What happens when your sense of identity and self-worth becomes tied to athletic performance?

In this episode of Finding Your Balance, Tiffani Fritzsche and Kirk Fasshauer talk with licensed clinical social worker, competitive athlete, and founder of Willow’s Path Counseling, Jessica Dobbertin-Borruso, LCSW, about mental health, athletics, and the importance of a holistic approach.

Jessica shares her experiences as a competitive water skier and discusses the pressures athletes face, from performance expectations and team responsibilities to the challenge of separating who you are from how you perform. The conversation explores practical tools for managing stress, building a support system, and finding mental health balance.

In this episode of Finding Your Balance, Tiffani Fritzsche and Kirk Fasshauer are joined by Kelsey Thomas, LCSW, Director of Counseling and Wellness at Southeastern University, to explore the challenges students face as they transition into college life. From managing newfound independence and responsibilities to navigating relationships, academics, mental health, and finding support, this conversation offers an honest look at why this major life transition can feel overwhelming.

Whether you're a college student, a parent preparing for the transition, or someone supporting a young adult, this episode provides encouragement, practical insight, and helpful strategies for navigating change, building independence, and finding balance along the way.

Our brains process trauma in a way that impacts not only our mental and physical health, but it can even cause our cells to mutate, impacting generations to come. To help you understand the impact trauma has and what we can do to repair the damage, Kirk and Tiffani welcome special guest Donna Riniger, LMHC, MCAP, an expert in trauma-informed therapy and the Director of Specialty Services with Peace River Center. Tune into the latest episode of Finding Your Balance: A Mental Health Podcast to learn how we can break generational trauma and build a healthier future for ourselves and generations to come.

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