Join me in the men's locker room today with world-renowned athlete and coach, Forest Braden. While you might know him as, The Boise Bruiser, at one point in my life, I knew him as coach. Today, we sit down face to face for the first time in seven years for some closure and communication. The last time we spoke, I sat in his office after returning from a leave of absence from my studies at UCLA due to my struggles with my mental health only to find out that I had actually lost my NCAA eligibility and would no longer be permitted to compete for UCLA or any other university ever again. This is one of the greatest heartbreaks I have ever had to endure and it was also difficult having that instant cut-off of communication with my coach- someone I saw every day for two years and had deep admiration and respect for. Join us for an amazing episode in which we discuss his double lens as both a competitor of the sport and coach, how his coaching and the distance running climate has changed over the years, the controversial Conrad Mainwaring (Coach Avondale) sexual abuse case, what he is up to now, and a little about his own journey to confidence as an athlete and man.

 https://tribeathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/coaches/forest-braden/3222 


 https://worldathletics.org/athletes/united-states/forest-braden-14233143


https://chng.it/J9rw6tFgHN Sign my petition to encourage the NCAA to implement a Mental-Health Redshirt option for student-athletes that need to take a pause on competition to prioritize and address their mental health struggles without jeopardizing their future as a competitor. 

In addition, the NCAA may consider implementing a policy that mental health practitioners be available for all teams to have access to while traveling, at training camps and on a weekly basis for student-athletes to have access to. Let's take care of our student athletes, protect their future, and treat them like people, not products! Please sign and share! 

https://www.madisonholleranfoundation.org/  “Speak out about mental-health and end the stigma.” Need help now? 1.800.273. TALK (8255)

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ “The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning) young people.” Go to this website to access support via texting, phone call, online chat, and more. 

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention “Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or text the Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741). Both services are free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All calls are confidential. Contact social media outlets directly if you are concerned about a friend’s social media updates or dial 911 in an emergency.”