Mental health is becoming an increasingly important part of the conversation in sports. In this episode of the Especially for Athletes Podcast, we sit down with Braden Brown, Associate Athletic Director of Mental Health for BYU Athletics, to discuss how athletes can train their minds just like they train their bodies. Braden explains why working with a mental health professional can be every bit as valuable as working with a strength coach, nutritionist, or position coach—and why asking for help should be viewed as a commitment to getting better, not a sign of weakness. We also discuss handling pressure and intrusive thoughts, perfectionism and imposter syndrome, competing without becoming combative, the unique pressures facing female athletes, what parents can do to support their kids, and the importance of developing an identity beyond sports. This is an important conversation for athletes, parents, and coaches who want to better understand the mental side of sports.

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00:32:17 - Meet Braden Brown: Mental Health at BYU Athletics

00:33:12 - How Mental Health in Sports Has Changed

00:36:01 - What Braden Does With BYU Athletes

00:38:13 - Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Health

00:39:27 - Asking for Help Is a Sign of Strength

00:43:08 - Why Elite Athletes Are Talking About Mental Health

00:45:34 - Train Your Mind Like You Train Your Body

00:47:13 - Understanding Yourself as an Athlete

00:50:09 - Handling Pressure: Notice, Accept, Commit

00:52:30 - Perfectionism, Anxiety & Imposter Syndrome

00:54:54 - Compete Without Being Combative

00:58:55 - Mental Health & Female Athletes

01:02:32 - What Parents of Athletes Need to Know

01:03:39 - Parents: Listen More, Coach Less

01:05:51 - Talk to Your Kids About More Than Sports

01:07:09 - The Danger of an Athlete-Only Identity

01:08:27 - Who Are You Without Your Sport?

01:14:01 - Building an Identity Beyond Athletics

01:15:52 - How Serving Others Helps Mental Health

01:20:50 - Keep Youth Sports Fun

01:24:41 - Closing Thoughts & Connecting With Braden

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Credits: Hosted by Dustin Smith

Produced by E4A and IMAGINATE STUDIO