Hello.  You are still legally a minor, male, female or other according to the age on your driver’s license.  Your involvement and enthusiasm for sports and/or competition may have waned or intensified. Now, expectations might be ratcheting up and that brings a whole new set of stresses, worries and fears.  Fears of disappointing others or yourself.  The challenge of conquering self doubt.  Overcoming injuries.  Things can get REALLY heavy at this stage of life.  

Our mission is promote mental health awareness and contribute to suicide prevention (that’s getting really heavy) among young athletes and competitors.  We do so by working with a host of youth sports/youth competitions supporter and advocates.  But the singular most important person in the accomplishment of our mission is still YOU.  

You may now have a job.  You may be driving.  You may have a first, life sharing partner.  While your driver’s license – or i.d. – says you are still legally a minor, you are picking-up momentum to become a full fledged, card caring, legal adult.   You may have gone a little nuts along the way and/or you may have it totally together.  In either case, you are still you and that is good enough for us and needs to be good enough for you too …in fact, ideally, better than good enough.

Can we talk about this?  If you’ve backed off sports/competition, that might be okay and cool – if done for the right reasons.  Our mantra is – only you know how you feel.  We encourage you to talk about things that are bothering you with trusted confidants, but as with most things with life, that is a personal choice.  

Hopefully, the lessons you learned along the way from participation in sports and competition will assist you in the happy pursuit of your life as it exists today.  The values, morals, discipline and standards associated with participating in sports and competition can often be applied to life.  

Now, let’s talk about chasing your dreams …being all that you think you can and want to be through your involvement with sports/competitive activities.  The word “competition” conveys meaning …meaning that others want the same things that you want.  It implies that they are intent upon imposing their will over yours.  That’s called, “conflict.”  Conflict can be good spirited (referred to as good sportsmanship), or it can be mean spirited (to the victor goes the spoils).

To compete and win, usually requires that you believe and are confident that you are better and can prevail over your opponent(s).  Some sports involve individual competition and team sports involve group/tribal competition.  There are usually personal and team goals and hierarchies/levels of competition involved.  At each level, there are increasing demands placed upon participants.

As an older teen, you and your family have likely become somewhat aware of the hurdles and requirements that you will face as you attempt to advance up the hierarchy of competitive achievement – from amateur, collegiate (whatever that is now) up to professional.   Injuries, grades, or other stuff, on into ad infinitum, can be contributing factors to whether you are able to accomplish your future goals.

Can we be honest here? You and your family may have grave misperceptions of what it requires to pursue and accomplish your future athletic/competitive aspirations.  Plus, your final destination may not be what you think it is …the cost to get there may be too steep …you may unfairly and unjustly denied the opportunities that you long for. In spite of it all, you are still you and that is better than good enough for us and your loved ones …and please, please, cling onto it being better than good enough for you too.  Try your best, takes what come and remain solid with your self esteem and pursuit of happiness in life.  Sports can be a means to an end, but it should never be allowed to contribute to the harm of one’s self.