Eric Devendorf isn’t just a former basketball standout—he’s a living testament to how one’s love for the game can evolve into a mission. From scoring 1,680 points at Syracuse University and playing professionally to coaching, broadcasting, and launching a foundation in Central New York, Eric blends passion, resilience, and relentless commitment into everything he does.

In this heartfelt conversation on The Dr. Melissa Show: The Stories That Shape Us, Eric opens up about his early years in Michigan—how his daily practice, high school struggles, and ability to brush aside negativity forged his competitive edge and mental toughness. He reflects on Syracuse and the transition to professional basketball, the internal pressure of unmet expectations, and the complex emotional terrain when goals shift or fall short.

But this episode goes deeper than sports. Eric shares how community and family provided emotional armor; how peer support and mentorship helped him navigate depression and identity beyond the court; and how giving back through Ed 23 Hoops and Ed 23 Foundation became not just a purpose, but a form of healing and legacy.

What You’ll Hear:
*How childhood routines, parental support, and inner fire shaped self-motivation
*Thriving in adversity: the role of criticism, expectation, and perseverance
*The emotional cost of unmet dreams—and finding purpose through philanthropy
*How to plant seeds that might not sprout now, but live on later
*Coaching and mentorship with depth, authenticity, and heart

This episode is for anyone who’s ever wondered what to do after the dream fades—or how to turn passion into purpose that outlasts the game. Eric’s journey is a roadmap for embracing growth, even when life pivots you in unexpected directions.

Connect with Eric and ED23 Hoops:
🌐 www.ed23hoops.com
In August 2019 Eric decided it was time to return “home” and give back to the Syracuse community that has embraced him. Eric started what is now known as “ED23HOOPS.” With a focus on basketball skills on the court and life skills off the court, ED23Hoops offers basketball camps, clinics, one-on-one training and AAU leagues.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational and inspirational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional counseling or mental health treatment. Listening to this podcast does not constitute a therapeutic relationship. If you are experiencing a mental health concern, please reach out to a licensed professional.
🔹 Brought to you by CNY Mental Health Counseling, PLLC
We proudly serve individuals, couples, and families across New York State and partner with schools, nonprofits, and corporate teams to support mental wellness and resilience.
🌐 Learn more: www.cnymhc.com
📍 Please note: Due to state licensure laws, services are only available to residents of New York State.
💼 Looking for executive or performance coaching support?
Explore Dr. Carman’s work with global leaders, entrepreneurs, and high-performing teams:
🌐 www.drmelissacarman.com
👍 Like, Subscribe & Share
If this conversation moved you, helped you feel seen, or inspired you to reflect more deeply on your own story—please subscribe, leave a comment, and share it with someone who needs it.

Want to be a guest on the show? Email: info@drmelissacarman.com

This is what we explore in depth inside my private executive coaching practice. If you're a high-performer or leading a team navigating growth, identity, or burnout—let’s talk.

When everything changes in an instant, what do you hold onto? For Dianne Vitkus, the answer is resilience, determination, and a new way forward as she works to transform trauma into purpose.

In this episode, Dr. Melissa sits down with Dianne Vitkus—former Division I athlete, surgical PA, and current disability advocate—to explore what it really means to rebuild a life after trauma. After a spinal cord injury left her paralyzed from the chest down, Dianne’s story didn’t end. It transformed.

Together, Dr. Melissa and Dianne dive into the emotional layers of grief, guilt, resilience, and reinvention. From ICU panic attacks to surfing in a wheelchair, Dianne shares how she redefined what strength, identity, and freedom looks like. They also reflect on their real-life therapeutic relationship, revealing raw truths about healing, holding space, and the beauty of being human, even when life doesn’t go to plan.

If you’ve ever had to start over or wondered “who am I now?”—this conversation will stay with you long after the episode ends.

In this conversation you'll hear about:
*How trauma reshapes identity and relationships
*The power of adaptive sports and community connection
*Why emotional support matters just as much as physical recovery
*The therapist’s perspective on showing up during crisis
*The mindset it takes to move through darkness and reclaim purpose

For More on Dianne, follow: @vittysvoyage

⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational and inspirational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional counseling or mental health treatment. Listening to this podcast does not constitute a therapeutic relationship. If you are experiencing a mental health concern, please reach out to a licensed professional.
🔹 Brought to you by CNY Mental Health Counseling, PLLC
We proudly serve individuals, couples, and families across New York State and partner with schools, nonprofits, and corporate teams to support mental wellness and resilience.
🌐 Learn more: www.cnymhc.com
📍 Please note: Due to state licensure laws, services are only available to residents of New York State.
💼 Looking for executive or performance coaching support?
Dr. Melissa’s proprietary framework, The Iceberg Approach™ for Leaders and Executive Teams, helps high-performing professionals uncover what lies beneath the surface to create lasting, integrated change.
🌐 Learn more: www.drmelissacarman.com

👍 Like, Subscribe & Share
If this conversation moved you, helped you feel seen, or inspired you to reflect more deeply on your own story—please subscribe, leave a comment, and share it with someone who needs it.

Want to be a guest on the show? Email: info@drmelissacarman.com

This is what we explore in depth inside my private executive coaching practice. If you're a high-performer or leading a team navigating growth, identity, or burnout—let’s talk.

When Carlos Tearney walks into a room, he brings more than world championship titles and a fifth-degree black belt. For those of us lucky enough to know him, we know he brings his mega-watt smile, but he also brings depth. Carlos' story was shaped by the streets of Syracuse, forged through loss, transformation, and an unshakable commitment to helping others rise.

In this episode of The Dr. Melissa Show, we go far beyond martial arts. Carlos opens up about the night his sister was attacked—and how that moment became the catalyst for a lifetime of teaching others how to defend not just their bodies, but their sense of worth, safety, and self.

We talk about identity, fatherhood, the quiet weight of trauma, and what it really means to “read the room” when survival is a skill you learn young. Carlos shares how he rewired his own mindset through years of training, built an empire of empowerment in his community, and why he believes confidence isn’t taught—it’s remembered.

This conversation is raw, powerful, and deeply human.

You’ll hear:
*How self-defense becomes self-trust
*Why men struggle with vulnerability—and what can shift that
*The “fight” that happens off the mat
*How trauma teaches hyper-vigilance—and how healing rewires it
*What it takes to change your story (and why some never do)
*The legacy Carlos is building with every student he trains

This one’s personal. For Carlos. For Dr. Melissa. For anyone who’s ever had to get back up.

Connect with Carlos:
🌐 https://ctchampionsma.com
Carlos is currently the owner and head instructor of Champions Martial Arts and Fitness which offers training in multiple forms of martial arts as well as summer camps, combative self-defense and kickboxing based fitness training.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational and inspirational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional counseling or mental health treatment. Listening to this podcast does not constitute a therapeutic relationship. If you are experiencing a mental health concern, please reach out to a licensed professional.
🔹 Brought to you by CNY Mental Health Counseling, PLLC
We proudly serve individuals, couples, and families across New York State and partner with schools, nonprofits, and corporate teams to support mental wellness and resilience.
🌐 Learn more: www.cnymhc.com
📍 Please note: Due to state licensure laws, services are only available to residents of New York State.
💼 Looking for executive or performance coaching support?
Explore Dr. Carman’s work with global leaders, entrepreneurs, and high-performing teams:
🌐 www.drmelissacarman.com
👍 Like, Subscribe & Share
If this conversation moved you, helped you feel seen, or inspired you to reflect more deeply on your own story—please subscribe, leave a comment, and share it with someone who needs it.

Want to be a guest on the show? Email: info@drmelissacarman.com

This is what we explore in depth inside my private executive coaching practice. If you're a high-performer or leading a team navigating growth, identity, or burnout—let’s talk.