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Highlight reels inspire us with memorable plays and superhuman achievements. But behind the highlights are daily challenges — including mental health struggles that impact countless athletes. Athletes OnBalance is here to end the stigma and ignite the discussion of mental health and sports. Walt Norley — a former D1 quarterback and successful entrepreneur who has managed bipolar disorder for four decades — sits down with top athletes, coaches and experts to explore how to get through tough t ...
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Mark and Kym Hilinski: Turning Tragedy into Hope
1:02:31
1:02:31
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In this powerful episode of Athletes OnBalance, we explore the journey of Mark and Kym Hilinski, who turned their personal tragedy—the suicide of their son, Tyler—into a mission to prevent similar losses in the athletic community. Through their organization, Hilinski's Hope, they aim to reduce the stigma around mental health and promote awareness, …
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Chief Medical Officer of the NCAA, Dr. Brian Hainline, Discusses the Importance of Sleep, Mental Health, and Brain Health in Student Athletes
42:56
42:56
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In this episode of Athletes OnBalance, Dr. Brian Hainline, Chief Medical Officer of the NCAA, explores the connections between brain health, physical, and mental health in student-athletes. Dr. Hainline discusses his initiatives to lead the development of effective concussion management protocols, the link between sleep and mental health disorders,…
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Coach Mike Locksley on Personal Tragedy and Becoming a Mental Health Advocate
36:08
36:08
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Mike Locksley, head football coach at the University of Maryland, joins this episode of Athletes OnBalance. Coach Locksley has been coaching for more than 30 years, including eight seasons as a full-time head coach. His coaching resume includes positions at major programs like the University of Alabama, University of Florida, and University of Illi…
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Kaleigh Kurtz on Overcoming Abuse and Being Courageous
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45:58
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Kaleigh Kurtz, a defender for the North Carolina Courage of the National Women’s Soccer League, joins this episode of Athletes OnBalance. Kaleigh has been a member of two NWSL championship teams, both in 2018 and 2019 with the Courage. Last season, she was nominated for NWSL Defender of the Year and named to the league’s Best XI Second Team. Incred…
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Walt Norley on What Drives Him to Help Student Athletes
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37:01
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Walt Norley, OnBalance Founder and CEO, joins this episode of Athletes OnBalance as the guest with special host Dr. Ginger Gilmore, Director of Behavioral Medicine at the University of Alabama. Walt, a former student athlete who played quarterback at Ohio State University and the University of Georgia, is a tech entrepreneur with more than four dec…
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Julie Kliegman on Reporting About Mental Health in Sports
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33:38
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Julie Kliegman, copy chief at Sports Illustrated, joins this episode of Athletes OnBalance. Julie has been a leading voice in the sports media landscape whose coverage focuses on athletes and their mental health. Her work has appeared in multiple publications, including The Washington Post, The Ringer and BuzzFeed. In March 2024, her new book title…
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Dan Radakovich on Creating an Ecosystem of Support for Athletes
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38:46
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Dan Radakovich, Director of Athletics at the University of Miami — recognized as one of the most progressive and successful leaders in college athletics — joins this episode of Athletes OnBalance. Dan, who previously served as the Director of Athletics at Clemson and Georgia Tech, has had an incredible career building and advancing some of the lead…
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Dr. Katie O’Neal on Improving the Wellness of SEC Student Athletes
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45:58
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Dr. Katie O’Neal, Chief Medical Advisor for the Southeastern Conference (SEC), joins this episode of Athletes OnBalance. She holds several other positions, including Chief Medical Officer at a regional medical center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, associate professor at LSU and member of the SEC’s Medical Guidance Task Force. In this episode, Dr. O’Nea…
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Cailin Bracken on Her Mental Health Journey as a Student Athlete
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35:29
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Cailin Bracken, a lacrosse player at Vanderbilt University, joins Walt on this episode of Athletes OnBalance. Cailin, who plays attack for the Commodores, is entering her senior year. As a college freshman, she made the decision to step away to address her mental health. After eventually returning to campus and to the sport she loves, she wrote a p…
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Jimmy Johns on His Redemption Story and Journey Ahead
38:50
38:50
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Jimmy Johns, a former University of Alabama football player joins Walt on this episode of Athletes OnBalance. Jimmy, who was a star quarterback in high school in his home state of Mississippi, went on to play football at the University of Alabama. As a member of the Crimson Tide from 2005-07, he primarily played running back and later converted to …
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Coach Nick Saban on Advocating for Athletic Mental Health Care
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20:40
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On episode 2, Walt is joined by Nick Saban, Head Coach for the University of Alabama Football Team. Coach Saban has won seven national championships, which is the most in college football history. Of those seven titles, he has won six at Alabama since he took the helm there in 2007 and eight SEC championships. He has coached four Heisman Trophy win…
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Dr. Ginger Gilmore on the Mental Health Journey of Collegiate Athletes
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37:58
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On episode 1, Walt is joined by Dr. Ginger Gilmore, Director of Behavioral Medicine and Athletic Trainer at the University of Alabama. Dr. Gilmore has been with Alabama for nearly 30 years, including the last 16 with the school’s football team where she works closely with Head Coach Nick Saban to spearhead mental health efforts for the team. She’s …
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