Transforming the Game: Katie Steele's Mission to Prioritize Athlete Mental Health
The Mental Game: Strategies for Success with Katie Steele
From the early days of competitive sports, Katie Steele felt a profound connection to the track. As a talented runner, she earned opportunities to compete at prestigious institutions like the University of Oregon and Florida State University. But her journey through collegiate athletics wasn't a smooth sprint to the finish line; it was a marathon marked by injury, adversity, and a realization that would shape the rest of her career.
Katie's time at these universities was tumultuous. Her initial passion for running and sports began to wane as she faced mistreatment and exploitation, leading to a series of injuries that left her in a boot for nine months. "While I was in it, I thought it was me, and I thought I was the problem," Katie reflects. "I internalized all of it and took it on if I wasn't living up to the expectations I felt I should have achieved." It wasn't until years later, through retroactive healing and reflection, that Katie fully grasped the extent of the impact that experience had on her mental health.
This period of introspection fueled Katie's passion for athlete mental health. After earning her graduate degree in Couples and Family Therapy at the University of Oregon, she focused on supporting athletes' mental well-being. "Knowing with proper resources, we can prevent a significant amount of athletes’ suffering," she says. Today, Katie is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, the co-founder of Thrive Mental Health in Bend, Oregon, and co-author of The Price She Pays, a book that highlights the often-overlooked struggles of female athletes.
Katie's personal experiences have significantly influenced her work. "I went into the field knowing this is something that is blatantly being ignored, at least at the time," she explains. Her journey has been shaped by a desire to ensure that future athletes do not have to endure the same hardships she did. As the Executive Director of the Athletes’ Mental Health Organization, a nonprofit dedicated to transforming athletic culture, Katie is on a mission to change the way sports and mental health intersect.
In her recent appearance on the "Bound for Greatness" podcast, hosted by Scott Garvis, Katie discussed her vision for a future where mental health is prioritized in every athlete's journey. "Athletics is the ideal entry point to be able to have early intervention," she emphasizes. By integrating mental health practices into sports, Katie believes we can prevent many of the challenges athletes face and create a more fulfilling, long-lasting relationship with sports.
Katie's approach is rooted in three core tenets: curiosity, compassion, and connection. She advocates for coaches to be genuinely curious about their athletes, not just as performers but as people. "I want to know your interest outside of what I see on the field or the track or the course," Katie says. This curiosity, coupled with compassion, helps build trust and loyalty, which in turn leads to better performance and healthier athletes.
Her work has already begun to make waves. At Thrive Mental Health, Katie and her team offer free resources for athletes, coaches, and parents, designed to make mental health support accessible to everyone. These resources cover topics like creating team agreements, understanding the role of coaches in mental health, and recognizing when to refer athletes to specialized care. The goal is to integrate mental health practices seamlessly into athletic programs, regardless of their size or budget.
For Katie, the mission is personal and urgent. She knows firsthand the damage that can be done when mental health is overlooked in sports. Yet, she also sees the immense potential for positive change. "Together, I know to my bones—and through a lot of research—that we can change the framework of sport and mental health and preserve the health of the athlete," Katie states with conviction. Her vision is one of hope and transformation, where sports not only build physical strength but also nurture mental resilience and emotional well-being.
As Katie continues to advocate for a healthier athletic culture, she remains driven by her experiences and the belief that sports can be a powerful force for good. She is committed to ensuring that sports are an enriching experience for youth, one that elevates their mental health and well-being. With leaders like Katie Steele at the forefront, the future of athletics looks brighter, healthier, and more compassionate than ever before.
Bound for Greatness Podcast
Bound for Greatness is a podcast that addresses current issues facing athletic professionals and also offers leadership strategies for coaches and athletic administrators. Coach and athletic administrative veteran, Scott Garvis, tackles the issues facing education based activities from a unique perspective; sometimes irreverent, sometimes cynical, and sometimes serious. Scott covers current topics while also providing leadership lessons from his career as coach and administrator.
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