If u’ve been following you know I like posting original content…& I’m not a labels person. I threw both those out this window for this post sent to me by my friend @jimmyconrad from the @usmntonly page…bc in the context of the MH convo, it’s too impt not to share.
We’ve seen a # of public figures retire, or take a pause, to work on their MH: from Andrew Luck to Naomi Osaka to Shawn Mendez.
What we’ve not heard a lot of is someone taking that pause/retiring & starting something completely NEW & DIFFERENT from how we originally came to know them in the public eye, & that endeavor being a part of saving their lives & excelling.
Enter the story of Jeff Dewsnup, who became a pro soccer player in the MLS at only 16. Struggles w anxiety & depression (reason I was ok w the labels here is – he’s clearly talking abt the burnout that happens from the accumulation of “stuff” in life, even at a young age, that just makes our MH a mess – something so many can relate to).
He describes how life beat him up…& he thought as an athlete he just needed to grin & bear it & push thru, & things would eventually get better. But they didn’t. He had to remove himself from the sport entirely.
What got him out of that dark place? Playing music? Writing abt & playing abt his struggles. Forming a band w his friends – one that started to gain a local following. And that very activity’s what pulled him out. Athlete to musician.
Imagine – 2 completely diff skills.
This story hits home for me personally in a big way. Why? I thought my purpose & identity was: The Sports Exec. It’s all I knew. Did it my whole career. Remember getting my first biz card w the NBA Logoman on it & thinking “I’m here.”
Then the crash happened, & as I started to heal I started to learn about MH. About stress/trauma & the brain-body connection. It led me down a path of writing & sharing my story, & now a career in MH advocacy. Traveling to schools/offices & doing something I love even more than the sports career I thought I’d never top.
Mine was a forced pause/retirement – but it doesn’t have to be. A change can be GOOD for you. You are NOT only your career/sport.