Early Sports Specialization: The Hidden Mental Health Risks | Chicago Sports Institute Coach Alex Sutrinaitis

Understanding Trauma and Polyvagal Theory | Rebecca Kase, MSW, LCSW, RYT

In this Coats in Conversation Podcast episode, mental health therapist, ⁠⁠Kendrique Coats, MS, ALMFT⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendrique-coats-bb6b2876] interviews Trauma Expert and Founder of Trauma Therapist Institute [https://www.traumatherapistinstitute.com/], Rebecca Kase [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-kase], MSW, LCSW, RYT. In this episode, Rebecca [https://www.vnsociety.org/provider/rebecca-kase-lcsw/]breaks down trauma in a way that’s clear, grounded, and understandable. We talk about the two parts of trauma, how trauma responses actually work, and what happens in the nervous system after someone experiences stress or overwhelm. Rebecca highlights that not all trauma looks the same and explains the differences between Big T versus Little T trauma. Rebecca then shares her perspective on Polyvagal Theory and some of the current misconceptions. This conversation also challenges the idea that trauma is just “in the past.” Trauma lives in the nervous system and the body, and you can’t heal it by talking alone. We touch on what this means in therapy, why people often feel stuck, and how practices like movement and journaling can support regulation. Finally, we zoom out to the bigger picture, how chronic stress and collective trauma impact not just individuals, but entire communities. When people are constantly in fear or survival mode, it changes how we connect, care, and show up for each other. If you’re interested in trauma, nervous system regulation, and Polyvagal Theory, this episode gives you a deeper, more practical understanding of what’s really going on beneath the surface. Check out previous episodes: Mental Health In the Black Community| The Black Men's Perspective: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/640miQDFD5qHMI0Hqo0HBy?si=vNQ5uJPxRsWzmStJURZjxA [applewebdata://7CC9EB65-20F4-4F4A-A587-BF6155A6C969/%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0https://open.spotify.com/episode/640miQDFD5qHMI0Hqo0HBy?si=vNQ5uJPxRsWzmStJURZjxA] Women in College Sports and Athlete Mental Health |Fionna Hatton, Worcester State University Hockey https://open.spotify.com/episode/7ci21vYhFKfAd4tD8vLHf1?si=tcPUf-aUS1m1auYhM4pRoQ [https://open.spotify.com/episode/7ci21vYhFKfAd4tD8vLHf1?si=tcPUf-aUS1m1auYhM4pRoQ] An athlete's battle with cancer and mental health | ⁠⁠Gabby Orlet, Grand Valley State Volleyball ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/0hnZ...⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/episode/0hnZ...%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0] About ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kendrique Coats [https://lifestance.com/provider/therapist/il/bloomington/kendrique-coats/]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Associate based in Bloomington, Illinois working with couples and athletes in Illinois. Kendrique is also the ⁠⁠⁠⁠athlete mental health advisor for the⁠ Illinois High School Association⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Coats in Conversation Podcast features authentic, powerful conversations with athletes, coaches, experts, and mental health professionals who share their personal journeys of struggle, resilience, and growth. Intro Music: 1080 Pale- Fool me Twice *I do not own the rights to music. The music is free and is not being used for profit.*  Disclaimer: This podcast (Coats in Conversation) is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional mental health services. Kendrique Coats, Coats in Conversation, or any guest featured in this podcast, is not liable for any changes you make to your mental health plan without consulting a trained professional. If you require mental health support, please contact a licensed mental health professional. In case of an emergency, please call your local emergency services.

More Than an Athlete | Tuskegee University Head Baseball Coach, Chad Hall

Athletes are expected to perform, on the field, in the classroom, and in life, but we don’t talk enough about what that pressure actually does to their mental health. In this episode, I discuss with Tuskegee Universitys' Head Baseball Coach ,Chad Hall about the reality of balancing performance and well-being, what it really takes to build a culture where athletes feel safe to speak up, and the signs coaches can’t afford to miss. We also get honest about identity, who you are beyond the sport, and what support coaches wish they had to show up better for their athletes. If you’ve ever felt the weight of expectations or struggled to separate who you are from what you do, this conversation is for you. Check out previous episodes: The Pain They Don't See: Injury, Grief, and Identity: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/0tGc...⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0p0Yk1NUzRBYlB1d1A5LW5WOWRwSWdKUThPQXxBQ3Jtc0treWdoekVlTjBWb2RNWThIQVByTnNCNzdHWFRuRldrZ0ZzSlpGYUJjQkR4ZlM4T1NXeXNpMTJUV3FLZkUzNVVJWVNxM2NVUzFwN0dsbFRoc2NhTWRPVXlZSHNpb1FLcWItQjBZRmVqak9HQVFFZ1BHSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.spotify.com%2Fepisode%2F0tGcWubkj5fFQ7NQV6b9DN%3Fsi%3DN9oo7xuUT8qILxUvY9Tgmw%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0&v=YNNZL6Cryb8] Life After The Game: Mental Health & Identity in Sports | ⁠Josh Kauten ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/51Qq...⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1liUDUtQzJobkh1aFdjUmVpSnBEeVk1NTFQd3xBQ3Jtc0trT1N4WTZxdWZHQ25INFZCcUVOVXA2dFdOck1LdVlCeEUzbGx3bTA4ZFRfVVFzN0FOdndXQzQxajZiemdKUFRhWkRqOUFfWUFudTVBX0ZHdTlUVTdMY2w0ZnNJeG5Yb0swZkNVT2w4eEpxUmxySlMtZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.spotify.com%2Fepisode%2F51Qq9bNqllDuXBcmGz2v8H%3Fsi%3Dc2qEHR4nSpS37Refc3o0EQ%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0&v=YNNZL6Cryb8] An athlete's battle with cancer and mental health | ⁠⁠Gabby Orlet⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/0hnZ...⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbnlsMW9DYkJheVR4ODV2bm1uRDhYWEduR3Y5UXxBQ3Jtc0tuV09Ma25SM2R2SUlfX0ozNWUxVVNQYzNpbEVvZWVLV2s2eUwxUENxNDdxRUR4VU9YR2lKWTBJRzhOeTVkUk9DZGVGck5zUDM5cnpiQXJ2ZjE0OUpKNzlNckx0U2JqU1JldWZwTVQ1YTZDZzlpTGFuaw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.spotify.com%2Fepisode%2F0hnZjoaauAesysXyxvIBui%3Fsi%3DCNPiPUsHSPSQ3bI_MoafDQ%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0&v=YNNZL6Cryb8] About ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kendrique Coats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://lifestance.com/provider/therapist/il/bloomington/kendrique-coats/]: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Associate based in Bloomington, Illinois working with couples and athletes in Illinois. Kendrique is also the ⁠⁠⁠athlete mental health advisor for the⁠ Illinois High School Association⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.ihsa.org/health-safety/committee]. Coats in Conversation Podcast features authentic, powerful conversations with athletes, coaches, experts, and mental health professionals who share their personal journeys of struggle, resilience, and growth.  Disclaimer: This podcast (Coats in Conversation) is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional mental health services. Kendrique Coats, Coats in Conversation, or any guest featured in this podcast, is not liable for any changes you make to your mental health plan without consulting a trained professional. If you require mental health support, please contact a licensed mental health professional. In case of an emergency, please call your local emergency services.

Sports Related Concussions, CTE, and Mental Health | Former Team USA Bobsled Athlete, William Person

In this Coats in Conversation Podcast episode, mental health therapist, ⁠Kendrique Coats⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendrique-coats-bb6b2876] interview William Person [https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/29/sports/bobsled-brain-injuries-lawsuit.html], who is a former Team U.S.A Bobsled Athlete. Sports related concussions and CTE [https://concussionandcte.org/cte-resources/what-is-cte/] have become a growing concern in athletics, but we still don’t hear enough from the athletes living with the impact. In this episode, we talk about the reality of concussions, CTE, and how brain injuries can affect an athlete’s mental health and performance long after competition ends. William shares his journey from chasing Olympic dreams as a kid to navigating the challenges that came ofter many years of brain injuries during competition. We also discuss the mental toll of head injuries, the racial dynamics he experienced while competing, and what justice and accountability could look like for athletes moving forward, specifically with his pending lawsuit against the USA Bobsled Federation. [https://unicourt.com/case/ca-la23-william-person-vs-usa-bobsledskeleton-inc-747353] This conversation shed light on the hidden side of sports that many people don’t see, and why athlete mental health needs to be part of the sports conversation. Check out previous episodes: The Pain They Don't See: Injury, Grief, and Identity: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/0tGc...⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0p0Yk1NUzRBYlB1d1A5LW5WOWRwSWdKUThPQXxBQ3Jtc0treWdoekVlTjBWb2RNWThIQVByTnNCNzdHWFRuRldrZ0ZzSlpGYUJjQkR4ZlM4T1NXeXNpMTJUV3FLZkUzNVVJWVNxM2NVUzFwN0dsbFRoc2NhTWRPVXlZSHNpb1FLcWItQjBZRmVqak9HQVFFZ1BHSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.spotify.com%2Fepisode%2F0tGcWubkj5fFQ7NQV6b9DN%3Fsi%3DN9oo7xuUT8qILxUvY9Tgmw%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0&v=YNNZL6Cryb8] Life After The Game: Mental Health & Identity in Sports | ⁠Josh Kauten ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/51Qq...⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1liUDUtQzJobkh1aFdjUmVpSnBEeVk1NTFQd3xBQ3Jtc0trT1N4WTZxdWZHQ25INFZCcUVOVXA2dFdOck1LdVlCeEUzbGx3bTA4ZFRfVVFzN0FOdndXQzQxajZiemdKUFRhWkRqOUFfWUFudTVBX0ZHdTlUVTdMY2w0ZnNJeG5Yb0swZkNVT2w4eEpxUmxySlMtZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.spotify.com%2Fepisode%2F51Qq9bNqllDuXBcmGz2v8H%3Fsi%3Dc2qEHR4nSpS37Refc3o0EQ%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0&v=YNNZL6Cryb8] An athlete's battle with cancer and mental health | ⁠⁠Gabby Orlet⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/0hnZ...⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbnlsMW9DYkJheVR4ODV2bm1uRDhYWEduR3Y5UXxBQ3Jtc0tuV09Ma25SM2R2SUlfX0ozNWUxVVNQYzNpbEVvZWVLV2s2eUwxUENxNDdxRUR4VU9YR2lKWTBJRzhOeTVkUk9DZGVGck5zUDM5cnpiQXJ2ZjE0OUpKNzlNckx0U2JqU1JldWZwTVQ1YTZDZzlpTGFuaw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.spotify.com%2Fepisode%2F0hnZjoaauAesysXyxvIBui%3Fsi%3DCNPiPUsHSPSQ3bI_MoafDQ%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0&v=YNNZL6Cryb8] About ⁠⁠⁠⁠Kendrique Coats⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://lifestance.com/provider/therapist/il/bloomington/kendrique-coats/]: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Associate based in Bloomington, Illinois working with couples and athletes in Illinois. Kendrique is also the ⁠⁠athlete mental health advisor for the⁠ Illinois High School Association⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.ihsa.org/health-safety/committee]. Coats in Conversation Podcast features authentic, powerful conversations with athletes, coaches, experts, and mental health professionals who share their personal journeys of struggle, resilience, and growth.  Disclaimer: This podcast (Coats in Conversation) is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional mental health services. Kendrique Coats, Coats in Conversation, or any guest featured in this podcast, is not liable for any changes you make to your mental health plan without consulting a trained professional. If you require mental health support, please contact a licensed mental health professional. In case of an emergency, please call your local emergency services.

Early Sports Specialization: The Hidden Mental Health Risks | Chicago Sports Institute Coach Alex Sutrinaitis

In this Coats in Conversation Podcast episode, mental health therapist, Kendrique Coats [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendrique-coats-bb6b2876] interview Alex Sutrinaitis, who is a Chicago Sports Institute [http://chicagosportsinstitute.com] Performance Coach. We discuss early sports specialization, athlete mental health, and the real impact year-round training can have on young athletes. We talk about the biggest misconceptions around specializing early, the emotional and mental health challenges athletes face, and what we've seen firsthand working with athletes dealing with burnout, pressure, performance anxiety, and overuse injuries. We also break down the role parents play, how expectations can affect development, and what parents, coaches, and athletes need to understand about long-term athlete development. If you care about youth sports, mental health in athletics, and helping athletes thrive both mentally and physically, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Check out previous episodes: The Pain They Don't See: Injury, Grief, and Identity: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/0tGc...⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0p0Yk1NUzRBYlB1d1A5LW5WOWRwSWdKUThPQXxBQ3Jtc0treWdoekVlTjBWb2RNWThIQVByTnNCNzdHWFRuRldrZ0ZzSlpGYUJjQkR4ZlM4T1NXeXNpMTJUV3FLZkUzNVVJWVNxM2NVUzFwN0dsbFRoc2NhTWRPVXlZSHNpb1FLcWItQjBZRmVqak9HQVFFZ1BHSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.spotify.com%2Fepisode%2F0tGcWubkj5fFQ7NQV6b9DN%3Fsi%3DN9oo7xuUT8qILxUvY9Tgmw%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0&v=YNNZL6Cryb8] Life After The Game: Mental Health & Identity in Sports | ⁠Josh Kauten ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/51Qq...⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1liUDUtQzJobkh1aFdjUmVpSnBEeVk1NTFQd3xBQ3Jtc0trT1N4WTZxdWZHQ25INFZCcUVOVXA2dFdOck1LdVlCeEUzbGx3bTA4ZFRfVVFzN0FOdndXQzQxajZiemdKUFRhWkRqOUFfWUFudTVBX0ZHdTlUVTdMY2w0ZnNJeG5Yb0swZkNVT2w4eEpxUmxySlMtZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.spotify.com%2Fepisode%2F51Qq9bNqllDuXBcmGz2v8H%3Fsi%3Dc2qEHR4nSpS37Refc3o0EQ%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0&v=YNNZL6Cryb8] An athlete's battle with cancer and mental health | ⁠⁠Gabby Orlet⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/0hnZ...⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbnlsMW9DYkJheVR4ODV2bm1uRDhYWEduR3Y5UXxBQ3Jtc0tuV09Ma25SM2R2SUlfX0ozNWUxVVNQYzNpbEVvZWVLV2s2eUwxUENxNDdxRUR4VU9YR2lKWTBJRzhOeTVkUk9DZGVGck5zUDM5cnpiQXJ2ZjE0OUpKNzlNckx0U2JqU1JldWZwTVQ1YTZDZzlpTGFuaw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.spotify.com%2Fepisode%2F0hnZjoaauAesysXyxvIBui%3Fsi%3DCNPiPUsHSPSQ3bI_MoafDQ%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0&v=YNNZL6Cryb8] About ⁠⁠⁠Kendrique Coats⁠⁠⁠ [https://lifestance.com/provider/therapist/il/bloomington/kendrique-coats/]: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Associate based in Bloomington, Illinois working with couples and athletes in Illinois. Kendrique is also the ⁠athlete mental health advisor for the⁠ Illinois High School Association⁠⁠ [https://www.ihsa.org/health-safety/committee]. Coats in Conversation Podcast features authentic, powerful conversations with athletes, coaches, experts, and mental health professionals who share their personal journeys of struggle, resilience, and growth.  Disclaimer: This podcast (Coats in Conversation) is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional mental health services. Kendrique Coats, Coats in Conversation, or any guest featured in this podcast, is not liable for any changes you make to your mental health plan without consulting a trained professional. If you require mental health support, please contact a licensed mental health professional. In case of an emergency, please call your local emergency services.

Athlete Mental Health, Identity, and Growth | Lauren Huber, Notre Dame Track and Field

In this Coats in Conversation Podcast episode, Host Kendrique Coats speaks with former Illinois Wesleyan University [https://www.iwusports.com/news/2025/6/30/womens-basketball-huber-selected-as-cciws-woman-of-the-year.aspx]standout athlete, now University of Notre Dame track and field athlete [https://fightingirish.com/sports/track/], Lauren Huber [https://fightingirish.com/sports/track/roster/season/2526/player/lauren-huber/?_gl=1*1a7droa*_up*MQ..*_ga*NzEzNTE1NTc0LjE3NjkzNTU2NzE.*_ga_KQPHWRG336*czE3NjkzNTU2NzAkbzEkZzAkdDE3NjkzNTU2NzAkajYwJGwwJGgw]. We talk about the realities of being a college athlete, from playing through injuries and feeling the pressure to lead, to navigating mental health that isn’t always visible. Lauren reflects on her time at Illinois Wesleyan, the transition from Division 3 to Division 1 at Notre Dame, and how leadership, competitiveness, and self-worth have evolved along the way. This conversation highlights why mental health matters in college sports and why strong athletes still need support. Be sure to like and subscribe to Coats in Conversation to catch more episodes like this! Check out previous episodes: The Pain They Don't See: Injury, Grief, and Identity: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/0tGc... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0p0Yk1NUzRBYlB1d1A5LW5WOWRwSWdKUThPQXxBQ3Jtc0treWdoekVlTjBWb2RNWThIQVByTnNCNzdHWFRuRldrZ0ZzSlpGYUJjQkR4ZlM4T1NXeXNpMTJUV3FLZkUzNVVJWVNxM2NVUzFwN0dsbFRoc2NhTWRPVXlZSHNpb1FLcWItQjBZRmVqak9HQVFFZ1BHSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.spotify.com%2Fepisode%2F0tGcWubkj5fFQ7NQV6b9DN%3Fsi%3DN9oo7xuUT8qILxUvY9Tgmw%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0&v=YNNZL6Cryb8] Life After The Game: Mental Health & Identity in Sports | ⁠Josh Kauten ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/51Qq... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1liUDUtQzJobkh1aFdjUmVpSnBEeVk1NTFQd3xBQ3Jtc0trT1N4WTZxdWZHQ25INFZCcUVOVXA2dFdOck1LdVlCeEUzbGx3bTA4ZFRfVVFzN0FOdndXQzQxajZiemdKUFRhWkRqOUFfWUFudTVBX0ZHdTlUVTdMY2w0ZnNJeG5Yb0swZkNVT2w4eEpxUmxySlMtZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.spotify.com%2Fepisode%2F51Qq9bNqllDuXBcmGz2v8H%3Fsi%3Dc2qEHR4nSpS37Refc3o0EQ%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0&v=YNNZL6Cryb8] An athlete's battle with cancer and mental health | ⁠⁠Gabby Orlet⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/episode/0hnZ... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbnlsMW9DYkJheVR4ODV2bm1uRDhYWEduR3Y5UXxBQ3Jtc0tuV09Ma25SM2R2SUlfX0ozNWUxVVNQYzNpbEVvZWVLV2s2eUwxUENxNDdxRUR4VU9YR2lKWTBJRzhOeTVkUk9DZGVGck5zUDM5cnpiQXJ2ZjE0OUpKNzlNckx0U2JqU1JldWZwTVQ1YTZDZzlpTGFuaw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.spotify.com%2Fepisode%2F0hnZjoaauAesysXyxvIBui%3Fsi%3DCNPiPUsHSPSQ3bI_MoafDQ%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0&v=YNNZL6Cryb8] About ⁠⁠Kendrique Coats⁠⁠ [https://lifestance.com/provider/therapist/il/bloomington/kendrique-coats/]: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Associate based in Bloomington, Illinois working with couples and athletes in Illinois. Kendrique is also the athlete mental health advisor for the⁠ Illinois High School Association⁠ [https://www.ihsa.org/health-safety/committee]. Coats in Conversation Podcast features authentic, powerful conversations with athletes, coaches, experts, and mental health professionals who share their personal journeys of struggle, resilience, and growth.  Disclaimer: This podcast (Coats in Conversation) is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional mental health services. Kendrique Coats, Coats in Conversation, or any guest featured in this podcast, is not liable for any changes you make to your mental health plan without consulting a trained professional. If you require mental health support, please contact a licensed mental health professional. In case of an emergency, please call your local emergency services.