Identity of the Athlete: Mental Wellness Beyond the Game John Kleber

"It was also some of the darkest times that I've experienced because of burnout and resentment toward my sport...I was loving life at Ohio State and also hating every morning diving into the pool."Katie opens up about the burnout and unhealthy relationship with sport, food, and her body that led her into a career as a dietitian.

“I started mourning basketball, probably when I was 14 or 15...when I started to realize I wasn't as good as I was before (the injury). So I knew my career wasn't going where I thought it was much sooner than probably other people...so I've had many stages of mourning." My big brother, Sam Kleber, discusses his intense focus on basketball, the injury that altered his career at a young age, and lessons on personal agency.

Former Illinois womens basketball player and current professional basketball player kicks off season 2, discussing the meaning and connection that sport gave her, and the growth that life challenges facilitated.

Dele, a former Illinois football standout, speaks on his unorthodox high school experience, managing the emotional rollercoaster of college football, and struggling to find acceptance in the midst of disappointment.

"This is what I'm supposed to do. This is who I am. And then everything of who I am is stripped away, and I just felt, like, bare." Tiffany, a former Big Ten track athlete, speaks on her natural competitiveness, the impact of emotional closeness and support on achievement, and the pain of athletic identity loss.

"...my experiences...but if they're not good, I try to either change them or I just block them out and try to forget." Lindsay Brown joins the podcast to discuss the stress of athletic uncertainty, the challenge of facing emotions, and the pressures of physical appearance for girls and women.