Athletes, Thoughts of Suicide, & Finding Light Through the Darkness

03/09/21 • 60 min

It’s not something we talk about much. Maybe we don’t know how to start the conversation. Maybe we’re afraid we might get in over our heads. Maybe it’s just not on our radar because we don’t have personal experience with it. But with 1 in 4 young people having considered suicide during the pandemic (Source: CDC), suicide really is something we can’t afford to ignore.

In this extremely candid interview, former NFL linebacker Marcus Smith II shares his personal experience with suicidal thoughts and tells the story of the day he came within inches of taking his own life despite having an incredible support system. He opens up about the feelings he had and the overwhelming burden of his internal dialogue which he struggled for years to confront out loud. Marcus encourages others who are deeply struggling to “take the mask off”, and be courageous enough to voice their pain and get help. In this episode, Marcus discusses:

The tendency of athletes to mask their pain
The dangers of habitually pushing deep pain to the side
Advice for athletes struggling with hopelessness
Contending with pre-conceived ideas on seeking professional help
The power of letting the emotions out through therapy
Redefining “mental toughness”, a culture shift we can all be a part of
How athletic programs can foster a healthy culture surrounding mental health
The power of finding your purpose beyond athletic performance
Perspective on how personal pain can be redeemed for good
Advice for the support network of an athlete deeply struggling

Don’t miss this incredibly insightful interview which is ultimately a story of hope and healing. Please note this is a very sensitive interview and may be emotionally triggering for those with personal or second hand experience wit suicide or suicidal thoughts. Be prepared to talk through your feelings with someone you trust after listening.

♥️ If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, available 24/7, at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for support or text TALK to 741-741 to reach a Crisis Counselor.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

10 Myths About Suicide & Young People

Know the Signs

The tendency of athletes to mask their pain
The dangers of habitually pushing deep pain to the side
Advice for athletes struggling with hopelessness
Contending with pre-conceived ideas on seeking professional help
The power of letting the emotions out through therapy
Redefining “mental toughness”, a culture shift we can all be a part of
How athletic programs can foster a healthy culture surrounding mental health
The power of finding your purpose beyond athletic performance
Perspective on how personal pain can be redeemed for good
Advice for the support network of an athlete deeply struggling

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

10 Myths About Suicide & Young People

Know the Signs

Previous Episode

Cultivating Resilience: Turning Obstacles Into Opportunities

What do you do when circumstances outside your control continuously interfere with your plans? . . . When the hits just keep coming and you fear being ultimately blocked off your goals? When optimism seems perhaps, a bit elusive?

This is a time for building resiliency and investing in your mental game to help you rise above and push forward. Former Oklahoma State cornerback Devin Hedgepeth shares his framework for cultivating resiliency, a system he discovered after experiencing a career-ending injury that blocked him from his dreams of playing in the NFL. Devin’s approach for leveraging obstacles is relevant no matter what obstacles you face — even the roadblocks.

This episode will equip you to change your mindset, thoughts, actions, and ultimately your life. There’s ALWAYS a way to rise above. Take a listen and SHARE with your teammates! Let’s move forward together!

Devin's free ebook "The Victorious Defeat" includes a helpful workbook to help you put his system into action. Access his free book HERE.

Next Episode

Identity Check: How Athletic Identity Shapes Our Response to Setbacks

It’s something we can take for granted — our personal identity and how it shapes our view of self, our perceptions, and our challenges. Often times due to intense personal schedules for athletes, it’s challenging to find time for personal reflection on “lofty” things such as how we find our self-worth and where we find meaning. But what if those “lofty” things were impacting us in significant ways? What if taking the time to think through our identity could change everything?

It’s important to take a step back and acknowledge that there’s a “shadow side” to the high-performance mentality so often employed by dedicated athletes. Our pursuit of excellence can sometimes come at the cost of our own emotional health without us even realizing it.

Our guest today, former professional athlete, researcher, and licensed therapist, Dr. Ben Houltberg, specializes in the topic of identity with athletes. In this conversation, he discusses:

How performance-based identity impacts our response to setbacks and roadblocks
The “markers” of an unhealthy athletic identity
The difference between a high-performance mentality and a performance-based identity
How we can go about dismantling some of the unhealthy habits we’ve formed that feed into a performance-based identity
Practical advice for how to cultivate a healthy identity
The power of pain being transformed into purpose
Perspective for athletes struggling with feelings of disappointment and let-down from an unfulfilling sports season or the loss of their sports season altogether due to COVID-impact or injury, etc.
And more!

➡️ A thought-provoking interview about how understanding who we are and what we value connects us with something bigger than ourselves and leads us to the greatest fulfillment in our sport participation and in life beyond sports as well.