Why Should You Register?
Sport has immense potential to build resilient, mentally healthy communities. Beyond physical benefits, it fosters holistic wellness and life skills that last beyond competition. But as athlete stories and national data highlight a growing mental health crisis, sport must acknowledge its role, embrace change, and lead with proactive, collaborative solutions to support the next generation.
- FREE to Attend…BECAUSE we believe access to sport opportunities should be available to all athletes and families.
- Practical guidance from leading experts…BECAUSE we believe there are evidence-based practices to a positive sport experience.
- Broadcasting live from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum…BECAUSE we believe in the values of the Olympic & Paralympic movement.
- Join Olympic, Paralympic, and National team athletes to discuss mental wellness…BECAUSE athlete voices matter.
Event Schedule Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Session 1 –Voices of Resilience: Anna Hall’s Perspective on Mental Health
Opening and Welcome
8:30-8:45 a.m.
Speakers: Anna Hall, OLY, Deborah Gilboa, MD (Moderator)
8:45-9:15 a.m.
Lean into the power of resilience with Olympian Anna Hall as she shares her inspiring journey, unveiling both the challenges and triumphs of mental wellness at the highest levels of competition. In this engaging session, discover firsthand how the support and culture within sport systems can be a game-changer for athlete well-being. Join us to learn why reimagining our approach to athlete mental health isn’t just necessary—it’s vital for empowering future champions to thrive both on and off the field.
Session 2 – It Takes a Village: Finding Synergies in Systems
Speakers: Kathryn Ames, MA, NCC, LPC, Dennis Coonan, MSE, LAT, ATC, Kym Hilinski, Deb Mahan, Jessica Bartley, PsyD, MSSW, LP, LCSW, CMPC (Moderator/USOPC)
9:15-10:15 a.m.
This dynamic session brings together philanthropy, non-profit sport leadership, healthcare professionals, and mental health advocates to unlock the power of collaboration in advancing athlete mental health. Through real-world examples, we’ll explore where systemic challenges exist and how cross-sector partnerships can drive culture change, expand resources, break stigma, and deliver integrated care that supports athletes on and off the field. Participants will walk away with practical strategies to spark synergy, sustain momentum, and champion a sport system where mental wellbeing is a winning priority.
Coffee Break
10:15-10:30 a.m.
Session 3 – The Psychology of Striving: Why Athletes Need to Set Ambitious Goals, Face Fear, Fumble, and Move Forward
Speaker: Kevin Chapman, PhD
10:30-10:50 a.m.
Dive into the science behind the unexpected power of failure, unpacking how setbacks on the field fuel resilience, learning, and personal evolution for athletes. Grounded in psychological best-practice, we’ll reveal what experts know about why reframing mistakes as crucial building blocks unlocks mental toughness and lasting success. Join us to discover a licensed clinical psychologist’s insights for coaching athletes through adversity, fostering a growth mindset, and transforming defeat into a launchpad for greatness.
Session 4 – Workshop | The Champion’s Mindset: Failing Forward, Succeeding with Strength
Speakers: Aaron Dinin, PhD, Abby Raymond, Trey Jenifer, PLY
10:50 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
What does selling a Jolly Rancher for $100 have to do with winning a major sporting event? Have you ever let a fear of failure get in the way of accomplishing your goals? Have you ever tried to help someone after they failed only to have it end with more anger, frustration, and defeat?
Dr. Aaron Dinin explores these questions and more in his course called “Learning to Fail” at Duke University and is bringing his unique approach to helping students reset their relationship with failure in a fun and engaging interactive workshop. Through Deviant LearningTM techniques, he has helped reshape hundreds of students’ perspectives on failure via fun challenges that he has documented on his social media feeds. During this interactive workshop he’ll apply the same principles and challenges to the athletic community: athletes, parents, and coaches so that you come away with a framework to remove failure as an inhibition to success and support yourself and your teams with more compassion and creativity as you face failures in your daily lives.
Working Lunch (during Session 4)
12:00-12:30 p.m.
Coffee Break
1:30-1:40 p.m.
Session 5 – Strong Minds. Stronger Athletes: The Science and Strength of Building Intentional, Healthy Sport Systems
Speaker: Jess Kirby, PhD
1:40-2:00 p.m.
Every stakeholder in sport plays a crucial role in shaping systems that not only pursue competitive excellence but also prioritize the overall well-being of athletes. A truly successful sport environment supports both physical and mental health, recognizing that healthy athletes are best equipped to reach their goals and fulfill their potential. Hear what the research says about building sport communities that care, commit, and drive meaningful change for the future.
Session 6 – Beyond Good Intentions: Turning Consensus into Action for Athlete Well-being
Speakers: Mark Hilinski, Lesley Irvine, Jess Kirby, PhD, Daryn Ofori-Kuragu, Charron Sumler, PhD, LPCC (Moderator)
2:00-3:00 p.m.
While there is growing consensus among sport stakeholders about the critical importance of mental wellbeing, turning that awareness into meaningful action remains a significant challenge. Too often, good intentions are met with systemic barriers, lack of resources, or fragmented efforts. This panel session moves beyond discussion to highlight real-world examples where collaboration, clear communication, and commitment to athlete-centered approaches have led to measurable improvements in athlete wellbeing—both mentally and physically.
Closing
3:00-3:15 p.m.
Guest Speakers
What People Are Saying
It was very informative and had an 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.
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 athletes and coaches, and other professionals present is a privilege. Thank you TrueSport.
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.
Wow, wow, wow….and wow!!…The passion, love, care, and commitment to youth sport that the speakers and panelists conveyed today were inspiring and contagious!
As a former Olympic coach, I am just gobsmacked at the work TrueSport is doing and gratified that you all are leading the way for athlete well-being.
Mental health is not linear, and it is important to continue to have these conversations so that we are able to provide a healthy environment within sport for the youth.
