The Mental Matchup

In this week’s episode of the Mental Matchup, Kat chats with Mary Griffin - Virginia Tech Women’s Lacrosse Defender, Morgan’s Message Ambassador and host of Not a 10 Podcast. Mary and Kat talk about playing at a Virginia Tech, kicking cancer’s ass, and little things she does to help keep herself grounded and focused. Mary’s podcast, Not a Ten, is a podcast focused on highlighting stories of humans...

n this week’s episode of the Mental Matchup, Kat chats with Lizzie Colson - Maryland Women’s Lacrosse Defender, IWCLA Defender of the Year, Tewaaraton Finalist, 2x National Champion, Morgan’s Message Ambassador and host of The LineUp Podcast.  Lizzie and Kat talk about playing at a dynasty like Maryland, overcoming injury, and how to support teammates or players who may be injured. Lizzie’s p...

In our latest episode of The Mental Matchup, Schuyler talks with Camille Esnault (former D1 fencer) about her the intersection of mental health and being a first-generation American, her experience with depression and anxiety as well as her struggle with the idea that her own mental health struggles were not valid enough to warrant medical attention. You can read more about the podcast at www.them...

In this week’s episode of the Mental Matchup, Kat chats with Emily Perrin (former D1 soccer player, former D1 coach and CEO/Founder of Perrin Wellness and Performance) as well as, Jules Heningburg, (former D1 Lacrosse and current PLL player, founder of Juke Lab, Mission Primed, and the Black Lacrosse Alliance). The three discuss mindfulness and tools athletes can implement into their everyday rout...

⚠️ Content warning: This week's episode contains references to anxiety, depression, and suicidal thinking. On this week’s episode of the Mental Matchup, guest host Dona Rodgers talks with Elaine Anton about her experience as a parent with her son’s mental health journey. They dive into the emotions that surround having a child who is suffering. With keeping the mission of Morgan’s Message in focus...

⚠️ Content warning: This week's episode contains references to anxiety, depression, suicidal thinking, and attempted suicide. On this week’s episode of the Mental Matchup, we chat with former D1 lacrosse player Lauren Hickman. Lauren opens up about her experience with depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicidal ideation and explains the impact mental illness has had on her relationships, her athle...

The Mental Matchup, Episode 9: Lauren Hickman (Part 1).   ⚠️ Trigger warning: Sensitive topics are discussed in this episode. On this week’s episode of the Mental Matchup, we chat with former D1 lacrosse player Lauren Hickman. Lauren opens up about her experience with depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicidal ideation and explains the impact mental illness has had on her relationships,...

The Mental Matchup, Episode 8: Mike Olim. ⚠️ Trigger warning: Sensitive topics are discussed in this episode. On this week’s episode of the Mental Matchup, our co-host Schuyler interviews Mike Olim. Mike is the founder and Director of Operations at Advanced Physical & Technical Training, or AP2T. Mike has worked with athletes of all ages and levels, and is known for being able to get athletes...

The Mental Matchup, Episode 7: Natalie Marsh. ⚠️ Trigger warning: Sensitive topics are discussed in this episode. This episode contains references to disordered eating and anxiety. On this week’s episode of the Mental Matchup, our co-host Schuyler interviews collegiate runner Natalie Marsh. In addition to talking about Natalie’s career as a runner, she shares invaluable insights into her journey i...

The Mental Matchup, Episode 6: Morgan Gott. ⚠️ Trigger warning: Sensitive topics are discussed in this episode. In our latest episode, now available on Spotify + Apple Podcasts, Kat and Schuyler interview Morgan Gott. They discuss depression, sexuality and Morgan’s personal experience in navigating her personal journey surrounding mental health. Morgan’s passion for destigmatizing mental health is...

In today’s episode, we talk with Imani Dorsey about her experience playing soccer at Duke and professionally with SkyBlue in the NWSL. We talk about the pressures of internal and external expectations, the grief associated with moving on from an important chapter of life, the things we get out of the sport, and so much more. We also talk about her involvement with the Black Women’s Player Collecti...

We talk with Lynee about her experience with anxiety in high school, being a top-rated basketball recruit at Duke, both playing while at Duke and multiple injuries she faced, and her journey since. We discuss her depression and anxiety, her mental health journey, and where she is now. Self-harm is discussed in this episode.

Today's episode takes a deep dive in Schuyler's experience as a soccer player at Duke, then as a professional player at AC Sparta and the Reign FC. It is about the depression, anxiety, OCD, and suicidal ideation which ended her soccer career. But, it is also about her amazing support system, and how she is the happiest she has ever been on the other side of her mental health crisis.

On today’s episode Schuyler talks with fellow co-host Kat Zempolich. Kat is a co-host of the Mental Matchup Podcast, co-founder of Morgan’s Message, former D1 student-athlete and mental health advocate. On today’s episode we discuss depression, suicidal thoughts, disordered eating, insecurities and how it can seem like someone has it all together from the outside but there’s really a different nar...

Morgan Rodgers was a former Duke Lacrosse student-athlete. Morgan was a successful student in the classroom, she had a witty and creative sense of humor, an unmatched artistic talent and carried a fierce loyalty to friends, family and animals. From the outside it looked like she had it all. In this 2-part episode, Dona And Kurt Rodgers tell Morgan’s story from their point of view. What they knew,...

Morgan Rodgers was a former Duke Lacrosse student-athlete. Morgan was a successful student in the classroom, she had a witty and creative sense of humor, an unmatched artistic talent and carried a fierce loyalty to friends, family and animals. From the outside it looked like she had it all. In this 2-part episode, Dona And Kurt Rodgers tell Morgan’s story from their point of view. What they knew,...

The Mental Matchup podcast is focused on creating dialogue about athlete mental health. This episode gives you a teaser of what to expect on this season of The Mental Matchup. Nothing is off limits. Throughout the season we touch on negative self talk, mindfulness, depression, anxiety, disordered eating, and much more — in short, all the things athletes face but don't openly discuss. The only way...