Colin Jonov | NFL Was Just the Start

This episode features Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Executive Director of Millennium Counseling Center, Derek Bylsma. This episode is about bringing lived experience to clinical work, suicide prevention and awareness, and addressing the mental health stigma that still exists today.

In this Athlete Mindset podcast, Derek also discusses mental health in young athletes, his background as a clinician, and how he leads as a coach of a girls’ high school soccer team.

Topics discussed in “Bringing Lived Experience to Clinical Work with Derek Bylsma”:

• Derek shares his story of becoming a mental health professional.
• How to spot athletes struggling with mental health.
• It’s important to stay approachable for those who may need help.
• How Derek blends being a clinician with being a coach.
• Helping young female athletes build confidence and speak up for themselves.
• How social media has changed the way young people see the world.
• The importance of learning how to adapt your coaching style.

About Derek Byslma, LCPC:

• Derek is the Executive Director of Millennium Counseling Center.
• He holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Roosevelt University.
• As a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and board-certified counselor, he specializes in recovery-related work, mood disorders, and co-occurring disorders.
• Derek’s passion for athletics and helping others led him to lead the Sports division at the Millennium Counseling Center.
• He boasts a distinguished background as a two-time college All-American and All-Big Ten soccer player, transitioning from player to renowned High School soccer coach in Illinois.

Production team:

• Athlete Mindset is part of the podcast network, QuietLoud Studios
• Presented by SportsE Media: a digital sports media brand for entrepreneurs engaged in sports

Social media and more:

• Lisa Bonta Sumii: LinkedIn | Instagram | AthMindset website
• SportsE Media: TikTok | Instagram | X
• Derek Bylsma: Podcast | LinkedIn | X

Related episodes to “Bringing Lived Experience to Clinical Work with Derek Bylsma”:

• Dr. Jessica Bartley, Director of Mental Health for Team USA
• Allison Schmitt | 10-Time Olympic Medalist on Mental Health
• 4 Lessons I Learned from Coaching Youth Basketball

Music credit:

• Beat Provided By freebeats.io | Produced By White Hot

Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW | CEO & Founder of AthMindset®

Lisa brings a high level of expertise to the athlete mental health space, from both a clinical and performance focus. She works with elite youth athletes, collegiate student-athletes, Olympians/Olympic hopefuls, professional athletes, coaches, teams, and the entire sport ecosystem.

Lisa is the first-ever Mental Performance Coach for the Oakland Roots Sports Club, a men’s professional soccer team, in the USL, working alongside other coaches on the Technical Team, as well as the Sports Medicine staff.

Lisa is listed in the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s Mental Health Registry, the NFL Player Association’s Clinician Directory, and the Major League Rugby Mental Health and Wellness Directory.

As a direct response to need, Lisa founded AthMindset® – a diverse team of athlete-centered, licensed mental health clinicians and mental performance consultants, serving across several states.

Lisa is a professional podcast host and podcast guest. She hosts the Athlete Mindset Podcast and co-hosts Roots Radio. She is a keynote speaker, an accomplished TEDx Speaker, speaks nationally and internationally, and is often invited to speak at conferences and contribute to expert panels.

Lisa has been quoted in Time Magazine, Teen Vogue, Women’s Health Magazine, as well as being interviewed on the BB...