Inside the Mind of Collegiate Athletes

Santos and Madeline discuss the challenges of being collegiate athletes. They talk about the adjustment period from high school to college, the pressure to prove themselves, and the impact on their mental health. They also mention the difficulty of balancing academics, social life, and sports. Both athletes express expectations and the reality of their performance not meeting those expectations. They discuss the self-confidence challenges and the pressure to find their place in the competitive collegiate environment. Hi, everybody. I wanted to thank you so much for tuning in and listening to my podcast, Preserving Athletes' Mental, Physical, and Spiritual Well-Being, featuring Glory Fung. It's going to be a really awesome podcast, and I'm going to have two guests with me, and they'll introduce themselves in a second. I just wanted to say thank you. This is going to be an awesome podcast where we just really dive deep into the vulnerable parts of being an athlete, especially at the collegiate level. So let's just get right into it and start our introductions, and then we'll go from there. I'm Santos. I'm a sophomore this year, and I'm on the swim team, men's swim and dive team, and I've been swimming for 11 years. Nice. 11 years. Wow. That's crazy. That is crazy. What about you? I'm Madeline Almodovar. I'm on the stunt team here. I have been doing cheer pretty much my whole life since I was at a young age, about 17 years, and I've been doing stunt for the past six. Nice. So that was honestly one of the first reasons, because I had a feeling most collegiate athletes, if you're an athlete in college, I'm pretty sure that you've been doing your sport for a while. So you've got 11 years and six years. That's pretty cool. So we'll just talk about, first off, narrow down what were the best topics to think about, because I feel like there's so many things when I think about collegiate athletes, like what they go through and the pressures, because me, obviously, I only did high school sports. So I didn't have the pressures of college-level courses and navigating that. So I always just am curious about these specific things. So the three topics I basically wanted to jump into right off the bat was mental health, time management, and balancing commitments. So we'll kind of just answer a couple questions and just kind of talk about where your guys' head is with these topics. Maybe some are more, you know, bigger topics in your head than others, or maybe I'm just thinking they are because I'm from the outside perspective. But I thought it would be cool to talk about because people will be able to relate to you guys and listen to this as an athlete themselves. So first question, we can all just kind of talk about it. And anyone can just, either of you can hop in. How has becoming a collegiate athlete over the years affected your mental health? And it can be either in a good way, a bad way. I put some notes down that maybe there's, like, lack of motivation at times or, you know, stress about managing homework and things like that. So I guess just how has it affected your mental health over the years? I feel like, sorry. Go ahead. I know. You probably will agree with me on this. But, like, one big thing of, like, going into college athletics that nobody, like, really talks about or, like, warns you about is, like, the, like, adjustment period of, like, you're in high school. You're, like, one of these big fish in, like, a pond of, like, a bunch of other, like, small fish. And it's, like, you go to a bigger level of college, and nobody talks about how you're surrounded by a bunch of other big fish from, like, their schools. And I feel like that adjustment period of, like, trying to, like, adjust into, like, a big pond with big fish, like, nobody ever talks about that and, like, the adjustment period of that portion of, like, kind of just, like, adapting, like, okay, like, we're all really competing for spots here compared to, like, you're not, like, your top dog. Like, you know what I mean? And I feel like that's, like, the biggest part of, like, college, and that's where I've struggled with. I've, like, okay, like, I came in. I was super excited, like, oh, my gosh, it's college athletics. And you kind of go through this period where you're, like, where am I? Like, what am I doing here? Like, kind of, like, a self-worth sort of thing. And you kind of, like, dip into, like, a bad state for a second until you kind of, like, figure out your worth and, like, where you stand in college athletics and, like, where you kind of, like, show yourself. And I feel like that's, like, where the good portion of, like, college athletics comes through. And so I feel like it kind of just, like, navigates and dips and that kind of thing. But I feel like nobody ever, like, talks about it. I feel like especially coming in, like, as a freshman, like, there's people, you know, there's seniors here at the collegiate level that are, like, you know, they've been here for four years. And they're already, like, so, like, top tier at what they do. And, like, you're coming in as a freshman, like you said, and, like, you have to, like, kind of prove yourself. Like, I got a spot here, so now how am I going to make it known to, like, even the higher classmen, like, that I'm worth it being here. Yeah. Yeah. I relate to you a lot, Maddie. Like, you know, the transition from high school to college is, like, I just put so much pressure on myself last year. Like, last, like, freshman season because, like, you know, I was talking to the other, like, you know, obviously they were going to, you know, swim with me in my class. You know, I was talking to them. They're, like, this is, like, all they did in high school was just swim, swim. Like, that was the whole life, you know. And, like, I was, like, well, you know, I basically swam, like, you know, six months out of the year because I was also doing football in high school and track. And I just had, you know, other things going on besides, you know, besides swim. So, like, I put a lot of pressure on myself. Everyone was, like, oh, you're going to go so fast. You're going to go, you're going to, like, you're going to, you know, start improving so much when you put all your time into it and stuff. And then, like, the first meet, I was, like, you know, I didn't do too well. And I was just, like, kind of tearing myself down. That kind of just happened, like, every meet, you know. And I was kind of, like, I was, like, do I really want to do this, you know, because, like, I was, like, it just wasn't, you know, it just wasn't fun. You know, I wasn't having fun with it, you know. Yeah. And I thought, you know, going into, you know, college sports, it was, like, oh, this is going to be fun, you know. I'm going to get so, I'm going to get so good because you can finally. You can finally get your prime. Exactly. Yeah. But once you get here, it's, like, oh, that's not, that's not really the case. It's not, like, what it is. Right. Then you have, like, you know, obviously you have school, and then you're trying to balance, like, also the social aspect of it, which, you know, obviously we'll talk about. Touch on, yeah. Yeah, we'll talk about it a little bit more, but it's just, it's hard, it's hard to find, it's hard to find that balance, but last year I just put, you know, a lot of pressure on myself, you know. I wasn't performing, like, all my time, like, in swimming, like, obviously we compete for times, we compete for times and stuff, and then all my, I didn't go, like, a single, like, personal best last year at all, which I thought I was going to because I was, like, you know, I thought I was going to go faster, but then I was, like, that kind of just, you know. Yeah. It's hard, it's hard to deal with, you know. Yeah, it sounds like you guys, like, had, like, these expectations going in, and then they, like, kind of, like, turn, and it's, like, oh, like, this is really how it is, but I'm going to keep with it because I'm assuming both of you guys came here because of your sport. I know a lot of people, I mean, there's scholarships and things like that, but I know that, like, sports at Concordia is obviously, like, really incredible and, like, top tier. And so I could see it being difficult, like, this is, like, what you came here for, and then, like, when it's, like, shifted a little bit, and, like, I don't know, just I could see how that could be, like, difficult. It's hard to, like, evaluate yourself and how you're performing when you are a hard worker, and, like, you said, like, you're not performing at the top of your game that you think that you were going to, but then you see everybody around you, and you're, like, why am I not there? Right. Or, like, why am I getting, I don't know, thoughts are different. Like, you get pulled out of a spot, and you're, like, I was doing that spot just as good as that person. Like, what was I doing wrong that that person wasn't? And it's, like, you kind of, like, kind of compare yourself, and it's, like, you're, like, digging yourself into this hole where, like, I'm working hard. Like, I'm working just as hard as this person. Like, where's the line and things like that? So it's just, like, when you have, like, that perfectionism of hard working. Yeah. And it busts its head, and, like, college is just, like, you have to find that balance between the two, and, like, not take it out on yourself, even though it's so hard to say don't take it out on yourself. But it's, like, the only way that you're going to swim. It sounds like it's, like, yeah. Yeah, it sounds like, wait a minute, what? Yeah, no, yeah, it definitely seems like it kind of, like, I feel like just college, going to college in general is, like, it, like, tests your self-confidence in so many ways. Because you're surrounded by so many people that are, like, so different. And you're trying to find, like, where you fit and, like, what type of people you want to hang out with. But then there's a whole other level for athletes. And it's, like, there's so much, like, testing of your own confidence, like, within your team, too. Not to mention people in the academic setting and, like, you know, people from all around the world who have so many different, like, skills and things like that. It's just, like, it's so crazy to add that athletic aspect on top of it. Yeah. It's crazy. But, Jonathan, you mentioned – who am I? John or Jonathan? Jonathan. Jonathan! Yeah, yeah. So, you mentioned the social life. So, let's just jump down to that. My big question for that, basically, was has becoming a collegiate athlete shifted your level of passion and commitment to the sport? And that I tied to do you have time for social life, friends? Has it benefited your time at Concordia? Things like that. Things like that. So, just again, has becoming a collegiate athlete shifted your level of passion and commitment to the sport? Basically, like, I – sorry, go on. Okay. It just goes in – it goes in – it comes in seasons, you know? Like, it depends. And, you know, like, the swim season is, like, it's a marathon. It's, like, six months. So, like, we get here in August, and then, like, we have a week to kind of just chill out and do whatever, you know? We have to, like, swim on our own. But then after that, like, we're starting the season already, and we don't get done until, like, mid-February. So, it's, like, you know, it's – like, in the fall, you know, in the fall semester, I was, like – I was going to bed, like, really late, you know? Because I was, like – I was wanting to, you know, pour into, like, everywhere. Like, just, you know, going 100 percent everywhere. Yeah. And, you know, it was just, like – it was just, like, you know, I wanted to, like, spend time with people. And then I had to, you know, do, like, school on top of that. And then I had to, you know – and then I had to, you know – I was going to bed, like, way, way too late. And then, obviously, we got up early for swim. Yeah, you guys are up at, like, 4 a.m.? What time are you guys up to get to the pool? 4.45. 4.45, yeah. So, you go from 4.45 – practice is done at, what, like, 7.30, 8? Yeah. And then from 8, that's when, let's just say, a normal – a non-athletic student is starting school. Sometimes even, like, 10 o'clock. And no bashing to, like, a non-collegiate athlete, but it's just, like – that's just crazy. Or, like, Otto, going to practice late and then, you know, heading home. It's just, like, there's so many – it's just crazy. So, anyway, go on. Well, yeah, that's fine. No, I think – It's important to point that out, though, because, like, you guys work your butts off, like, it's just crazy. Yeah. So, it's hard – it's hard to have – it's hard to have, you know, the social life. And that's what I realized. It's, like, you have to – I had to kind of make some sacrifices towards, like, when we started getting more into, like, the competition season. So, like, more like the January – well, yeah, December, January. And then, you know, October as well. Like, that was when we had a lot of meets as well. So, it's, like, in order to do well, like, you know, you want to do well. Like, that's what – like you said, that's what we came here, you know, to do. Obviously, we want to make friends. Like, these relationships that we're making here at DeGuardia are amazing, you know. But, you know, it's important, you know, if we're here for a sport, we want to, you know, pour into that as much as we can as well. Sometimes, you know, the social life is going to have to take, like, a – you know. A break. A break, you know, which is – It's not worth it or anything. Right, yeah. Yeah, it's hard, you know. It's hard to find, you know, our priorities. It's hard to know how much, like, we should, like, commit to, like, you know, making sure – how much we're actually pouring in. Yeah, yeah. How about you, Alba? Like, do you feel like your level of passion and commitment has shifted? Do you feel like it's, like, grown since being here or, you know, lessened with just how much you have to, like, maintain at the same time or – My passion in terms of, like, sport and things like that, it was very, like, high when I came in. And like I mentioned earlier, like, it did, like, fall off for a second. And, like, I got to the point where I did hate the sport for a minute there. And, like, that took a long time of, like, just, like, dedication of, like, okay, like, God put me here for a reason. Like, he set this path of me having to go through these struggles. And, like, for me, that was, like, my choice of, like, obviously, like, he didn't put this here for, like, no reason. Right. And, like, to me, like, I was able to, like, regain my love for the sport, which, like, a lot of people aren't able to do. It's really difficult to do. That was, like, a six-month process in itself of just, like, trying to, like, regain everything. Wow, that's crazy. And so, like, and then also on top of, like, not trying to, like, be the perfectionist and hard worker that you are, just, like, beating up on yourself. But the community definitely helps. Being able to, like, talk to people about it, being able to, like, connect with, like, other athletes and, like, talk about, like, their experiences and things like that was very beneficial and helpful. And then, like, also, like, obviously, like, your teammates, you're with them literally majority of the time. I see my teammates more than I see my own family, and I live with my family. That kind of says a lot of, like, how our time here is spent. And so, like, that is, like, one big thing. Like you said, like, some buckets are going to be more empty than others. So it's just kind of, like, how do you manage everything and how do you want to balance, oh, I have this time to school work, I have this time to hang out with people, I have this much to, like, go practice my sport, encourage myself of, like, okay, like, you can do things outside of just that and, like, kind of, like, finding a balance between everything. But it is hard, but, like, where can you benefit from, like, creating that time? You know what I mean? Yeah. And then I just think, yeah, like, back to high school, you know, like, we had nothing going on, you know. Like, we could just, like, it was so, like, I was thinking about that the other day, you know, like, it was just so simple. It was so simple, like, you know, we'd get up, like, at a normal, I would get up at a normal time, like, six-thirty and stuff, and then, like, make practice and go to school, come home, like, no, actually go to practice, you know. Don't forget the practice. Practice is always there. Always there. Uh-huh. And then come home, eat, do homework, and then, like, pretty much just go to bed, like, chill out and then go to bed, you know. Yeah. But now it's, like, you have to figure out what, you know, buckets to pour it into and stuff, like, whatever. Yeah, that's crazy. You were technically taking more classes at that time. Yeah, I know. That's crazy. That's even crazier to think about. I was thinking about that, too. I was, like, why is this so simple? And then I was, like, why am I struggling with five when I used to take seven? It's hard now. Hold on. I like what you said, though, about athletes, like, having, like, your teammates, because I feel like that's, like, a perfect, like, safe space. At least, I mean, I obviously don't have teammates, so I don't know about, you know, there's always drama with teammates and there's always this and this and that. But I do think that it's awesome that you guys do have, like, an immediate support system, because every other athlete is going through some sort of, you know, not issues, but these struggles, like you guys, in one shape or another. So I think it's cool that you guys have each other to lean on to kind of say, like, dude, like, I'm struggling right now. Like, man, I hate this. Like, I don't want to be here. But then other days, you know, you win and you're, like, oh, my God, this is what I live for. Like, I love doing what I do. So it's, like, it's cool that you guys can go through, like, those waves with your teammates. Do you feel like that's kind of true? Yeah, I'm not sure how swim is. Like, I know, like, overall at this campus and, like, overall, like, teams are very community-based. I don't know how, like, family-based a lot of them are. But I know, like, our team is very family-based. So it's, like, if you ever needed anything, like, you could literally walk up to any girl on that team and be, like, hey, like, I'm going through this. Like, when I was going through, like, my issues, I walked up to someone that I had barely talked to at the time. And I was, like, hey, like, I kind of want to, like, let you know this. Like, I don't know how you'll receive it, but, like, I know that, like, you have, like, a better relationship with God than I do. And I, like, helped, like, it helped me, like, kind of walk my path. And, like, she helped me, like, find that and things like that. So that was, like, helpful. It's, like, good to know that, like, there's, like, a full, like, family around you compared to, like, just a community. Because, like, I don't know. Like, I wouldn't walk up to anybody random at school and be, like, hey. They're, like, it's, like, a different kind of community. True, true. But, like, compared to, like, a family, like, you wouldn't, like, like, you wouldn't find a family member compared to, like, other. You know what I mean? Totally. That's a good point, actually. I really like that. Yeah. I was going to say, like, some teams aren't, like, aren't as, you know, family, aren't as family based. They're not as close. They're not, yeah, they're just, you know, they're not as close. But, like, you know, you know, fortunately we have, you know, things on campus, you know, like abs, you know, like athlete body. So it's actually what we're going to get into. Really? Sure. Yeah, athlete body. So, you know, it's great that we can facilitate, like, the core team can facilitate conversation for, like, for athletes to be able to, like, open up about, you know, what they're going through and stuff. Yeah. Like the struggles that they're having in their sport. You know, you can be, again, you can be as vulnerable, you know, athletes can be as vulnerable as they want, you know, at athlete body. Yeah. I actually wanted to get into that because I have one of, actually, the last topic that we're going to talk about is time management. Sure. And I basically said, like, how do you handle being involved in extracurricular activities on campus, like, besides your sport? So I guess, like, maybe if each of you can, like, give kind of a rundown of, like, what you're involved in here because you guys are really involved on top of being an athlete, which just, like, blows my mind. And so we'll just talk about, like, a little bit of what we do, and then maybe you can do, like, a little plug to abs. Oh, sure. Kind of show it off. So whoever wants to start, and then we can just talk about. Either one. Do you want me to start? Yeah, go for it. Okay. I have a lot to say later. He's like, I got abs, okay? Abs is great, honestly. I love abs. Anyways. So I also am not only involved in Stent here, but I'm also a commuter. Oh, my gosh, commuter senator. Missing my words there. So I do a lot of representation that way between, like, the school, like, and how students are represented within, like, our faculty and things like that. So that's a pretty time commitment that we have. We have a lot of meetings that we go to, and then also, like, little things here and there, like, tabling and, like, hanging, like, toilet socks. Yes, with people who hang toilet socks. I know people wonder, and every time they see me, they're like, oh, that's you guys. That is one thing that I'm also involved in, and then also working here on campus at the Welcome Center, which I absolutely love working at the Welcome Center. You're able to talk to a bunch of incoming people that are, like, interested in school, kind of give them your feedback and things like that. And it's kind of nice, like, meet an athlete or things like that. Can you kind of speak on behalf of the athletic department? Because, like I mentioned, it's very community-based or very family-based there. So it's, like, very nice to see, like, the whole, like, over picture of, like, not just, like, the one team that they're going to experience, like, during the day, and then not only, like, within, like, their major. So, like, if they come in and they're like, oh, like, I'm also interested in this, you're like, oh, my gosh. We're the same person. Yeah, like, I'll tell you all about it. Like, I love that major. And I feel like that's, like, a big thing that I, like, love about, like, working in the Welcome Center is, like, that's a big part of my time, too, like, just, like, working. But I really enjoy that just because, like, I get to, like, talk and kind of community build outside of Concordia, whether they're going to join it or not, which is really awesome. Yeah, I love that. Yeah. Yeah, so on top of swim, I also, as we mentioned a couple times, I do, I help, or I coordinate athlete Bible study as a part of our university discipleship team, Abby West. Yeah, there we go. There we go. And, you know, athlete Bible study, you know, we, like I said before, we want to, you know, help facilitate conversation for athletes, like, you know, to talk about the struggles that they're having in their sport or just anything, anything in life or their walks with the Lord. We want to facilitate that, you know, all those conversations. We want to be able to, you know, help people find, you know, belonging inside of their sport so, like, they're not just, you know. So they feel, obviously, everybody's going to have identity in their sport, you know. They're going to have, like, I would say that, you know, like, it would feel weird if I didn't have, like, swimming, you know, like right now. Like right now when I'm not, like, on off season, when I'm on off season, it's weird. It's weird not having to get up early and, like, not, you know, dive into a freezing cold pool. You're like, what's wrong? What's going on? That's how I feel, retirement coming in two months. Oh, my gosh. We can also touch on that later, Terry. It's scary. It is. It is scary. Like, I have two more years until, like, I don't have to, you know, like, swim anymore. I actually, you know, I can swim whenever I want, but, like, collegially, you know, it's weird. We've got to find jobs. What's that? We've got to find jobs. We've got to find jobs. Yes, yes. So, yeah, and then, you know, that's also a great place for athletes, I would say. So there's a lot of, like, well, there's not a lot, but there's some people who, you know, don't do a sport anymore, but they're like, okay, I'm missing this, like, piece. I need to, like, open up. Like, I want to be able to be vulnerable about this and just talk to somebody who's, you know, still an athlete or might be in the same boat because one of our core team members at ABS, he used to do track, but he doesn't do track anymore. So he's a great voice for people who don't do a sport anymore. And he's like, okay, this is how I've dealt with this transition and this change. So, yeah, I don't know. There's a lot of blessings. There's a lot of fruit that comes out of athlete violence study, but along with that fruit, it comes up, like, takes up a lot of time, you know. And I'll be vulnerable here again. Like, I don't think next year I don't think I'm going to be coordinating. You know, I think I'm going to, you know, Lord willing, somebody is able to step into that position. I'm just going to help whoever's in there just, you know, help them along the way. I'll still be on the core team. I'll still be involved. But it's like I've got to, you know, start pouring into, like, swimming. I've got to pour into swimming more. And then classes, too, I'll get now. So, yeah, I'm also a DCE minor or major. I'm, like, theology is my major. But DCE being DCE. So, director. Yeah, being the emphasis, right? So, it's like a youth minister. I mean, they deal with, like, cradle to grave, obviously, but a lot of times they, you know, they deal with the youth as part of, like, the LCMS, the Booth and Churches are a synod church. So, I have, like, class in that that's, like, just a field. It's, like, field work. So, I go out and, you know, it's, like, essentially, like, a practice. Yeah, it's a practicum. So, I have to do, like, four to six hours this year. Next year it will be six to eight. And then senior year will be, you know, eight to ten. So, it's, like, next year I need to, like, just focus on that. I want to be able to pour into that because, you know, this year I was, like, I'm just, like, going everywhere. It's, like, juggling so many different things. And it's, like, it's not, I'm realizing it, you know, it's, like, not necessarily the most fair to, you know, hold on to so many things and then have to, like, give people, like, just, like, a... Half buckets. Half buckets, yeah. Oh, I like that, yeah. So, yeah, I'm going to, you know, maybe take a step back but still be a part of it, you know, for after the Bible study. Yeah. And then I think that's basically, you know, abs, swimming, school, and then, you know, social life, you know, making sure... A lot. Yeah, it is a lot. A lot. It's a lot for sure. And then just, you know, making sure that I'm, you know, taking care of, like, taking care of my health, like, just, like, my mental health, you know, making sure that, you know, I can, you know, be a light for people, you know. Yeah. Because I don't want to be stretched too thin, you know. True. And you also want to walk around, like, with a smile on your... Like, you don't want to feel like you're, like... You've got to fill your own bucket. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, exactly. Because you have all these other buckets that you're trying to fill, but then it comes down, like, when you're in bed at night, it's, like, okay, like, how am I going to make sure that I'm healthy? Like, how am I going to make sure that, like, did I drink enough water today? Like, little things like that. I feel like, especially, like, in college, you kind of learn, like, okay, like, my bucket needs to be filled by me. Yeah. Not, like, it's, like, way different. Like you said, like, there's less priorities. Like, your bucket's kind of always full, like, when you're younger, but, like, as you get older, your bucket becomes more, like, lessened. Sorry. Well, that's good. You know what I mean? You need time to rest. You need time that you spend by yourself and then, you know, with the Lord, you know. Just, like, you need time to just breathe, you know, so. Yes. Real quack. Quack. Real quack. Real quack. What time is athlete Bible study for any athletes that are listening to this podcast? And you totally should. You should be listening to this podcast. But when is ABS and how can people, you know, where can they find information about it? Oh, yeah. Athlete Bible study is every Wednesday night at 8 o'clock, 8 to 9, 8 to 9.30. No later. We don't want to do it any later than 9.30. Yeah, they sleep. Right. We want to respect. We want to respect you guys' time. And, you know, it's so, you know, it's at 8 o'clock because, you know, we want to make sure that everyone's, you know, able to go after their, you know, night classes. If I get into night classes, go to 9. But, you know, we want to keep it late. We want to keep it late. That way, you know, people don't have to, like, people aren't able to go, like, after their practice and stuff. They can fill their other buckets first. And is that in Good Shepherd? Or not Good Shepherd. Is that in the CU Center? No, that's in the gym, yeah. Oh, okay, nice. Yeah, right. Yeah, it's in Eagle's Nest. Nice. Yeah, and then, you know, they can reach out. They can stop by the Campus Ministry Center. Okay. Which is just across, which is right across from the gym. Yeah, right across from the CU Arena. So, yeah, they can stop by there, talk to Knox. Knox, yeah. Yeah, Emily Davis at the desk there. Awesome, that's awesome. Buddy, thank you for joining Episode 2. I am here with Glory. He's going to introduce himself in a second. First, I just wanted to say thank you so much for doing this for my capstone. I know a lot of people are excited to see you here and learn more about, you know, what we're going to talk about today. So, Glory, if you want to introduce yourself and we'll dive right in. Thank you, Lillian. This is a great capstone project and definitely very timely for a topic like this to be talked about. So, again, my name is Glory Fung. I am the Associate Athletic Director for Student Athlete Health and Well-Being. Really, really long. I'm going to try to make it like a mnemonic or something. But in my DNA, I am an athletic trainer. So, I was hired here in 2012 to be the head athletic trainer. So, kind of what that means for a college campus is I oversee student athlete health and care from injuries that they sustain during practices and games to running physicals. And you and I know in the past, I would say, five to ten years, the need for a student, you know, nevertheless, a student athlete is so much broader now. So, in this new role, I am overseeing, you know, their strategies to help them maximize their sleep, their rest, their nutrition. Mental health is a big one that I feel like we've made really good progress on kind of destigmatizing individuals that need to speak out and ask for help. I think we, like, are in step two, step three on that right now. Oh, good. I'd love to hear that. For right now, some of the gaps as I'm looking at, like, hey, what can we do better? Transitioning a high school student into college, I think the school does a really good job with the INT classes and the small groups that they break out, the PALs. In student athletics, in student athlete needs, I think it's a little bit more of a gap that we need to help fill. Transitioning even just from high school sports to college sports and the amount of traveling and studying on the road and time management, all of that is a big gap for our, you know, 18 and 19-year-old student athletes here. And then from there, kind of where we're at in our season in April right now, transitioning our graduating student athletes into the workforce. Yeah, that's definitely something we're going to touch on. Yep. It's crazy. In my podcast with Madeline and Jonathan, we talked about that and how, like, you spend so many years, you spend your life doing this one sport that you are, like, in love with. Yep. And then it just stops one day. Yes. And it's like, what's the point? What do I do from here? Yeah. The whole, like, identity of who I am. Identity crisis. Yeah. And how do we do that? So, yeah, again, a lot of different gaps. So I'm really embracing this role. Yeah. Learning a lot of new things, you know, just kind of dreaming up an idea and then seeing if it can get carried out. Definitely. And I'm excited after this year to have a year or two as I look back on, like, what was successful this year and what we really need to focus and really hamper down on allocating resources and time and energy to for a year or two of this role. Yeah. Awesome. Well, I'm excited to jump in. So we have three big topics that we're going to talk about today. So we have mental and physical success, physical injury, and then we'll end with some advice and guidance for athletes that should be listening. Absolutely. So let's just dive right in. So as far as mental and physical success, what are the most common complaints, you know, struggles, barriers that you hear about, like, from athletes? The major barrier that I've seen is trying to balance so many things on their plate and really trying to be everything to everyone, right, to be the top performing person that is on their team, to excelling in academics. And here at Concordia, we have a lot of student athletes that also have to work, you know, living out here in Orange County, whether you're on scholarship or not on scholarship, it's expensive. And if you want somewhat of a fun, personal life going to hang out at, you know, whatever it might be and not eat top ramen and rice and beans every day, you have to work. So being able to balance all of that is difficult for a college student, especially a college student athlete. A couple of things, you know, when I'm reading through some of the mindset piece to it, I would say a student always has to have like a gross mindset, right? You never think like, oh, you've been there already and all you've known and all you've experienced is how I'm going to do tomorrow. Having that open mind, like, hey, I'm going to learn something new today and then tomorrow will be a little different. When I was kind of thinking back to probably part one on the podcast with the two student athletes, the whole thing of, of having to meet certain people's expectations. Yes. And the pressures of that. Yes. That's huge. And I feel like we are, I guess, rightfully so, should be our highest critic. Like we shouldn't be swayed left or right by other people's opinion about us. Like we should be, but at the same time, I feel like we're really too hard and we put that much more pressure on ourselves. When, I would say societal definition of success looks one way, but in reality, it is very different. So when we talk about just physical injury, when someone does get hurt and they're not starting for a game or, or, or they're not contributing in a physical way, that's a big kick in the butt for the, for that individual. But at the same time that they open up their minds a little bit and they can see like, I am someone that can bring value onto the team other than what I am physically doing for them. So if you're the point guard, okay, you're not dribbling the ball and passing it off, but you have other important roles now that you can contribute to the health of the team. I think of, I jotted some notes, you know, in the Bible, it talks about in Psalm 139, it says, you know, we're all fearfully and wonderfully made. And what does fearfully mean? Right? Like, and that was like, God's like freaked out. Like, Oh my gosh, I'm over here. Let's, you know, I guess in Hebrew it says you're unique and you're set apart. So those of us that come to campus and we're comparing ourselves to other people, which is very easy to do when you first show up on a team or, or that first week of practice, just know that, man, there's nobody else like you out there. You are the unique person that you are and you bring a lot to the table that might not be measurable, you know, in, you know, a stop clock time in terms of a statistical like category, but people bring a lot to the table. So that's awesome. Yeah. Madeline in the last episode was talking about, you know, God put us here for a reason. And so she was saying that she needed to just keep reminding herself that, and I think athletes in general just need to remind themselves that because you make a good point. Even if you're physically hurt, that doesn't mean that you can't be that person on the sidelines cheering on, you know, your teammates or being something else in that space. Yeah. Even if you don't think that you can be like, there's so many more qualities to a person, especially athletes than just their physical, you know, talent. Yeah. And I think that athletes a lot of the time forget that and, you know, because it's their whole life that that's what consumes them. But I just, I love that. We, I love that Bible verse. It really ties in like really perfectly. Yeah. So well, tying into that, I would say, I mean, one of the questions I had were, what are some of the biggest ways you've seen physical injury impacted players wellbeing? And I just said, you know, there's a fear of missing out experiences, behavioral changes. Do you see students come in a lot, you know, and they're frustrated, they're mad. What's kind of the mindset you see them in when you're meeting with them? Right. So, um, the, the word tenacity can be a good and a bad thing. A good meaning like you're always going to out-compete the person next to you, whether it's, you know, a teammate because your guys are competing for the same spot for playing time or when it's a game time and you're competing against another team, like you're not going to let the other person outwork you. Um, at the same time that the negative part of it is we forget that we need rest and we need to just take that deep breath and, and just take a deep breath and just relax a little bit. Um, you know, we're talking about time management and I think Maddie said it great. Like I run from practice here to class and then to this, to that. And it's like, okay guys, like when are you going to rest? When are you going to take care of yourself? Fill your own bucket is what we talked about last episode. And the realization and the good thing about those two, uh, for John and, and Maddie is they realized like if my bucket's not filled, I can't fill other people's. I'm just going to be running dry. I think we see this a lot with, um, with pastors, right? People that have to invest a lot of their time and energy, you know, counselors and they're not filled for moms and dads out there. Like, if you were a drained, spent parent, your kids are going to feel it. But if you're filling yourself and you're, you know, well, the people around you will be well too. You're giving them that healthy energy instead of your, you know, tired, worn out self. You can't give the same if you're not, you know, you're self healthy. Right. So for the student athletes that are like listening, um, and even just that there's ebbs and flows of our year. There's the in season out of season. I kind of want to read a verse out loud right now. Ecclesiastes chapter three verse one to eight. It's a little long, but it says it's for everything. There is a season. There's a time for every matter under heaven, a time to be born, a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build up a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, time to throw away stones, time to gather stones, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from racing, a time to seek and a time to lose a time to keep and a time to throw away a time to tear and a time to sew a time to keep silence and a time to speak time to love and a time to hate the time for war and a time for peace. Kind of just sharing that, like saying, Hey, there's a time to be grinding and like wake up early and get on the grind. But then there's also times where you just need to exhale, take a break. You know what I mean? It's okay. I think we guilt ourselves into saying, well, if I take a nap right now, I'm going to be a lazy person. I feel pathetic. I feel like a loser. What am I even doing here? Like, I hear that so much with athletes. Like, well, what's the point? If I, if I'm not trying, then I'm weak. And that's a whole other conversation of feeling weak when other people might, you know, be doing well. And it's like, why am I not good enough? The whole comparison is like, stop comparing yourself. You're fearfully, wonderfully made. And then there's, there's ebbs and flows. There's seasons of a life, you know? And sometimes it's forced. And what really is like, what really has took my heart this past, I would say two or three months is the season of loss. I feel like a lot of our students have dealt with loved ones passing away. And I think it's as intimate as like a parent or mom or dad that has passed or, you know, a close friend. And I'm like, man, another one? Like that is, it's just weird. It's very, like this past two months. In my life, I, we lost two people in my wife's family within 11 days of each other. And so kind of navigating that with my, my young ones, like my kids and, and, and really taking time to mourn. Again, there's time to laugh. And then there's a time to like cry and process that out. So again, giving anyone, just the freedom, just, you know, embracing that part of the season and it's okay. Like if it's time to take a break, it's time to take a break. And don't be guilty to not. Absolutely. Well, I love that. That's already, we're already jumping down to the advice part. That's great. I have a question. What would you tell a collegiate athlete before entering into this world? Because, you know, you go from, and I, obviously I don't play a college sport, but I did high school. I did four years of tennis in high school and I would go to practice and I would have zero period orchestra. And so I was up from, you know, 545 and I would get back from tournaments at like 8 PM. So, and then you do homework and stuff. So you get in a routine of your high school, you know, method, but then how, how did that shift into college? So what have you seen? What would you tell a collegiate athlete? Yeah. And how from college into the workforce and. Yeah. So like high school to college and then college to the workforce. Yeah. So from high school to college, things are going to be intensified even more, right? Because, because you're all by yourself. Like there's no mom and dad, like making sure that you're eating your dinner and doing your homework. It's on you. And so again, the value to that is you're not a robot. You're doing what you like, your personality and your character and what interests you. Like that's all you expressing yourself and how you carry out your day. But it's going to be intensified the social life. It's going to be intensified. Like everything about college life. It's just like a notch, a notch up. Yes. And I would say the implications are even like more severe. So if you are failing or if you are struggling in a class and I mean, it's not just, oh, I failed my math class in high school. I'm going to take a summer school. I mean, there's a financial implication to this. Like you just blown $1,800 for not passing that class. And then when can you retake it? And, you know, so there's, yes, it is very tricky. So it was more at more, more at stake if you're not doing well. And then from college into the work life, I would say student athletes need to know that they are very valuable and prized employees. Employers are looking for individuals that know time management, that know discipline, that know like, Hey, if it's a nine o'clock start time, it's a nine o'clock start time. Not like you're rolling out of bed at 850. And so a lot of us that have had gone through that pattern because we don't want to let a coach down or because they're, you know, if I show up late, then I have to do extra, whatever X, Y, and Z it might be. Apply that similar discipline into the work setting. It is a very good habit to have and it's very transferable. And then with their sports, like enjoy sports now, like take away all the rigors of, it's a hobby at this point, like serotonin and all the fun stuff like it released in your body when you do physical activity, you know, but yeah, enjoy it. Like even though that competitive side of the sport ends and for some of us, we're going to join the adult league, softball league or do something with it. Yeah. But it's the same sport. Yeah. So it can still be competitive, but man, just enjoy that piece of the sport. I don't think it will ever go away. Some sports last longer, you know, like if you're a tennis player, right. Not to say go play pickleball now. I can't actually play tonight. Pickleball is my favorite. But your longevity is longer, right? So just enjoy that. Yeah. And I think, I think that's great advice because if we're so stuck on, and this goes with academics as well, if we're so stuck on what's happening in the future, we're going to miss out on what's happening right now. And I, I even do that myself. I'm sure you do too. If you're stuck on, you know, the stressors of like, Oh, what's, what's my five year plan. What, you know, what am I going to do when this sport's done? Then you're missing out on you being at practice, laughing with your teammates right now. You're missing out on going to see Gloria and the athletes, you know, you're missing out on all the nows and focused on the worries of then. And as you said, like athletes are, you know, the hardest workers. And you know, they're very consistent and bringing that into the workforce. You already have an upper hand because you, you have time management. You already in your blood work hard. You're competitive. You want to meet your goals at work. It's so it's, you know, it's a positive. It can't be looked at as a negative, but also. And I would say for some of us that want to just hang it up for a little bit, that's okay too. You know, I guess back when I was in one of my introduction points, did I play college sports? I didn't. I did it. I actually did four years of RC tennis. Okay. Love it. I did tennis and I did play basketball. And then I ran cross country one year because there was a girl that I wanted to hang out with. I was in cross country because we needed to do like, you know, summer training. So whatever. Okay. That was not my wife. It's okay. We're we're next chapter. But I met with the coaches for college tennis. But then at that point in my life, after senior year of high school, I was like, man, that was back when Austin Powers was out. I was like, man, I lost my mojo for tennis. It's that competitive edge that I was like, I think I'm burnt out. I need to take a break. So didn't pursue that in college. Did athletic training, which gave me enough of that, like, game day experience, you know, getting hyped up for a game. Just for others. Yes. For others. And like, what's my role? How can I get you guys better? And how can I get you guys prepared for that competition? So I kind of lived my life vicariously. Yeah. That sounds awesome. Let's see here. I think we pretty much hit, you know, all of the topics I wanted to talk about. Did you have anything, you know, that you wanted to say to, you know, any athletes or students watching final, any final word? Yeah. I would say right now, like, share, share your stories, share, share the struggles that you guys have experienced and been through. I'm glad that Jonathan does. And I will had an opportunity to do it through this podcast. I'm sure a lot of people are learning from it. I think the more we share, the more we normalize and be like, oh, you experienced that too. Absolutely. I did too. And then we're more apt to kind of, kind of speak out and look for help. I think part of, you know, the athletes, the athletes Bible study. One of the things that really, really cool thing about that is that it builds community, you know, it just reminds the next person like, Hey, we're not perfect individuals, but we're in this together and we're going to do life together. I think we have to continue to, to, to strive to, even if we're doing like individual sports, there are always team components to it, a coach or mentor role or relationship. Keep reaching out and keep sharing your stories. Absolutely. Yeah. I love, I love that. We have athletic Bible study here for, you know, for athletes. I think as Jonathan was saying earlier, it's like such a great outlet, immediate way to connect with everybody. So definitely for anyone watching, please, please, please take advantage of it because every athlete I've talked to loves it and goes and, you know, they look forward to it on Wednesdays. So that's awesome. Yeah. Well, Gloria, I just want to say, thank you so much. I really appreciate your time and for Maddie and Jonathan, if you're watching this, which you hopefully are. Thank you so much. And just to all the listeners, thank you for tuning in and listening. Maybe we'll do something like this in the future. You know, keep it going, but yeah. Thank you so much.