Female athletes at FAU on football field meditating.

Empowering College Athletes’ Mental Health

Group of college athletes on FAU football field with Mary Ann Morgan FriedFlorida Atlantic University athletes and staff participated in a yoga and mindfulness session with Mary Ann Morgan Fried on October 3, 2023.

Being a college athlete means juggling intense training, academics, and personal life. It’s okay to acknowledge the mental challenges that come with it! At the beginning of this month we acknowledged Mental Health Week; let’s shine a light on the well-being of our incredible college athlete community.

Athleticism Beyond the Game

Remember, your strength isn’t just physical, it’s mental too. Your mental health matters as much as your physical training. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re feeling the pressure. We’re in this together!

Mindfulness in Sports

Embrace the power of mindfulness and mental preparation in your game. Visualization, breathing exercises, and positive affirmations can boost your confidence and focus. Share your mental prep tips and inspire your fellow athletes!

Talk, Share, Support

Athletes, coaches, and teammates – let’s keep the communication lines open. Be the listening ear someone might need. Your support can make a significant difference. Together, we can create a team culture of understanding and empathy.

Balancing Act

Balancing sports and academics can be challenging. It’s okay to ask for help. Your mental health impacts your performance. Reach out to counselors, teammates, or mentors if you’re feeling overwhelmed. There’s strength in seeking support.

Feel free to share this post with the college athletes in your life to encourage mental health awareness and support within your community. Together, we can create a supportive environment where every athlete feels heard, valued, and empowered.

FAU female athletes doing yoga on the football field.FAU athletes practicing yoga during the school’s Mental Health Week in October.

Female athletes at FAU on football field meditating.FAU athletes learning how to meditate during the school’s Mental Health Week in October.

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Show Up for What’s Up

I was listening to Dear Gabby, and when she said this, I thought, “YES! Just show up for what’s up!” This has been my experience the last few years.

I believe that our inner work is right in front of us, but we often get distracted by life and don’t always make time for what truly matters.

I know for so many years I was focusing on so many different things. I was trying to achieve so many goals instead of looking right in front of me. In my last teacher training, I was feeling this ROCK inside of me, but I didn’t want to go there! I was trying to shield myself, but I knew something was about to shift! Instead of just sitting down and talking about the uncomfortable things in my life, I just avoided looking at what was showing up for me.

I know the work we have to do is hard, and I really never like to go there! But this is the work that has saved me in my life.

In my twenties, I hit rock bottom. I was very successful in my career, but my personal life was a mess. I never wanted to look in front of me. Luckily, I had the greatest therapist in the world who guiding me to where I am today. It was the hardest work I had to do on myself, but if it wasn’t for my therapist, my 12 Step meetings and my sponsor, I wouldn’t be here today.

If you have something uncomfortable that you know you need to deal with, please give it your attention. It may be hard, but it’s SO worth it in the end. Because, YOU MATTER.

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What you need NOW: Gabby Bernstein and Rha Goddess

If you know me, you know I’m a HUGE fan of Gabby Bernstein. And because of her, I’m now fan-girling over author Rha Goddess since she introduced me to Rha during Gabby’s Spirit Junkie Masterclass. (I even got to meet her in March when she was here for a Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life workshop! Thank you Barb Schmidt and Michelle Maros!)

If you don’t know about Rha, I’m here to fix that!

Gabby and Rha recently got together for an Instagram video session, and it was AMAZING! I believe Rha’s words and wisdom are so important for us all, and especially now. Please take time to listen to their conversation, and let me know what you think! (Note: the video opens with an impromptu “Dear Gabby” session, and then Rha comes on at the 5:30 mark.)

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Rha Goddess is the CEO of Move The Crowd, and author of The Calling: 3 Fundamental Shifts to Stay True, Get Paid, and Do Good.

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A post shared by Gabrielle Bernstein (@gabbybernstein) on

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Committing… just do it

Commitments are so important to honor and to follow through on, whether it’s your career, your dream, your vision. When we follow through on something that is important to us, then we start to feel this energetic support, and it begins with ourselves. If there’s something that you really, really want to work on and that you want to create, think about how you’re holding that space for you every day. Because we can have a thought, we can have a dream, and we can sit with those dreams. But if we don’t take action they just sit there. But once we start talking about it, working towards it, or researching information, or there’s a dream that you’ve had for a long time, but you sat with it for a long time, maybe just take action today.

I know that we’re coming into 2020 soon, and everybody has their commitments, their New Year’s resolutions… I always say, you know, make a commitment today. Don’t wait until the new year, don’t wait until, “you know what I’m ready to do this…”

Just do it.

We are supported. And it begins with ourselves, and it begins with following through on our own commitments, and not being afraid. Fear can so paralyze us, and if we stay in fear, and we stay in doubt, then it blocks us energetically. So today, please take action. Follow through, and please share with me on what you’re committing to. Because when we put it out there it just hold us accountable.

I love you guys, peace out. Namaste.

Mary Ann

Be sure to turn on the volume on the video!

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Getting Unstuck

If you’re feeling stuck, try this: get clear on what you want. Cancel out the noise and truly tune into your inner world.

  • What makes you happy?
  • When do you feel the most fulfilled?
  • Who do you feel best around?

Most importantly, get clear on your values. When you know your values, you can act in alignment with those values. This process of getting to know ONESELF is so key to getting out of a rut.

Journaling is an amazing way to dig deep and understand what one truly wants for their life. I feel that this is such an important topic to expand on because so many people feel stuck in their lives, feel unfulfilled, and feel ultimately unhappy. This can be CHANGED if you are willing to make a commitment to yourself.

On Vulnerability:

Allow yourself to feel. Listen to what your heart is telling you. Try journaling to get those thoughts down. Just write one sentence if that’s all you can do. No filtering, no erasing- simply explore what comes up for you and what feels true!

On Patience:

Think of 3 things you appreciate about the current stage of your life.

On Meditation:

Just practice. There is no perfect meditation. Simply close your eyes, breathe, and listen with an open heart.

The key to getting un-stuck will be different for everyone, but it starts with listening, calming the mind, and understanding what one truly wants. Once an intention can be implemented, it is easier to work towards something. Take it one day at a time and be kind to yourself along the way. And remember, we are all in this together.

“No one can hold you higher than yourself.” – Alicia Keyes

Mary Ann

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Self Love

Self love is about taking initiative of your life, honestly asking yourself:

Does this serve me?
What can I do to change it if it doesn’t?

Then, it’s about committing to yourself, and actively incorporating that change on a daily basis. It’s a balance between being kind to yourself when you need it but also holding yourself accountable and responsible for your wellbeing.

Self love is an ongoing DEDICATION to being the best version of you that there is.

Mary Ann

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