5 dangerous things sports culture should stop glamorizing

Hey there, fellow sports enthusiasts and champions of life! It's your friendly ex-D1 athlete turned D1 coach, now diving into the world of therapy and mental health coaching. Hi, I’m Cindi, founder of Sports, Food, and Mental Health. 

 Today, we're unpacking some of the glittery but hazardous aspects of sports culture. So, grab a seat, maybe a snack, and let's talk about the five dangerous things sports culture should stop glamorizing.

Overcoming Struggles in Silence

Why it's dangerous: Sucking it up and pushing it down just makes it worse. It teaches athletes not to ask for help and suffer in silence. This can negatively impact mental health and allow mental health stigmas to prevail.

We've all heard the saying, "tough it out," but let's face it – the silent struggles are the ones that echo the loudest. Mental health is just as crucial as physical health, and embracing vulnerability is not a sign of weakness but a testament to strength.

Strict Diets & Weight Loss

Why it's dangerous: Celebrating this behavior reinforces to athletes that taking unhealthy and extreme measures with dieting is a positive thing. Strict dieting can hurt athletic performances and lead to lifelong health struggles, including eating disorders.

Abs may be made in the kitchen, but so are long-lasting health issues. Let's shift the narrative from extreme diets to sustainable, nutritionally balanced lifestyles. A well-fed athlete is a powerhouse, both on and off the field.

Overtraining

Why it's dangerous: Glamorizing "the grind" without rest and recovery can be dangerous to an athlete's mental and physical health. This can lead to burnout, injury, exhaustion, and negative impacts on athletic performance.

Sure, hard work pays off, but so does adequate rest. Let's break up with the "no pain, no gain" mentality and embrace the importance of recovery days. Your body and mind will thank you for it in the long run.

Competing through Injury

Why it's dangerous: Celebrating a win-at-all-costs mindset, even in the face of an injury, reinforces that a win or playing time takes priority over the physical health of an athlete.

No victory is worth sacrificing your health for. It's time to champion a culture that prioritizes player well-being over short-term wins. After all, a patched-up player isn't going to give you their best performance.

Sacrificing Everything for the Sport

Why it's dangerous: Celebrating when an athlete dedicates all aspects of their life to a sport and not encouraging a well-rounded life experience can lead to long-term mental health struggles when retiring from the sport.

Sports are incredible, but they shouldn't consume your entire identity. Let's champion a balanced life, one that allows athletes to transition smoothly into life after the game. After all, life is the ultimate marathon.

So, there you have it – five glittery but perilous aspects of sports culture that we need to rethink. Let's foster a culture that not only celebrates victories on the field but champions the well-being and growth of athletes beyond the game. Because in the game of life, there's no greater win than a healthy, happy athlete. Stay awesome, sports fam!

Written by Cindi Miller - MS, LMHC - Therapist and Mental Health Coach - Owner of Sports, Food, and Mental Health