TACKLING STIGMA: A PODCAST MINISERIES
On Tackling Stigma, former professional athletes talk with behavioral health experts to share personal stories, victories, losses, and how they overcame mental health obstacles on and off the field for an unfiltered play-by-play you won’t want to miss.
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Week 1: Tackling Mental Health Stigma with Former NFL Player Marcus Smith II
Former professional football players Marcus Smith II and Anthony Fasano discuss mental health stigma, trauma, masculinity, vulnerability, and what it means to be mentally tough with licensed professional counselor Tami Romano. Marcus shares how a mental health crisis brought him to treatment and made him realize he had to prioritize his mental well-being with the same discipline and focus he once reserved for his physical health. They discuss the societal shifts around mental health and football and what we can all do to create more support and safety for future generations and anyone struggling.
Week 2: Tackling Vulnerability with Former NFL Player Jude Adjei-Barimah
Former professional football players Jude Adjei-Barimah and Anthony Fasano discuss masculinity, Black mental health, trauma, shame, and getting past the “do what you gotta do” mentality with licensed professional counselor Tami Romano. Jude shares what he thinks coaches and the football community can do to help players of every age develop emotional intelligence. They discuss the trust and strength required to be vulnerable in the locker room and beyond and the positives that Jude experienced during his football career.
Week 3: Tackling Life After Football with Former NFL Player Chris Borland
Former professional football players Chris Borland and Anthony Fasano discuss mental health, masculinity, concussions and CTE, and redefining personal values with licensed professional counselor Tami Romano. Chris shares his experience growing up in a football family and how a series of traumatic brain injuries led him to walk away from his professional career. They discuss the role of mindfulness and meditation in TBI recovery and mental health, overcoming imposter syndrome, and turning his experience into advocacy.
Week 4: Tackling Sports Injuries with a Former NFL Player
Former professional football players “Dusty” and Anthony Fasano discuss mental health stigma, vulnerability, resilience, authenticity, and what’s on the other side of health challenges with licensed professional counselor Tami Romano. Dusty shares how he went from struggling with a career-ending injury and all-consuming depression to using his athletic mindset to make progress in treatment and inspire others. They discuss what it means to be a person of strength, the mental health toolbox Dusty leans into when he’s struggling, and finding healing in community.
Week 5: Tackling Depression with Former NFL Player Soul Cole
Former professional football players Soul Cole and Marcus Smith II discuss depression, anxiety, and finding energetic balance with licensed professional counselor Tami Romano. Returning to APN Lodge for the first time in 3 years, Soul shares how major surgeries forced him to be vulnerable for the first time and what he did to find himself outside of aggression. They discuss what it means to shift the culture with intention, how they strive to normalize the heavy moments, and the role of spirituality and silence in healing. Soul closes the episode with a guided meditation and breathwork and shares some of his favorite grounding techniques.
Week 6: Tackling Anxiety with Former NFL Player Zac Stacy
Former professional football players Zac Stacy and Marcus Smith II discuss anxiety, suicidal ideation, and mental health in the Black community with licensed professional counselor Tami Romano. Zac recalls how his anxiety started in childhood and persisted through adulthood. He left the NFL to treat physical injuries and support his family, later attending treatment at APN for anxiety in anticipation of the birth of his son. After serving jail time for a domestic violence charge and struggling with suicidal ideation, Zac returned to APN to get to the root of his mental health issues. Now, on the other side of his darkest moments, Zac has found self-awareness, self-acceptance, and a second chance to show his son and the world how he found strength in vulnerability.
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