When Deon Reid was growing up in the sport of Diving, his eyes were focused on one thing: the Olympics. Dead-set on making it there, Deon sought out the right program, coach, culture, and training environment to support him on his path. That journey took him from Duke to USC, away from diving, and back to it again. This episode recounts all that he learned about himself as both an athlete and a person in the process.

Fast-forward to today, Deon is a dedicated Spin Instructor at GritCycle, known for his high energy and commitment to fitness excellence. Armed with undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Southern California, Deon is driven to advance his career within the fitness industry. His goal is to leverage his education and passion for wellness to inspire others and make a lasting impact on their health journeys.

Connect with Deon:

IG: @diverreid

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Learn more about The Sideline Perspective:

Website: http://thesidelineperspective.com
Submit Your Story: http://thesidelineperspective.com/submit/
Instagram: @thesidelineperspective
Connect with Mac: mac@thesidelineperspective.com

This episode features Mac and Erica as they dive into the sometimes confusing, and often overwhelming, world of therapy and mental health support. They cover why athletes can benefit from working with a therapist, the various approaches therapy can take, and tips to be sure the therapist you choose is the right fit.

Erica Curry is a former D1 athlete and now licensed therapist. During her time as a springboard diver in college, she watched her teammates struggle with various mental health issues as she fought my own battle with anxiety - leading her to the decision to become a therapist. Now, she gets to help athletes transition out of sport and manage issues like depression, grief, anxiety, perfectionism and substance use problems. She aims to equip her clients with the skills they need to have a fulfilling athletic career and life. She does this with the help of DBT and RO-DBT, both of which are skill based therapies that pave the way for her work with athletes.

Connect with Erica:

Website: https://coachericacurry.com/
Email: ericacurrylmft@gmail.com
IG: @ericacurrylmft

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Learn more about The Sideline Perspective:

Website: http://thesidelineperspective.com
Submit Your Story: http://thesidelineperspective.com/submit/
Instagram: @thesidelineperspective
Connect with Mac: mac@thesidelineperspective.com

On the second "Panel Perspective" style episode, Mac is joined by two guests, and former teammates who share their thoughts on the question:

"Why have so many athletes taken up running in life after sport?"

Each panelist comes from a different running background - from ultramarathon champion to just getting started. They delve into their reasons behind picking up running post-sports, and explore its dual nature as both a simple yet infinitely complex activity. The conversation touches on personal journeys, mental health benefits, goal setting, and the importance of embracing the process over performance. They also share practical advice for newcomers on how to start running with minimal pressure and maximum enjoyment.

Panelists incude:

Elena Horton - Elena is a former D1 hockey player, an avid outdoor-adventurer, endurance athlete, traveler, and general get-out-of-her-comfort-zoner. She fully believes that we are all much more capable than we may think and that adventure is our greatest tool for learning about ourselves. Her current goal is to help others embrace the adventure in life–to discover new sources of inspiration, find the joy in temporary discomfort, and take risks on themselves so that they can be surprised by the abilities they never knew they had. Connect with Elena: https://elenahorton.com/ or @elena_horton

Morgan Turner - Morgan is a former Dartmouth and professional hockey player. Since ending her hockey career, she has transitioned to being the director of a run club called Electric Athletic Club in New York City. She has ran 4 marathons, aims to complete all 6 majors, and one day qualify to run Boston! She mostly runs for the kudos on Strava, but the physical and mental benefits of running aren't too bad either. Connect with Morgan: @morgan.turner18

Mac Morse - Mac is the Founder of The Sideline Perspective, as well as a certified Athlete Development Specialist and professional in the Olympic and Paralympic movement. Having gone through her own experiences as a D1 athlete, she created The Sideline Perspective as a platform to shed light on the hidden challenges competitive athletes face when temporarily sidelined or no longer able to compete. In her work across various sport organizations, Mac hopes to make an impact on the culture of athletics in the United States - promoting whole athlete development and high performance as two parts of the same whole. Mac lives in Park City Utah with her husband and loves to try new sports/activities, most recently including: trail running and bike packing! Connect with Mac: @m.stonge12

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Learn more about The Sideline Perspective:

Website: http://thesidelineperspective.com
Submit Your Story: http://thesidelineperspective.com/submit/
Instagram: @thesidelineperspective
Connect with Mac: mac@thesidelineperspective.com