Season 2, Episode 14: Mental Health, Athletics, and the Holistic Approach (Part 2 of 2)

In Part 2 of our conversation on mental health and athletics, Tiffani Fritzsche and Kirk Fasshauer welcome back licensed clinical social worker, athlete, and founder of Willow’s Path Counseling, Jessica Dobbertin-Brusso. Together, they explore what happens when the season ends, an athlete experiences an injury, or their identity becomes too closely tied to performance.

Jessica shares practical ways athletes can find balance through the offseason, strengthen their support systems, recognize warning signs that they may need additional help, and navigate challenges with nutrition, recovery, self-image, and negative self-talk. The conversation offers an important reminder that athletes are people first—and that being kind to yourself, having fun, nurturing relationships, and knowing when to ask for support are all part of finding balance.