Athletes Facing Identity Crisis: From Being a Player to Soldier with Aida Bakhos

Athletes Facing Identity Crisis: From Being a Player to Soldier with Aida Bakhos

In this episode of Beyond The Game, former professional basketball player and U.S. Army veteran Aida Bakhos shares her extraordinary journey from Beirut to the United States in pursuit of basketball, purpose, and personal growth. After competing professionally and representing Lebanon on the international stage, Aida balanced the demanding worlds of elite athletics and eight years of military service in the U.S. Army — all while navigating identity, pressure, leadership, and life beyond the game. Aida opens up about the lack of mentorship she experienced throughout her journey, how discipline and faith became anchors during difficult moments, and why travel and cultural experiences helped shape her perspective on resilience and self-worth. She also reflects on coaching middle school athletes, the responsibility adults have in shaping young people, and why athletes must build an identity beyond sports before the game ends. Together, the conversation explores mental health, transition, leadership, and the importance of preparing athletes for life — not just competition. This episode is for athletes, coaches, veterans, and anyone navigating pressure, purpose, and personal reinvention beyond performance.

The Cost of Winning Young with Coach Steve Turner

Coach Steve Turner joins CLSI's Beyond the Game to discuss the growing mental health challenges facing athletes and the responsibility of coaches, parents, and schools to develop the whole person—not just the player. They cover NIL, transfer portal pressures, family dynamics, and why winning alone can’t replace guidance, balance, and long-term development. Turner emphasizes listening, relationship-building, allowing productive struggle, and seeking professional help when needed, offering a clear call for adults to prioritize care, resilience, and education so athletes thrive on and off the court.   00:00 Introducing Copious Life Sports Initiative 03:07 Coach Turner's accomplishments and philosophy 06:22 Early coaching experiences 12:14 Building lasting mentorship relationships 14:50 Balancing academics and athletics 18:25 Debating high school athlete compensation 21:02 Coaching beyond athletics 25:17 Athlete mental health challenges 27:11 Guiding young athletes' development 32:04 Coaches prioritizing health and stress management 35:37 Creating a safe space for athletes 38:24 Mental health pressure on athletes 41:27 Supporting young athletes' mental health 44:55 The importance of continuous learning 46:58 Advice for supporting student athletes 51:24 Discussing athlete mental health 54:08 Developing athletes beyond sports

When the Game Ends… Who Are You? with Stanley McClover

Welcome back to Beyond The Game, where we go past the stats and scores to get real about what happens when the cheering stops. In this episode, Philip Reynolds sits down with former NFL player Stanley McClover for a raw and revealing journey far beyond the football field. From his days growing up in Fort Lauderdale, an unlikely start in the school band, and a rapid rise to the NFL, Stanley McClover opens up about the crushing identity shifts, the reality of injuries, and the decade-long struggle with depression that followed an unexpected end to his sports career. But his story doesn’t stop there—from pouring into his younger brother’s success to finding renewed purpose as a father to a child with autism, Stanley McClover reveals how true strength is built off the field. Today, he’s the founder of the Hype for Life Foundation, a passionate advocate for autism awareness, and an inspiration for athletes redefining themselves beyond the game. If you’re an athlete facing transition, a parent, a coach, or anyone navigating life’s unexpected turns, this is a conversation about resilience, humility, and building a life that matters—on your terms.   00:00 Transitioning from NFL to Fatherhood 05:47 Getting drafted and NFL journey 13:57 Getting advice from Mom 17:08 Football kickoff injury incident 21:37 Realizing the need to take football seriously 30:01 Coping with a major injury 32:46 Stuck in the room overnight 39:06 Life after football transition 46:53 Discussing Importance of Communication 50:03 Honoring unsung father figures 57:54 Sharing personal growth stories 59:02 Recognizing lesser-known NFL players

Unlocking Athletes Potential with Johan Martinez-Khalilian

Welcome to another episode of Beyond The Game, where mental wellness competes. In this episode, Phillip sits down with Johan Martinez-Khalilian, an internationally recognized mental performance coach working with elite athletes across the MLB, NBA, and NHL. But Johan Martinez-Khalilian's story goes far beyond the pro locker room—it begins in Chicago, where growing up as a self-described “kid from the hood” taught him to read people and navigate worlds of struggle, identity, and hope. Throughout their conversation, Phillip and Johan Martinez-Khalilian explore what it really takes to close the “resilience gap”—the space between pushing through and breaking down that so many athletes experience. They dig into the pressures athletes face, the importance of identity outside performance, and how family, culture, and community shape both well-being and success. You’ll hear how a strong internal foundation, authentic leadership, and the power to reframe setbacks can define one's path, not just on the field, but in life. This episode is a journey beyond the scoreboard—into the stories, inner battles, and transformations that shape true performance and mental health. Whether you’re an athlete, parent, or coach, this conversation will challenge and inspire you to move beyond results and embrace the person underneath the jersey. 00:00 Growing up in Humboldt Park 10:15 Navigating mixed cultural identity 14:34 The resilience gap in athletes 20:49 Working on skills and growth 22:45 Encouraging others despite long odds 31:25 Creating personal growth through challenge 36:20 Mental health and performance discussion 42:13 Expanding value beyond playing 47:29 The thrill of peak performance 50:52 Steph Curry vs. Michael Jordan mindset 53:44 Finding balance in personal growth 01:02:14 Referring clients to therapists 01:08:27 The mental struggles of athletes 01:10:02 Closing the resilience gap

Breaking the Sports Stigma with Grant H. Paulsen

Welcome to a powerful new episode of Beyond The Game, where mental wellness competes and real stories reveal the pressures behind the performance. Joining Host Phillip, a licensed clinical social worker, is Grant H. Paulson, renowned DC sports journalist and co-host of the Grant and Danny Show, who opens up about his own journey as a child prodigy in sports media, the invisible weight of expectation, and his personal battle with anxiety. Together, they peel back the curtain on how mental health shows up not just for athletes, but for everyone in the high-pressure sports ecosystem—coaches, parents, and even those covering the game. You’ll hear honest reflections on medication, navigating public criticism, the stigma around mental health, and the importance of telling stories that humanize the people behind the jerseys. Whether you’re an athlete, parent, coach, or fan, this conversation will challenge you to see past the headlines and consider the person beyond the game. 00:00 "Grant Paulson: Sports & Humanity" 03:37 "Early Passion Meets Opportunity" 07:04 "From Radio Star to Grind" 12:17 "When Anxiety Took Over" 14:50 "Understanding Anxiety Through Experience" 18:31 "Respectful Criticism and Empathy" 23:18 "Importance of Mental Health in Sports" 27:00 "Inextricably Tied to Career" 30:18 "Empathy vs. Accountability Debate" 33:14 "Breaking Mental Health Stigma" 36:08 Growing Up with Mental Health Awareness 39:19 "Medication Is Not Weakness"