It’s time we start normalizing mental health in sports. And this podcast episode featuring Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Lisa Bonta Sumii is one piece of content that attempts to do just that.
There are many conversations about mental health taking place in and around the world of sports. More is needed — so we will continue to take this topic on across all our content platforms, and we will feature leaders in this space, like Lisa. Speaking of Lisa—thank you to Lisa Bonta Sumii and to therapists all over for helping so many with mindfulness.
Lisa is a Mental Health and Sports Performance Specialist at the Oakland Roots SC and a private practice therapist to elite athletes in California and Nevada.
Mental health is just as important as physical health, and thankfully, it is fast becoming more normal to talk about it. It’s also becoming normal for college sports programs and professional sports organizations to partner with or employ therapists. Examples of this include Lisa’s work with the Oakland Roots SC of the USL Championship League and Millennium Hope Counseling’s partnership with the University of Illinois Chicago.
In this podcast episode of normalizing mental health, we have a wide-ranging dialogue covering people and topics, including Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, Sha’Carri Richardson, Paul George, shocking stressors, trash-talking, next play mindset, naming a feeling, anxiety, meditation, positive relationships, youth sports, and how trauma has no sense of time.
Regarding trauma, there are different kinds of trauma. It is not just physical or sexual abuse, verbal abuse, or neglect. It is broader. Our genetics, our upbringing, our environment, and how we react and respond to adversity – it all has to do with our ability to manage a particular situation. This and many other reasons are why the work of Lisa and others in the field of psychotherapy becomes so critical. Specifically related to sports, a dedicated psychotherapist can help an athlete show up and perform at their peak in the biggest moments.
Listen to this episode and learn more about improving your (or your child’s) performance, opening up about mental health, controlling your emotions, responding to injustice, and much more.
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Headlines: Normalizing Mental Health in Sports with Lisa Bonta Sumii
Gender differentiation in how athletes talk about trauma
How to start normalizing mental health in sports
Release techniques and tools
Confidentiality and trust
Mental health injury
Flow state
Event + Response = Outcome (podcast with Tim Kight)
PTSD and Trauma
The Power of Now (book by Eckhart Tolle)
Habits (Atomic Habits book by James Clear)
Youth sports should be fun
Are you an athlete or entrepreneur looking to create content? Learn More.
Useful web pages from this episode:
- SportsEpreneur
- Mindset Design | Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW
- KazCM Podcast Production
Related content:
- The Mental Health Crisis in Sports | SE Original Article
- Sports Psychology and Mental Training | Podcast Episode
- Oakland Roots SC
Let’s Connect:
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Eric Kasimov is the founder of SportsEpreneur, part of the KazSource media network. Since launching the platform in 2015, he has hosted over 500 podcast episodes, written and published more than 1,500 articles, and advised business leaders, founders, and creators on building authority through media strategy.
Through his brands — KazSource, KazCM, SportsEpreneur, and QuietLoud Studios — Eric leads teams that produce podcasts, develop brand platforms, and help companies grow through modern content ecosystems. He also scaled KazSource Insurance into a seven-figure boutique agency, providing the foundation for the broader media network he operates today.
His work has been featured in Forbes, Axios, and Front Office Sports, and his podcasts have included conversations with top founders, investors, and athletes turned entrepreneurs.