NIL & Mental Health: The Real Cost of Winning / Jay Paterno

College sports used to be about the love of the game. Now the money, the betting, and the pressure are rewriting what it means to be a young athlete.Brigitte Cutshall sits down with author, coach, and commentator - Jay Paterno - for an eye-opening conversation on the shifting landscape of college athletics. From the financial pressures of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and rampant sports gambling to the mental health strains on young athletes, Jay breaks down why human connection and authentic leadership are more critical now than ever. He also discusses his novel "Blitzed" - which offers a candid, reality-based look at the hidden challenges facing modern coaches and players.3 Main Takeaways:(1) Money changes everything. NIL deals and sports betting have introduced pressures — from family expectations to online harassment — that didn't exist a few years ago, even trickling down to high schoolers.(2) "A want-to, not a have-to." The healthiest athletes are the ones playing because they love it — research shows kids just want their parents to say "I enjoyed watching you play," not critique their performance.(3) Human connection is the antidote. As technology isolates young people, mentors, coaches, and team communities play a critical role in keeping kids grounded and supported.Know a young athlete or sports parent navigating this new landscape? Share this episode with them, and find more from Jay Paterno at https://www.jayvpaterno.com/