to do, even though I’d had great success at a slightly heavier weight and higher body fat percentage, and became much leaner than ever before. It seemed like a successful change at first, but I didn’t have nearly the results I’d had before. And I believe becoming leaner than my body naturally wanted to be was what caused my ACL to tear. In the end, it cost me heavily going into the 2012 London games. The takeaway for me, and hopefully for you, is that it’s important to know what works for you and your body and to not compare yourself to others. You should do your research and experiment with your diet to find what makes you feel the best, rather than focusing on what you look like. Today, if I feel like having a chocolate chip cookie, I have one, just not every day.

I’ve learned what a properly balanced meal for my body looks like and I recognize food as the fuel that keeps me throwing. I hydrate and allow myself time to recover. And I listen to and communicate with my body so that I can be the best version of myself. In the end, you are in control of how you see, treat, and respond to your body. We only get one and it’s amazing to discover how many things our bodies can do. Be a true sport athlete. Love who you are in this moment and get excited for all the places your body will take you.

A Good Sport Lesson Video Transcript

Hi, I’m Izy Isaksen, Team USA, Modern Pentathlon, Olympian, US Army Sergeant, and True Sport Ambassador. Today, I want to talk to you about being a good sport. There are three things I’d like you to know. First, real winners act the same toward their opponent, whether they win or lose. Second, follow the rules and be a gracious winner and respectful loser. And third, sportsmanship reveals your true character.

I started competing in Modern Pentathlon eight years after my older sister and three-time Olympian, Margaux Isaksen, began competing. I soon realized that people often compared the two of us. I would overhear spectators and teammates asking, “Who’s the better athlete,” and “Who’s going to beat the other.” Instead of letting outside pressures create a negative experience for us, I chose to practice winning and losing with grace and respect. I know that it would have been easy to let our hyper competitive mindset affect our relationship, but instead we decided to support and cheer for each other, regardless of our own performance. My experience of competing against and being compared to my older sister, taught me to focus on how to perform at my best, rather than putting wasted energy into wishing for others to fail.

I believe that sportsmanship reveals true character. So, no matter what situation I encounter during competition, I know it’s important to always treat people with respect and be a good sport. Remember, be a fierce competitor, find grace in all your victories and losses. And I hope to see you out there.

What Kind of Coach Do You Want to Be? Video Transcript

Edwin Moses: You’re a coach. Maybe what you want is very simple, for everyone to just run in the right direction, score for their own team, to try and try again and again. Maybe you want your athletes to become all stars. You want them to earn trophies, medals, win titles. You want them to reach the highest height their sport allows. And wanting all of that, of course, that’s good. But as every great coach discovers, developing a great athlete means nurturing, nurturing the even greater person within. Truth is, you have even more influence than you know.

You have the ability to affect even deeper change, to take what’s in your hands and do something even more extraordinary. You can be both the coach who provides the skills needed to win the game and the coach who helps them learn and succeed beyond the sport, to become all stars wherever they land in the future, and to enjoy their lives more now, because the confidence and courage they find working with you will stay with them when they need it the most. There are games to be won, lives to change. Coaches have the power to do both.

I’m Edwin Moses, and the lessons I’ve learned through sport have challenged me, guided me, and shaped my life forever. What kind of coach do you want to be?

THE SIMPLE TRUTH: DECODING THE SUPPLEMENT INDUSTRY VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

At first glance, dietary supplements look the same. They seem safe and healthy, but just because the label says a product is a dietary supplement, that doesn’t mean it’s safe. Unfortunately, you can’t tell whether a product is safe or not just by looking at the label. Most vitamins, minerals, fish oil, and other supplements containing nutrients are probably just fine, but supplements are not evaluated or approved by FDA before they are sold. Although it is rare for vitamins or minerals to be contaminated with drugs, there has been at least one case of a vitamin containing an anabolic steroid.

At the other extreme are products that contain drugs, stimulants, anabolic steroids, or other hormones. Even though these are not technically dietary supplements, many of them are labeled as supplements. For example, body-building products sometimes contain anabolic steroids or Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators, known as SARMs, or other hormones. Some pre-workout or energy products contain illegal stimulants like DMAA, ephedra, or other amphetamine-like stimulants. Weight loss products might contain prescription drugs like sibutramine, or hormones, like human chorionic gonadotropin, also known as hCG. All natural or herbal sexual enhancement products might contain hormones or Viagra-like drugs. Products like these can harm your health and career, but they’re for sale online, in some nutrition stores, and they’re labeled as dietary supplements.

When you pick up a supplement, especially one that promises performance enhancement, you don’t know if it belongs in the “Mostly O.K.” pile or in the “Dangerous” pile. After all, two products might look the same, but one might contain just amino acids and other legitimate ingredients, while the other also contains anabolic steroids. Because of this, FDA has issued a warning about certain categories of supplements: body building products, weight loss products, and sexual enhancement products. Be extremely careful when considering a supplement in one of these categories. We strongly recommend that you avoid products in these categories.

Even when FDA tests supplements and finds dangerous ingredients, companies sometimes refuse to recall them. Sometimes, they simply repackage their product and continue selling it under a new name. Just because a product is on a store shelf doesn’t mean it is safe. You need to do your research and be an informed consumer. The dietary supplement industry is enormous. Supplements that appear to be safe could actually be dangerous products in disguise. If you use dietary supplements without doing your research, you may be taking serious risks with your health and your career. Please visit USADA’s Supplement 411 for more information about dietary supplements.