Podcasts > The Women's Game > The Women's Game 03/07/24: With Bethany Balcer

The Women's Game 03/07/24: With Bethany Balcer

By Men In Blazers

In this episode of The Women's Game, soccer player Bethany Balcer opens up about the mental health challenges athletes face, including her own experience with anxiety during a game. She advocates for open discussions on mental health and redefining success in sports beyond traditional metrics.

The episode also delves into Balcer's unconventional path to professional soccer, bypassing the typical NCAA route. As an undrafted rookie with the Seattle Reign, she won Rookie of the Year, highlighting her unique journey. Additionally, Balcer shares her efforts in advocating for equal investment in women's sports and supporting the next generation of aspiring female athletes.

The Women's Game 03/07/24: With Bethany Balcer

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The Women's Game 03/07/24: With Bethany Balcer

1-Page Summary

Mental Health Challenges in Sports

Bethany Balcer, a soccer player, highlights the mental health challenges athletes face, including her own experience with anxiety during a game. Balcer advocates for open discussions about mental health and redefining success in sports beyond traditional metrics.

Panic Attack During Game

In 2020, Balcer had her first panic attack during an NWSL game. As she couldn't catch her breath, she had to exit. This made Balcer realize anxiety isn't discussed enough in sports, leading her to fear seeking help.

Working With Therapists

Balcer now works with a personal therapist to understand her anxiety and a sports psychologist for strategies to manage it. According to Balcer, anxiety doesn't prevent success - it's about learning to work with it through tools like journaling.

Redefining Success

Balcer studies counseling inspired by her journey. She stresses the importance of reframing mental health perspectives and not limiting success to just scoring goals, as challenges can be managed constructively.

Balcer's Unconventional Path

Balcer's road to pro soccer with Seattle Reign bypassed the typical NCAA route. Instead, she played at a small NAIA school, excelling with 129 goals before connecting with NWSL coaches.

Made Team as Undrafted Rookie

Remarkably, Balcer made an NWSL team as an undrafted rookie and won Rookie of the Year, highlighting her unique journey.

Advocating for Women's Sports

On social media, Balcer advocates for equal investment into women's sports. Drawing from her experience with scarcity of funds, she champions growth to enhance future opportunities.

Supporting Younger Generations

Balcer actively supports the next generation, like fundraising over $3,000 for her alma mater's program, paving the way for aspiring female athletes.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is a professional women's soccer league in the United States, established in 2012. It features teams from various cities across the country and operates a season from March to November, culminating in a playoff tournament and championship game. The league aims to provide a platform for female soccer players to compete at a high level and promote the growth of women's soccer in the United States.
  • The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) is a governing body that oversees college athletics in the United States. It categorizes schools into divisions based on factors like size and resources, with Division I being the highest level. Schools in Division I and Division II can offer athletic scholarships, while Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships.
  • The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is a college athletics association in North America that offers athletic scholarships to student-athletes. It consists of colleges and universities that compete in various sports at the collegiate level. The NAIA hosts national championships in different sports and provides opportunities for student-athletes to excel in their chosen disciplines. The association plays a significant role in supporting student-athletes' development and promoting competitive sports at the collegiate level.

Counterarguments

  • While Balcer's personal experience with anxiety is valuable, it's important to note that individual experiences with mental health can vary greatly among athletes, and what works for one person may not work for another.
  • The emphasis on open discussions about mental health is crucial, but it's also important to ensure that these discussions are accompanied by concrete actions and support systems within sports organizations.
  • Redefining success in sports to include mental health is a positive step, but there may be challenges in how this redefinition is accepted and implemented within the highly competitive nature of professional sports.
  • Balcer's advocacy for equal investment in women's sports is commendable, but it's important to recognize that achieving parity involves complex factors, including market demand and revenue generation, which may affect the pace and extent of change.
  • The support for younger generations and fundraising efforts are important, but they might not address systemic issues in sports funding and access, which require broader policy changes and institutional support.
  • Balcer's unconventional path to professional soccer is inspiring, but it's also important to acknowledge that not all athletes have the same opportunities or support networks to follow a non-traditional route successfully.

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The Women's Game 03/07/24: With Bethany Balcer

Mental health challenges in sports

Bethany Balcer, a professional soccer player, brings to the forefront the mental health challenges athletes face, emphasizing the importance of addressing anxiety and redefining success in sports.

Balcer experiences first panic attack during an NWSL game

During her second professional season in 2020, Bethany Balcer experienced a panic attack on the field which prevented her from catching her breath and continuing the game.

Balcer couldn't catch her breath and had to exit the game

Balcer had to ask to be taken off the field when she found herself unable to breathe during a National Women's Soccer League game, signaling to her that something was wrong.

She fell to the ground when she got to the sidelines

Once on the sidelines, Balcer collapsed, succumbing to a panic attack. The episode prompted confusion among onlookers and resulted in a flurry of concerned texts, to which Balcer responded by informing everyone of the incident.

Moment made her realize anxiety is not talked about enough in sports

This personal experience led Balcer to an important realization: that anxiety isn't discussed enough in the realm of sports. She was afraid due to the lack of dialogue and awareness around mental health issues in her industry.

Removing stigma around mental health issues

Balcer is actively working with a personal therapist and a sports psychologist to manage her anxiety and redefine personal success beyond traditional metrics like scoring goals.

Balcer works with therapist and sports psychologist

She works with a therapist to understand what she's experiencing and a sports psychologist to deal with soccer-specific issues. The psychologist gives her concrete strategies, which are of great help to her.

Anxiety doesn't have to prevent success - it's about learning to work with it

Journaling has become an essential tool for Balcer, who keeps records of her thoughts and experiences. Her sessions with her therapist have helped her acknowledge her mental state and its ...

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Mental health challenges in sports

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is a professional women's soccer league in the United States. It was established in 2012 and features teams from various cities across the country. The league runs from March to November, with a playoff tournament leading to the championship game. The NWSL aims to provide a platform for women's soccer at the highest level in the United States.
  • In the context of sports, the stigma surrounding mental health issues often stems from the traditional emphasis on physical toughness and performance. Athletes may feel pressure to appear strong and resilient, leading to reluctance in discussing their mental health struggles openly. This stigma can prevent athletes from seeking help or support for conditions like anxiety or depression, fearing judgment or concerns about how it may impact their careers. Overcoming this stigma involves promoting open conversations, education, and support systems to encourage athletes to prioritize their mental well-being alongside their physical health.
  • A sports psychologist is a specialized mental health professional who works with athletes to enhance their mental well-being and performance. They help athletes develop mental skills like focus, confidence, and resilience to optimize their athletic abilities. Sports psychologists provide strategies to manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges that may impact an athlete's performance. Their role is crucial in helping athletes navigate the psychological aspects of sports and achieve peak performance.
  • Journaling is a therapeutic practice that involves writing down thoughts, feelings, and experiences. It can help individuals manage anxiety by providing a way to express and process emotions, identify triggers, and track patterns in their mental health. By keeping a journal, individuals like Bethany Balcer can gain insight into their anxiety, develop coping strategies, and monitor their progress in managing their mental health over time. Regular journaling can serve as a tool for self-reflection, self-awareness, and a means to cultivate a greater understanding of one's emotions and thought processes.
  • Balcer's journey towards studying counseling was inspired by her personal experiences with mental health challenges, particularly anxiety. She recognized the importance o ...

Counterarguments

...

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The Women's Game 03/07/24: With Bethany Balcer

Balcer's unique path to pro soccer

Bethany Balser's journey to becoming a forward for Seattle Reign in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is far from typical, as it bypassed the NCAA route that many professional players take and instead wound through the NAIA system.

Played basketball and soccer at small NAIA college

Bethany Balser considered Spring Arbor University largely because it was a family-oriented choice; her sister attended the same school. This affinity for the familiar, along with a limiting knee injury during her critical sophomore year of high school, determined her path. As a result, her recruitment prospects to larger schools were likely affected, and her sights were set squarely on playing college soccer, not professionally.

Despite not actively pursuing a professional career from the outset, Balser's college tenure was remarkable. She experienced a championship victory during her freshman year alongside her sister, who was a senior.

Over the course of her college career, Balser excelled, scoring 129 goals in 98 games. This feat led to her recognition within the institution, culminating in her induction into the SAU Athletic Hall of Fame.

Tried out for NWSL team after connecting with coach

The exact steps she took after her time at Spring Arbor and how she connected with ...

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Balcer's unique path to pro soccer

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is the top professional women's soccer league in the United States. It features teams from various cities across the country and showcases some of the best female soccer players in the world. The league was established in 2012 and has grown in popularity and competitiveness since its inception. NWSL matches are widely followed by fans and provide a platform for players to compete at a high level and represent their clubs and national teams.
  • Trying out for a professional soccer team involves attending a session where players showcase their skills to coaches in the hopes of earning a spot on the team. Being an undrafted rookie means not being selected during the official draft process, which can make it more chal ...

Counterarguments

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The Women's Game 03/07/24: With Bethany Balcer

Growth of women's sports opportunities

Advocating for equal investment into women's sports on social media

Bethany Balcer, a renowned female athlete, is an active voice on social media on several issues, including the expansion of women's sports opportunities. Balcer is known for addressing and correcting misconceptions, educating people about the growth and potential excitement in women's sports, and championing mental health awareness. Despite encountering trolling and misogyny, Balcer persists in responding and fighting back against wrongful narratives, aiming to foster a more accurate appreciation for women's sports.

She draws on her experience at Spring Arbor, where there was a scarcity of funds, to highlight the importance of increased financial support. Balcer hopes that growth in professional leagues will have a trickle-down effect, subsequently enhancing conditions at lower levels as well.

Paving the way for younger generations

Balcer's actions off the field demonstrate her commitment to fostering the dev ...

Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary

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Growth of women's sports opportunities

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Women's sports often face challenges in securing financial support compared to men's sports. This disparity can be seen in lower investment in women's leagues, reduced sponsorship opportunities, and limited media coverage, all of which contribute to financial constraints for female athletes and teams. The lack of financial backing can impact training facilities, equipment quality, travel arrangements, and overall resources available to women in sports. Addressing these financial disparities is crucial for the growth and sustainability of women's sports at all levels.
  • Bethany Balcer's advocacy for increased financial support and visibility for women's sports aims to improve opportunities for female athletes at all levels. By using her platform to address misconceptions and champion me ...

Counterarguments

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