Cultivating Resilience: Turning Obstacles Into Opportunities

02/10/21 • 45 min

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.

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

Previous Episode

Depression: Getting Help or Concerned for a Friend

Following up on our last full episode, Getting Real About Depression: Four Athletes Discuss Pressures, Identity, & Purpose, we asked Northwestern University’s sports psychiatrist, Bettina Frankel to join us to discuss some lingering questions. In this quick 30 minute episode, Dr. Frankel addresses some of the basics surrounding the athlete experience with depression:

How to distinguish if it may be time to seek professional help
Who to reach out to if you’re struggling
How to talk to a friend/teammate you are concerned about
Concerns about medications affecting athletic performance
Perspective on the internal pressure a lot of athletes feel to “handle things” on their own

An important episode for athletes and those working with athletes so that we can all be better prepared to support mental health in ourselves and on our teams. Take a listen and share this episode with your team! You never know who could be in need of this very important information!
Looking for more resources or the online screening Dr. Frankel mentions in this episode? Check out Sidelined USA's online Mental Health Support Resource Page.

Next Episode

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

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