From Division I Athlete to Mental Health Therapist — Creating Geared Up | Ep. 45 Mia Zambarano

From Division I Athlete to Mental Health Therapist: Mia Zambarano's Mission to Transform Athletic Mental HealthThe intersection of high-level athletic performance and mental health is complex, often misunderstood, and frequently stigmatized. Mia Zambarano has made it her life's mission to change that reality by bridging the gap between athletic culture and mental health support through both personal experience and professional expertise.As an award-winning, licensed mental health therapist and former Division I college athlete, Mia uniquely understands the pressures, expectations, and challenges that high-achieving athletes face. Her personal experience in college athletics, combined with her professional work with athletes and coaches, revealed a critical problem: mental health services for athletes were primarily reactive, addressing crises rather than preventing them, and athletes consistently hesitated to seek help when they needed it most.This realization led Mia to create Geared Up, an innovative online mental health and performance training membership specifically designed for college athletes. Using evidence-based strategies and tools, Geared Up provides proactive support during times of change, transition, uncertainty, and insecurity — the moments when athletes are most vulnerable but least likely to seek traditional therapy.In this episode of The Standard Podcast™, Mia shares:How her Division I experience shaped her understanding of athlete mental health challengesThe biggest lies athletes are told about mental health and seeking helpWhy traditional reactive approaches fail the athletic communityEvidence-based strategies for managing pressure and optimizing performanceHow to create environments where athletes feel safe accessing mental health supportWhether you're an athlete struggling with pressure, a parent supporting your child's mental health, or a coach wanting to better support your athletes, Mia's insights provide practical guidance for transforming how we approach mental health in athletics.This isn't motivation. This is a movement.Connect with Mia: https://www.thementalperformanceexpert.com/Support the showCONNECT WITH US: 🌐 Website: blueprintbluechip.com 📸 Instagram: @blueprintbluechip 💼 LinkedIn: Erin Sarles 📧 Email: [email protected] RESOURCE: Join the 5-Day Reset™ — designed for athletes ready to build identity, discipline, and purpose beyond the game. 👉 blueprintbluechip.com/blueprintfoundationschallengeSUPPORT THE SHOW:Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyShare this episode with an athlete, parent, coach, or leaderFollow us on social media and join the conversationBOOK ERIN TO SPEAK: Looking for a speaker who challenges comfort and calls out truth? Erin is available for team workshops, parent seminars, and leadership events. 📩 [email protected] THE STANDARD PODCAST™: This isn't motivation. This is a movement. Hosted by Erin Sarles and Thomas Roe, co-founders of Blueprint to Bluechip™, The Standard Podcast™ calls out the lies culture sold athletes and raises a new standard in sports, leadership, and life. We bring raw, truth-packed 20-25 minute conversations about identity, discipline, and legacy that goes beyond the scoreboard.New episodes drop every Monday.Raise the bar. Rebuild the culture. Become the standard.