Mental Fitness: Athletic Success Beyond Substance Use, with Georgia Tech's Dr. Steedy Kontos

ABOUT THE EPISODE:Even before he became a teenager, it seemed to Dr. Steedy Kontos that he was good at anything he tried to do - especially sports.  He shined in football, baseball, basketball, wrestling and track, and recruiters were starting to take notice. It seemed he was well on his way to becoming a professional athlete.But Steedy had also begun experimenting with marijuana and alcohol at the age of 12. When he was caught skipping class in high school, his coach informed him that he would be required to attend extra summer conditioning on top of the school's disciplinary program. He refused, giving up his promising career, and redirected his energies to drugs, alcohol and partying.In the years since he began his own recovery, Steedy has obtained a doctorate in clinical psychology, served as a collegiate recovery program coordinator, and a staff therapist at Division 1 school Georgia Tech. For the first time on the Hopestream podcast, Steedy walks us through the specific challenges and needs of student athletes in recovery.  We'll discuss the role that parents sometimes play in the intense and unhealthy pressure on D1 athletes, imposter syndrome at elite schools, and the academic benefits of collegiate recovery programs.EPISODE RESOURCES:InTown Psychology, Atlanta, GAAssoc. Of Recovery In Higher Education (Collegiate Recovery)Georgia Tech Collegiate Recovery ProgramThis podcast is part of a nonprofit called Hopestream CommunityLearn about The Stream, our private online community for momsFind us on Instagram hereWatch the podcast on YouTube hereDownload a free e-book, Worried Sick: A Compassionate Guide For Parents When Your Teen or Young Adult Child Misuses Drugs and AlcoholHopestream Community is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and an Amazon Associate. We may make a small commission if you purchase from our links.