During my psychoanalytic training, one instructor offhandedly stated that psychoanalysts often were not the athletes in high school or college; we were the studious ones. I didn’t dare argue at the time, but that was not my experience.

Growing up in Madison, Wisconsin, I was a standout hockey player. The sport had an enormous impact on my life, and the lessons far outreached the athletic goals achieved. This blog post will explore the benefits and drawbacks of being an elite athlete and how to leverage the beneficial aspects of it as a parent, coach, or educator.

As a youth athlete, I witnessed all the joys of being a part of a team. I felt buoyed when I contributed to the team, and I felt good in cheering on my teammates. It also felt just as important when I consoled a player who made a mistake, and I benefitted from such kind words myself when I fell short.

Unfortunately, none of us is exempt from the........

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