Unit3d w/ B1G Team at Indiana University

“Embrace the suck” is a phrase that embodies a military mindset. Athletics culture and the military have more in common that we might thing, and embracing the suck is definitely something we need to engage in now. Dr. Erica Force talks about her experience in the Air Force and how there are many lessons athletes can learn from  our military to help thrive in difficult times.

As has been discussed before on Unit3d, there has been a shift in conversation and prioritization of mental health and wellness over the past decade, particularly in the past 5 years. Much of that has come from the voice of Generation Z, calling for institutions to create resources that address mental health needs. Dr. Chelsi Day is a big fan of Gen Z and discusses how this generation has changed...

The art of self-care is a life-long pursuit and although we all have different ways of approaching how we take care of ourselves, we all must make an effort to create ways to weave these efforts into our daily lives. Gabby Reece has performed at the highest levels in volleyball (collegiately and professionally), sports announcing, modeling, authoring books, and now hosting a podcast, The Gabby Ree...

Enna Selmanovic was a swimmer at University of Cincinnati training for Olympic trials when she had a career-ending injury. Working through issues of identity and loss, this injury has brought her to the path she is on with a passion for student-athlete mental health. Enna shares the story of her journey to making meaning of her experience and how it has influenced her future. Enna was the recipien...

In order to face a fall of uncertainty we will all need to tap in to our inner resources. Dr. Tom Golightly discusses the concept of Grit as one that embodies the courage, strength, passion and perseverance we will need to continue to pursue our long term goals. Building and tapping into grit can mean the difference between simply surviving a difficult time and truly growing from it.

The beginning of this semester, especially for sports, does not look like we would have imagined it 6 months ago. The NCAA has worked to support the health and safety of the student athletes, but how are decisions made and guidelines created? How has mental health factored in to conversations with the NCAA leadership? Dr. Brian Hainline, Chief Medical Officer for the NCAA discusses some of these q...

This fall is going to be full of challenges and opportunities. Each one of us has it within ourselves to conquer the obstacles and learn from the experiences we will be faced with. Licensed Professional Counselor Bruce Buggs discusses times in his life he has drawn on his inner resilience to overcome disappointment and perceived failure, and what has helped bring him through difficult times.

With so much uncertainty and so many obstacles facing us everyday, finding a positive approach can be difficult. Using our strengths and focusing on what we can do can help bring balance during difficult times. Dr. Jesse Steinfeldt discusses practical tips for positive psychology to help carry us in to the fall.

Knowing who you are and what you value elevates your performance and as a high-performance psychologist working with the Seattle Seahawks for the past eight years as well as some of our country’s most elite athletes, Dr. Michael Gervais has seen this play out. We live in a doing-based world, especially in athletics where it's about outcome, so finding who you are apart from what you do can be chal...

Self love is hard. Often times finding love for ourselves can be more difficult because we look at what we do to define our self-worth rather than who we are.  We also often mistake modesty for humility, dismissing our strengths and awesomeness. Jordan Hughes, LMSW talks through how to cultivate our inner self-worth and value independent of what we do or what others think of us in this episode of...

With all that is going on in the world, so many of us have been looking for ways to put positivity into the world.  Step Up! is a bystander intervention program for student athletes that encourages recognition of times when there is an opportunity to intervene.  Doug Everhart talks about this program and the importance of learning ways to Step Up! in our every day lives.

Trauma can impact an individual for months, years, or even a lifetime. Traumatic events can be difficult to ignore; however, there are smaller events some refer to as “little t's” that have a cumulative effect on one’s life and often fly under one’s radar. Athletes are practice at being resilient and “going with the flow” when it comes to difficult situations, and may be more likely to leave these...

Conner Beth Ball was an SEC Golfer at the top of the game, but it’s her courage and resilience off the course that is most impressive. She shares her story of struggle, persistence and triumph in this episode of UNIT3D

Student athletes are under more pressure and are experiencing more stress than ever before. As mental illness increases in the student athlete population, so has the importance making of services available. Dr. Gary Bennett has been working with athletes for over 20 years. He has seen the landscape change in the conversation around student athlete mental health. So much of the shift has come from...

Awareness is not enough when it comes to mental health; we need education in order to reduce stigma and for more people to reach out for help. Ross Szabo has a powerful personal story that has fueled his mission to create resources to help people understand their own mental health. A pioneer, award winning educator, and book author, he is changing the way communities learn about mental health. 

Everyone has been impacted in one way or another by the events that have brought about much needed conversation and change around inequality and racism. Many are asking the question “How can I be a better ally to Black friends and teammates?” Dr. Derek Vigon outlines some important considerations as athletes begin to return to campuses and rejoin teammates.  Being an advocate and an ally means mak...

Sports have definitely looked different since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, and among the major changes is the delay of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. How do you stay optimistic, consistent in training, and engaged in your sport win the biggest competition you have has been pushed back by a year? Sam Kendricks is currently the greatest pole vaulter in the world (having wine the world competition...

It is becoming much more common to hear that its OK to not be OK and at the end of every Unit3d episode I encourage listeners to reach out to a licensed mental health professional. But how does one go about getting help? What happens in therapy? What should I say? How does it work? For those whom have never before seen a counselor therapy can be shrouded in mystery. From when you may want to think...

Owning your story and loving yourself through the process is one of the bravest things you can do. – Brene Brown Franky Harrison is a beach volleyball player passionate about student athlete mental health. This passion led her to host a podcast her last year at South Carolina that focused on student mental health. This experience allowed her to hear other’s stories as well as heal from an event sh...

“Be careful what you say to yourself because you are always listening.” – Lisa M Hays  An aspect of self-talk is self-coaching. We can get through situations by coaching ourselves in productive ways. But just as there are coaches who bring the best out of us with the way they coach us or hinder our performance, the ways in which we coach ourselves can yield different results. Dr. Carmen Tebbe Prie...

The way we talked about mental health has dramatically shifted in the past decade, and this is particularly true in the world of sports. Ivan Maisel, senior writer for ESPN covering college football, has seen these shifts happen in his time as a writer covering college sports. His desire to see student athletes get the support they need comes from a personal story of loss and tragedy. His awarenes...

We are heading into the next few months with very little certainty. We all look for a map and a plan to feel better about where we are going, but right now that just isn’t an option. Athletes, however, are uniquely equipped to face an uncertain road ahead because of the skills they use to adapt in unexpected game situations. Dr. Bradley Hack talks about the importance of approaching the unknown wi...

Dam Worth It is a campaign at Oregon State University that serves as a call to student athletes to take care of their mental health because they are worth it. Nathan Braaten and Taylor Ricci started Dam Worth It after connecting in times of darkness. They created meaning out of personal tragedy by starting a platform that helps others. The pillars of the campaign are Education, Resources, and Awar...

There is a great deal of unrest right now. Many are protesting, speaking out against injustice and taking a stand. When athletes take a stand however, it carries with it a great risk. Dr. Kweku Smith helps us sort through how we can stay true to our identity and our beliefs when that may seem risky. For some it may be choosing when to speak up around conflicts related to religion, gender, sexual i...

Every person has a story worth telling. That’s the driving philosophy behind D1on1, a platform for student athletes to tell their stories. Andrew Cooper and Kyler Little share the inspiration behind and evolution of D1on1 in this episode of UNIT3D, and encourage every athlete to be the author of their own narrative.