S3 E3 | The Zen of Sport: Mental Health, Wellness, and Social Connections
Today’s conversation - “The Zen of Sport: Mental Health, Wellness, and Social Connections'' - will take us on a journey with athletes, followed by thought leaders, and culminating with an open question and answer forum with all of our guests; as we focus on an extremely relevant topic in today’s world. We will examine the role of sports in addressing, supporting and managing mental health challenges, emotional and physical well-being, and life transitions.
Introducing our new Moderator for the remainder of Season Three, Marcus Allen! Since 2013, Marcus has served as the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence (BBBSI), the first Black CEO in BBBSI history. With almost two decades of experience in the non-profit sector, Marcus seeks to transform the lives of youth and develop leaders in his community. In addition to his role at BBBSI, he serves on the board of directors for several organizations, including United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey and the Philadelphia Health Management Corporation. He was also appointed to the US Commission on Civil Rights in Pennsylvania and is a Senior Fellow for the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania. Marcus made his mark athletically playing basketball in college, professionally, and internationally and is a two-time inductee into the HBCU’s Paine College Sports Hall of Fame - in 2000 (individual inductee) and in 2014 (team inductee). At Paine, he studied computer science engineering before receiving a degree in psychology from Temple University. With his impressive background, philanthropic passions, and love of athletics, Marcus is the ideal moderator for the varied topics that will be covered during Season 3.
Yvana Hepburn-Bailey, a former olympic level track athlete, and Co-Author of The Flight of Your Life, The Power of Propulsion with her Husband Charles Bailey. Yvana currently serves as the Co-Ceo of Aspire Higher Enterprises, LLC; a self-help/life coaching organization aimed to help professional athletes transcend their image and elevate their platforms. With a strong focus on their clients internal reimagining of their mental health, Aspire Higher aims to help these athletes to elevate and maximize purpose, potential and platform. Welcome, Yvana.
Brian Jennings, played for the San Francisco 49ers for his entire NFL career - from 2000-2012 - serving as the teams starting long snapper and back-up Tight End, never missing a game during his entire professional career. He played his college ball at Arizona State University, before being drafted in the 7th round of the 2000 NFL draft. After a career in football which saw him sustain several concussions, he vowed to assist players such as himself with their recovery from the ailment, and partnered with the Concussion Care Center in his home state of Arizona, and he continues to be an advocate for concussion care and prevention for athletes! Welcome, Brian!
Matthew Lawrence. Matthew spent four years with the Baltimore Ravens from 2008 to 2011. His career was unfortunately cut short after he sustained a major concussion in 2011. He has since become an ordained minister, using the power of religion and gospel to help those around him understand that pain is temporary and that everyone is struggling somewhere. Additionally, through his charitable foundation - Lawrence International - he runs youth development programs, career readiness workshops, and flag football leagues. Thank you for being here, Matthew.
Samantha Schultz. A five-time USA Modern Pentathlon National Champion, Samantha competed as part of team USA in the 2021 Tokyo Game and - at the 2019 Pan American Games in Peru - won a gold medal in the Women’s Relay and a Silver Medal in the Women’s Individual event. A graduate of DeVry University, Samantha is a certified pilates instructor and a member of the United States Army, rising to the rank of Sergeant. Samantha prides herself on her own focus on her personal mental health and wellbeing, using that to help others find their inner peace.
Dr. Mark R. Allen is a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist who has been in practice since 2014. He has a passion for working with athletes of all ages, from children in recreational sports to older weekend warriors to those at the elite/professional level. Dr. Allen is a member of the International Society for Sports Psychiatry and completed its official sports certification program. In addition, Dr. Allen is currently participating in the International Olympic Committee’s Diploma Program for Mental Health in Elite Sport and recently co-authored a paper examining the long-term effects of concussive events on athletes.
Dr. Jody Thomas is the founder and CEO of The Meg Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to prevent and relieve pain. The Meg Foundation believes in creating mass access to the resources needed to not only prevent unnecessary suffering now, but set kids up for a lifetime of better health. Combining the power of medical science, technology, and design to prevent medical trauma. Jody also serves as an adjunct professor at Stanford University School of Medicine as well as a consultant to the Stanford Children’s Hospital. A licensed clinical Psychologist, Jody uses her passion for the power of medical science together with the technology we have today to reshape the world’s perspective on pain management in children.