Athletes need impactful, focused mental health support during critical times (Britton et al., 2024). Vital to success is an emotional understanding of athletes' needs, supporting mental health challenges while building coping resources (Williams et al., 2024).

Once, I was that high-level athlete, forced to perform under less-than-supportive coaching. I know the feeling of standing at the start line at the Worlds, with all the trust in yourself turning to jello in your knees. I got into coaching and co-created a strength-based, supportive, thriving Provincial youth team. This led me to be part of the group that created Adventure Running Kids, one of Ontario's most successful youth sports outdoor programs.

You have worked far too hard. Let's train your mind as hard as your body towards a place of mental wellbeing.

BLOG - Grief & Injuries

“Mental health is just as important as physical health.

You can’t perform your best if you’re not taking care of both.” ~ Simone Manuel

woman in black and red one piece swimsuit standing on shore during daytime

Mental health support throughout rehabilitation can positively impact recovery outcome, allowing people to build psychological and performance skills necessary for success (Haugen, 2022). A few years ago I tripped and fell while hiking with my dog. Two-surgeries, thirteen months apart, equated to a long recovery from this ankle trauma.

Research shows that healthier minds have a positive impact on recovery time after a serious injury (Henriksen et al., 2020). I have a good understanding of some of the challenges, burdens, and pressures one can feel when one's body is suddenly not able to do what it once could. I've been there.

Let's Talk

“

“The hardest part of the injury is not the physical rehab;

it’s the mental battle to believe you can come back.” ~lindsey vonn

Support in Sports, Exercise, and Injury Recovery

Support in Sports, Exercise, and Injury Recovery

  • Loss of identity

  • Grief after injury

  • Burnout and exhaustion

  • Pressure and perfectionism

Performance and Mindset Support

  • Competition anxiety

  • Performance blocks

  • Overthinking and fear

  • Confidence rebuilding

Injury, Recovery, and Return to Play

Performance and Mindset Support

  • Emotional recovery

  • Fear of re‑injury

  • Rehab motivation

  • Returning to performance after time away

  • Emotional recovery

  • Fear of re‑injury

  • Rehab motivation

  • Returning to sport after time away

Balancing Sport, Life, and Mental Health

  • Boundaries and expectations

  • Sustainable training

  • Stress and recovery

  • Navigating school/work/sport demands

man helping another on stand up


Britton, D., Wood, A. G., & Pitt, T. (2024). Having Impact and Doing It Quickly: The Place for Brief and Single-Session Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies in Sport Psychology Practice. The Sport Psychologist, 38(2), 137-146.

Haugen, E. (2022). Athlete mental health & psychological impact of sport injury. Operative Techniques in Sports Medicine, 30(1), 150898.

​​

Henriksen, K., Schinke, R., Moesch, K., McCann, S., Parham, W. D., Larsen, C. H., & Terry, P. (2020). Consensus statement on improving the mental health of high performance athletes. International journal of sport and exercise psychology, 18(5), 553-560.

​

Williams, A., Butt, J., & Kavanagh, E. (2024). An exploration of coaches’ and sport psychologists’ experiences of managing performance blocks. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 36(2), 301-319.

references

Email: nina@livingroomwellness..com

Email: nina@livingroomwellness..com

If you are in crisis or need immediate assistance.

Canada's Suicide Crisis Helpline 9-8-8

For Emergencies Call 9-1-1 or to your local ER

BREATHE - 1-800-917-0272 (Black victims and survivors of crime across Canada)

Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868

For Indigenous People across Canada - 1-855-242-3310

LivingRoomWellness is not a crisis service.

LivingRoom Wellness is situated upon the traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee, and Mississaugas. This land is covered by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, which was an agreement between the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabek to share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. This land is covered by the Between the Lakes Purchase, 1792, between the Crown and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. The region is home to many Indigenous Peoples from across Turtle Island. I strive to do more and learn more about the rich history of this land so that I can better understand roles as a resident, neighbour, collaborater, and caretaker. Furthermore, this learning will deepen my understanding of my privileges as a settler on this territory.

Acknowledgement

LGBTQI2SA+ Safe Space