The Flawless Team recently participated in the 3rd Str3ngth in Stories virtual mental health conference. This conference was hosted by D1on1, Hilinski’s Hope, and Dam Worth it – three Flawless organizations that are committed to making a change in the world not only for college athletes but for individuals everywhere who may be facing emotional and brain health challenges.
D1on1 was founded by Andrew Cooper and providing a platform for college athletes because they believe that everyone has a story that deserves to be told. Hilinski’s Hope was founded by Kym and Mark Hilinski in response to the loss of their son and former Washington State Quarterback Tyler Hilinski, who died by suicide in January of 2018. Dam Worth It was founded by Taylor Ricci and Nathan Braaten, two student-athletes at Oregon State University who saw that there was a change needed around the topic of mental health and suicide. Together these non-profit organizations are inspiring not only our community of student-athletes but many others who are learning from their important lessons.
The conference kicked off with a keynote speaker, Patrick Cacciatore, who is a current Men’s Tennis player at the University of Nebraska. Patrick shared his powerful story and reminded all of us that it is okay to not be okay. He authentically walked us through his experiences, his challenges, his highs and his lows, and encouraged everyone who may be struggling to reach out and get help.
Another one of the highlights was the small group breakout sessions where conference leaders facilitated conversations with attendees. From this conversation, an important message was provided: sometimes the best way to help others is to help yourself. There’s an age-old adage that says “you can’t pour from an empty cup,” meaning that you have to fill your cup first before being able to give to others. Taking care of ourselves needs to be our top priority.
This was important because so many of the college athletes who attended this conference displayed their empathic nature and mentioned what more they could do for others. But in a very honest and open way, they also shared the challenges they endure. This gathering allowed for athletes to think about the ways in which they need to care for themselves with the same enthusiasm they do for others.
It was an honor to connect with such a compassionate group of young athletes who are all leaders not just on their respective teams, but in their communities. Allow for this to be a lesson for everyone, athlete or not, that it is so important to check in with yourself and prioritize self-care. We are all currently experiencing such trying times, but let’s not allow this to distract us from taking care of ourselves. For more on this impactful event make sure to check out Flawless Fellow Tre and Flawless Intern Jason’s recap of the night!
