Julie Kliegman dives into the often overlooked mental health challenges faced by athletes. She discusses her book, 'Mind Games', and her journey into exploring mental wellness in sports. The conversation highlights the public's often unrealistic expectations of athletes, the stigma around mental health, and the pressures arising from a high-profile sports career. Notable mentions include athletes like Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, Renee Richards, and the impact of race, gender, and identity on the perception of mental health issues. Julie also discusses the role of sports psychology, the need for better support systems, and the importance of recognizing athletes as regular people despite their exceptional public performances.

About Julie Kliegman:

Julie Kliegman is a writer and editor in New York whose work has appeared in outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Sports Illustrated, Slate, Vulture, The Ringer, Texas Monthly, and more. Their first book, Mind Game: An Inside Look at the Mental Health Playbook of Elite Athletes, was published in 2024.

juliekliegman.com

Purchase Mind Game Here / Signed copies

Episode Timestamps:

• (01:35) Julie’s interest in mental wellness for athletes
• (02:20) Athletes speaking out; breaking the stigma
• (04:10) Challenges faced by athletes: race, gender, and identity
• (06:45) The role of coaches and teams; financial inequities
• (08:40) The progress being made and future needs
• (11:20) Confidentiality concerns in team environments
• (16:15) Sports psychology; creative approaches to mental wellness for athletes
• (19:30) Julie’s upcoming book about Renee Richards
• (20:45) It’s ok to not be ok

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