294: Chris Hubbard on NFL Pressures, Personal Loss, and Mental Health Advocacy

37min | 08/05/2024

Description

How do you manage the weight of expectation and the emotional toll of personal loss while thriving in the high-stakes world of professional football? Join us Duane as he sits down with Chris Hubbard, a celebrated NFL player and a fervent mental health advocate. From his roots in Columbus, Georgia, to the peaks and valleys of his collegiate career at UAB, Chris sheds light on the trials of being a first-generation college student and the seismic impact of losing his grandfather at the tender age of 19. His candid recounting of emotional struggles, his mother’s unwavering support, and the transformative decision to seek therapy at 25 are truly inspiring, leading to the creation of his mental health initiative, the Overcoming Together Foundation.

Discover the intense pressures that come with NFL draft day and the valuable lessons Chris gleaned from illustrious teammates like Troy Polamalu and Ben Roethlisberger during his early years with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also delves into how losing touch with his core beliefs led to feelings of being lost and how therapy helped him confront deep-seated traumas, including the devastating loss of a friend to suicide.

Chris also emphasizes the power of expressing emotions openly, breaking the societal mold of stoicism, and surrounding oneself with positive influences. Through his foundation, Overcoming Together, Chris is committed to fostering community support, spreading mental health awareness, and providing safe spaces for open dialogue, demonstrating that vulnerability is a strength and mental health support is transformative.

In this episode, you will hear:

Mental health advocacy in sports
Navigating mental health struggles in sports
Embracing mental health through spirituality
Strength through mental health awareness

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

https://www.nfl.com/players/chris-hubbard/

NovusMindfulLife.com

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

About The Addicted Mind Podcast

"The Addicted Mind Podcast" offers hope, understanding, and guidance for those dealing with addiction, with real stories and research to inspire and show the journey to recovery is worth it. We're here to do more than just talk about addiction. We want to show you how to heal and recover. Our talks with experts and people who have beaten addiction give you important insights into how addiction affects the mind and how recovery can happen in many ways. Whether we're looking at new treatment ideas or sharing stories that inspire, "The Addicted Mind Podcast" is all about understanding the complex world of addiction recovery and showing that recovery is possible. If you or someone you care about is dealing with the challenges of addiction, let "The Addicted Mind Podcast" be your friend and guide. We aim to give you the knowledge you need, share stories that inspire you, and show you that the journey to recovery is worth it. Subscribe now to be part of a community focused on learning, healing, and changing for the better. Your journey to a healthier mind and life begins right here.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

About The Addicted Mind Podcast

"The Addicted Mind Podcast" offers hope, understanding, and guidance for those dealing with addiction, with real stories and research to inspire and show the journey to recovery is worth it. We're here to do more than just talk about addiction. We want to show you how to heal and recover. Our talks with experts and people who have beaten addiction give you important insights into how addiction affects the mind and how recovery can happen in many ways. Whether we're looking at new treatment ideas or sharing stories that inspire, "The Addicted Mind Podcast" is all about understanding the complex world of addiction recovery and showing that recovery is possible. If you or someone you care about is dealing with the challenges of addiction, let "The Addicted Mind Podcast" be your friend and guide. We aim to give you the knowledge you need, share stories that inspire you, and show you that the journey to recovery is worth it. Subscribe now to be part of a community focused on learning, healing, and changing for the better. Your journey to a healthier mind and life begins right here.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Description

How do you manage the weight of expectation and the emotional toll of personal loss while thriving in the high-stakes world of professional football? Join us Duane as he sits down with Chris Hubbard, a celebrated NFL player and a fervent mental health advocate. From his roots in Columbus, Georgia, to the peaks and valleys of his collegiate career at UAB, Chris sheds light on the trials of being a first-generation college student and the seismic impact of losing his grandfather at the tender age of 19. His candid recounting of emotional struggles, his mother’s unwavering support, and the transformative decision to seek therapy at 25 are truly inspiring, leading to the creation of his mental health initiative, the Overcoming Together Foundation.

Discover the intense pressures that come with NFL draft day and the valuable lessons Chris gleaned from illustrious teammates like Troy Polamalu and Ben Roethlisberger during his early years with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also delves into how losing touch with his core beliefs led to feelings of being lost and how therapy helped him confront deep-seated traumas, including the devastating loss of a friend to suicide.

Chris also emphasizes the power of expressing emotions openly, breaking the societal mold of stoicism, and surrounding oneself with positive influences. Through his foundation, Overcoming Together, Chris is committed to fostering community support, spreading mental health awareness, and providing safe spaces for open dialogue, demonstrating that vulnerability is a strength and mental health support is transformative.

In this episode, you will hear:

Mental health advocacy in sports
Navigating mental health struggles in sports
Embracing mental health through spirituality
Strength through mental health awareness

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

https://www.nfl.com/players/chris-hubbard/

NovusMindfulLife.com

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

About The Addicted Mind Podcast

"The Addicted Mind Podcast" offers hope, understanding, and guidance for those dealing with addiction, with real stories and research to inspire and show the journey to recovery is worth it. We're here to do more than just talk about addiction. We want to show you how to heal and recover. Our talks with experts and people who have beaten addiction give you important insights into how addiction affects the mind and how recovery can happen in many ways. Whether we're looking at new treatment ideas or sharing stories that inspire, "The Addicted Mind Podcast" is all about understanding the complex world of addiction recovery and showing that recovery is possible. If you or someone you care about is dealing with the challenges of addiction, let "The Addicted Mind Podcast" be your friend and guide. We aim to give you the knowledge you need, share stories that inspire you, and show you that the journey to recovery is worth it. Subscribe now to be part of a community focused on learning, healing, and changing for the better. Your journey to a healthier mind and life begins right here.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

About The Addicted Mind Podcast

"The Addicted Mind Podcast" offers hope, understanding, and guidance for those dealing with addiction, with real stories and research to inspire and show the journey to recovery is worth it. We're here to do more than just talk about addiction. We want to show you how to heal and recover. Our talks with experts and people who have beaten addiction give you important insights into how addiction affects the mind and how recovery can happen in many ways. Whether we're looking at new treatment ideas or sharing stories that inspire, "The Addicted Mind Podcast" is all about understanding the complex world of addiction recovery and showing that recovery is possible. If you or someone you care about is dealing with the challenges of addiction, let "The Addicted Mind Podcast" be your friend and guide. We aim to give you the knowledge you need, share stories that inspire you, and show you that the journey to recovery is worth it. Subscribe now to be part of a community focused on learning, healing, and changing for the better. Your journey to a healthier mind and life begins right here.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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