Why High Sports Performance Can Lead to Poor Mental Health
Wed Jan 28 2026
High performance in sports doesn't necessarily translate into mental well-being, said Hania Taduran, a former Division I beach volleyball player and founder of the nonprofit Breaking Barriers, which aims to redefine the narrative about mental health in athletics.
During her college career at the University of the Pacific, especially during COVID isolation, she and her teammates experienced mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders and burnout. Fear of stigma, losing scholarships, or being seen as weak prevented many athletes from seeking help, said Taduran, who is 23.
Send ideas for podcast episodes to LisaEllenCohn1@gmail.com
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Visit our blog at YouthSportsPsychology.com
Learn about host Lisa Cohn at LisaECohn.com
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High performance in sports doesn't necessarily translate into mental well-being, said Hania Taduran, a former Division I beach volleyball player and founder of the nonprofit Breaking Barriers, which aims to redefine the narrative about mental health in athletics. During her college career at the University of the Pacific, especially during COVID isolation, she and her teammates experienced mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders and burnout. Fear of stigma, losing scholarships, or being seen as weak prevented many athletes from seeking help, said Taduran, who is 23. Send ideas for podcast episodes to LisaEllenCohn1@gmail.com Subscribe to and rate this podcast on Apple Podcasts Visit our blog at YouthSportsPsychology.com Learn about host Lisa Cohn at LisaECohn.com