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#damworthit

May 21, 2018Mike SisselBlog

I recently had the great pleasure of talking with Nathan Braaten. A collegiate soccer player and the co-founder of the #DamWorthIt campaign at my alma mater, Oregon State University, Nathan is on a mission.  A mission to destigmatize mental illness and to provide mental health resources for student athletes throughout the country.  Click here to listen to his story.

As I highlighted in a previous blog, the mental and emotional needs of athletes often take a backseat to a win first culture.  As fans, we’re duped into believing that college athletes are living the dream.  While their social media profiles may be full of smiles and swag, the private person behind the public profile is often struggling with internal angst.  Sadly, pride often prevents them from exposing this struggle.

Perhaps the most well-known of the aforementioned private struggles are depression and anxiety.  Unlike other mental illnesses, these two can easily be suppressed, making it difficult for others to recognize anything abnormal.  Because athletes are often in the public eye, it makes sense that they’d do anything possible to avoid being found out.

As someone who works with athletes in an effort to destigmatize mental health, I want to let you in on a little secret.  I too have dealt with seasons of depression and anxiety.

In an effort to bring awareness to this often misunderstood mental illness, I’d like to share 7 common myths of depression.  Whether you’re an athlete or not, I hope these speak to you.

Myth #1:  If you’re depressed, something must be wrong with you. 

Let me be clear.  There’s nothing inherently wrong with you. You didn’t get a bad brain or were dealt a bad hand. There are countless reasons why depression occurs. Some are situational (e.g. broken relationship) and some are a result of unhealed emotional traumas from the past.

Myth #2:  If you’re depressed, you just need to suck it up and deal with it. 

The world will tell you to suck it up and to deal with it. After all, if you’re mentally tough, you should be able to will your way to the other side.  Sadly, most people who prescribe to this belief have never experienced the emotional roller coaster that is depression. In fact, sucking it up only exacerbates the problem. It’s a short-term fix to a longer-term problem.  Mental toughness has nothing to do with sucking it up.  That’s called will power.  If you’re mentally tough, you’ll actually do the thing that’s perceived to be weak – look at your emotions.

Myth #3:  If you’re depressed, just think positive.

If this were the case, we’d all be able to think our way out of depression.  As you may know, depression includes quite a heavy dose of irrational thoughts and feelings. Asking “Why am I feeling this way?” or “When will this go away?” will actually fuel your desire to fix it. Depression isn’t something you fix with positive thinking. It’s something you heal, and healing requires a commitment to look in, not out.

Myth #4:  If you’re depressed, just get on medication and you’ll be fine.

Depression is not JUST a psychological problem that requires medication. Sure medication is warranted in various circumstances, but the healing process should be a holistic (whole person) approach. There’s a physical component (diet and exercise), a spiritual component (growing in faith), a mental component (managing thoughts), and an emotional component (managing emotions).

Myth #5:  If you’re depressed, you’ll likely be depressed for the rest of your life.

Believe it or not, depression and/or anxiety can actually happen for you. I can say with absolute certainty that the work I do today and the number of people I’ve been able to reach with my message of emotional intelligence and mental toughness is largely influenced by my seasons of depression. When someone says to me, “I’m struggling,” I can genuinely say, “I’ve been in your shoes.”

Myth #6:  Going to see a counselor is a sign of weakness.

You can only wear the tough guy, superhero mask for so long. Whatever is repressed will eventually get expressed. Whatever isn’t talked about will eventually be acted out. Contrary to what the world might tell you, going to a counselor is NOT a sign of weakness. It’s actually a sign of strength. A strength that requires vulnerability and authenticity. Two character traits that are often buried in favor of false pride and acting.

Myth #7:  Depression is just a part of who you are.

Depression is NOT who you are. You are a precious child of God and your identity should always rest in Him. For years, I wrestled with the notion that “I was depressed.” I used it as a means of sabotaging success. Today, I realize that while I’ve experienced seasons of depression, it will never define me. It will only refine me.

Remember, you are Dam Worth It.

 

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“Mike Sissel is an amazing man. With a positive force driving his ultimate vision to help the world be a better place, he reminds young and old what it means to be and do good by finding it in within. His practical steps are accessible to children and admired by adults. Whether he facilitates a retreat, in-service, assembly, or consults, positive and tangible results will be the outcome. I highly recommend him!”

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2018-05-23T09:48:39-07:00

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“Mike Sissel is an amazing man. With a positive force driving his ultimate vision to help the world be a better place, he reminds young and old what it means to be and do good by finding it in within. His practical steps are accessible to children and admired by adults. Whether he facilitates a retreat, in-service, assembly, or consults, positive and tangible results will be the outcome. I highly recommend him!”
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“Having been in the coaching profession for many years, I’ve gained the most satisfaction by having the opportunity to help shape the character of my players, ultimately preparing them for life beyond baseball. Mike Sissel is a masterful coach who shares a similar passion for the 'game of life'. His ability to connect with athletes is unmatched. If you have an opportunity for Mike to work with your team, it will truly be the 'gift' that will keep on giving. He has been a blessing to my family.”

Pat Murphy

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2018-05-23T09:46:00-07:00

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“Having been in the coaching profession for many years, I’ve gained the most satisfaction by having the opportunity to help shape the character of my players, ultimately preparing them for life beyond baseball. Mike Sissel is a masterful coach who shares a similar passion for the 'game of life'. His ability to connect with athletes is unmatched. If you have an opportunity for Mike to work with your team, it will truly be the 'gift' that will keep on giving. He has been a blessing to my family.”
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“Mr Sissel has been such an unbelievably positive presence both at Gold Medal Gymnastics and at our daughter's school, CEE. There is always enthusiasm and excitement when she knows that they will be having a session with him. The topics that he addresses are so important and he helps the kids see not only life's big picture, but also how individually they can make a real difference for themselves and those around them with their choices. We are thankful and look forward to more work with him in the future.”

 

Margo Ingram

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2017-09-14T15:04:38-07:00

Margo Ingram

“Mr Sissel has been such an unbelievably positive presence both at Gold Medal Gymnastics and at our daughter's school, CEE. There is always enthusiasm and excitement when she knows that they will be having a session with him. The topics that he addresses are so important and he helps the kids see not only life's big picture, but also how individually they can make a real difference for themselves and those around them with their choices. We are thankful and look forward to more work with him in the future.”  
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“Mike has an amazing ability to reach our children and to challenge their thinking. His positive outlook and desire to help every child be the best they can be is inspiring. My daughter comes home from her time with him with a smile on her face and new words of wisdom to share with me.  My 13 year old son watches his motivational videos and every time turns to me and says "He is so right. Everything he is saying is so true".  So thankful to have him in my children's lives.”

 

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2017-09-14T15:01:56-07:00

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“Mike has an amazing ability to reach our children and to challenge their thinking. His positive outlook and desire to help every child be the best they can be is inspiring. My daughter comes home from her time with him with a smile on her face and new words of wisdom to share with me.  My 13 year old son watches his motivational videos and every time turns to me and says "He is so right. Everything he is saying is so true".  So thankful to have him in my children's lives.”  
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“Our school mission has always been to educate the 'whole child', including their social and emotional development. Mike’s contribution to this mission, through the delivery of his meaningful, engaging lessons, has made a lasting impact on our school culture. In addition to the rich content he shares with our students, the energy he brings to each classroom is contagious. He has been an inspiration to our staff and students and truly lives the leadership principles he teaches.”
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“The power of positivity is infectious and Mr. Sissel has a real gift of helping others believe that they have the mental strength within themselves to get past whatever they might be struggling with. We were introduced to Mike through Gold Medal Gymnastics and seeing the impact he has made on the lives of so many including our daughter is astounding. He helped her to overcome the feelings of insecurity, feeling bullied and showed her how to focus and 'change her lens' so that she could perform successfully.”

 

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2017-09-14T15:02:28-07:00

Fred Sanchez

“The power of positivity is infectious and Mr. Sissel has a real gift of helping others believe that they have the mental strength within themselves to get past whatever they might be struggling with. We were introduced to Mike through Gold Medal Gymnastics and seeing the impact he has made on the lives of so many including our daughter is astounding. He helped her to overcome the feelings of insecurity, feeling bullied and showed her how to focus and 'change her lens' so that she could perform successfully.”  
https://kaleidoeye.com/testimonials/fred-sanchez/
“Mr. Sissel has been an incredible positive influence for my kids! Every time he goes to their school they look forward to learning something new from him! I have a teen and preteen and they have had him for the last several years and have quoted his lessons to us at home. Mr. Sissel has a special gift of teaching ALL ages with passion and dedication and truly knows how to connect with his audience, which makes it fun. I have also recommended him as one on one coaching for my dear friend’s son after she went through a divorce and her son was acting out and his insight truly helped her.”

Judy Salinas

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2017-09-14T14:39:25-07:00

Judy Salinas

“Mr. Sissel has been an incredible positive influence for my kids! Every time he goes to their school they look forward to learning something new from him! I have a teen and preteen and they have had him for the last several years and have quoted his lessons to us at home. Mr. Sissel has a special gift of teaching ALL ages with passion and dedication and truly knows how to connect with his audience, which makes it fun. I have also recommended him as one on one coaching for my dear friend’s son after she went through a divorce and her son was acting out and his insight truly helped her.”
https://kaleidoeye.com/testimonials/3596/
“Wow! What an amazing person! We are so fortunate to have Mike Sissel in our lives. Having two daughters that compete, I cannot thank him enough for all of valuable lessons learned. He empowers my girls with tools and strategies to become not only better athletes but better people. He helps them to build strong character traits that will benefit them long after their time in completion has come to an end. He's had a positive influence on the mindset of our entire family and for that we are truly blessed.”

Kim Roberts-Johson

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2017-09-14T15:05:04-07:00

Kim Roberts-Johson

“Wow! What an amazing person! We are so fortunate to have Mike Sissel in our lives. Having two daughters that compete, I cannot thank him enough for all of valuable lessons learned. He empowers my girls with tools and strategies to become not only better athletes but better people. He helps them to build strong character traits that will benefit them long after their time in completion has come to an end. He's had a positive influence on the mindset of our entire family and for that we are truly blessed.”
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"At Nike, I like to say ‘You Own Your Career’, Mike presented to my team and provided them with strategies & tools that inspired them to take ownership of their actions, performance, and careers. It was Motivational Coaching that impacted all attendees – regardless of their roles. All team members learned what behaviors make good leaders, and that all of us can be a leader. Mike was an energetic, passionate and effective presenter. I look forward to seeing my team practicing and implementing these skills into their Personal & Professional Developmental Plans.”

Jeff DuMont

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2018-05-23T09:41:45-07:00

Jeff DuMont

"At Nike, I like to say ‘You Own Your Career’, Mike presented to my team and provided them with strategies & tools that inspired them to take ownership of their actions, performance, and careers. It was Motivational Coaching that impacted all attendees – regardless of their roles. All team members learned what behaviors make good leaders, and that all of us can be a leader. Mike was an energetic, passionate and effective presenter. I look forward to seeing my team practicing and implementing these skills into their Personal & Professional Developmental Plans.”
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