We understand the mental toughness it takes to be an athlete and the toll it can take behind the scenes. That’s why we sat down with two of our therapist-athletes, Becca Bargamian, LCSWA, and Alyssa Coon, LCMHCA, to talk about the unique ways sports shaped their identities, what they’ve learned from competition, and how they use those lessons to support clients today.
Q1: What sports did you grow up playing, and how did those experiences shape who you are today?
Becca:
I started as a gymnast but quickly found my home in cheerleading, which I did for 12 years. I also tried volleyball and track in middle school. Sports have taught me grit, discipline, and mental toughness but most importantly, they gave me a deep sense of community that I now strive to recreate in my personal and professional life.
Alyssa:
I dabbled in soccer and softball early on, but swimming stole my heart at age seven. The pool was my constant, and the structure of swim training helped me balance school and athletics, become a role model, and navigate my own thoughts. I even took on triathlons with my dad and uncle. Now that my competitive swim career is over, I’ve returned to running and biking to keep my competitive spark alive.
Q2: Was there a moment in your athletic journey that taught you a lesson you still carry into your work as a therapist?
Becca:
Winning and losing both taught me something invaluable. Like therapy, sports require persistence. Some days feel like victories, others like setbacks, but every experience holds growth. Learning to embrace both outcomes with humility and kindness was a major turning point for me.
Alyssa:
Burnout hit me hard during my swim career, even though I loved the sport deeply. It was terrifying to no longer feel excited about something I devoted so much to. But I learned that rest isn’t quitting, it’s necessary. That perspective helps me guide clients through periods of doubt, burnout, and rediscovery.
Q3: How does being a former athlete influence the way you support clients, especially student-athletes, in therapy?
Becca:
Having been an athlete myself allows me to connect with clients from a place of lived experience. I can genuinely say, “I’ve been there,” which builds trust and helps them feel seen. It creates a space for honest conversations around identity, pressure, and performance.
Alyssa:
As an athlete, I understood the immense pressure, whether self-imposed or external. Goals, expectations, and performance metrics ruled my world. I now help student-athletes navigate those same stressors, providing tools to differentiate between healthy ambition and overwhelming anxiety.
Q4: What are some mental health challenges you see young athletes facing today that you wish more people understood?
Becca:
Many young athletes base their entire identity on their sport. Early specialization often leads to a fragile sense of self, so when they transition out of sports due to injury or life changes, they can feel lost and uncertain. We need to help them develop a sense of identity that’s broader than performance or titles.
Alyssa:
In addition to “athlete identity,” I often see unhealthy relationships with food and body image. Athletes are praised for restrictive eating or losing weight, sometimes unknowingly by coaches or family. These messages can spiral into disordered eating, affecting both physical and mental health. And because it’s normalized in some sports cultures, it becomes dangerously hard to challenge.
Q5: What’s your favorite part about being on a team?
Becca:
It’s the shared passion and bond that made being on a team so special. I’ve made lifelong friends through sports and learned the value of collaboration and mutual support.
Alyssa:
The built-in support system. My teammates lifted me on my worst days and celebrated my best ones. Knowing someone had my back, and understood the sport just as deeply made all the difference.
Q6: If you could go back and talk to your younger self as an athlete, what would you say?
Becca:
The work is worth it. You’re going to be pushed beyond what you thought possible, but you’ll also discover incredible joy. Keep going, you’ll be proud you did.
Alyssa:
Don’t tie your worth to your sport. Swimming is something you do, not who you are. Lean into your unique strengths, (for me that was creativity and humor) and everything that makes you you. The pool isn’t everything, even if it feels like it now.
Final Thoughts
Athletes are known for their strength, but they also carry a mental load that’s often invisible. We are here to walk alongside student-athletes, helping them unpack their experiences, discover who they are beyond the game, and build the tools to thrive both on and off the field. Learn more here.