Mental health, personal growth, and performance are more connected than we sometimes realize. Whether you're an athlete, a student, or a professional, the way you take care of yourself affects how you handle challenges, make decisions, and show up in different areas of your life. But taking care of yourself isn't just about pushing through. It's also about knowing when to ask for help, learning from setbacks, and recognizing what you can and cannot control.
In this video compilation, I share insights from conversations with different guests on Time Out with the Sports Doctor. We discuss the importance of mental health education, why early intervention matters, and how the right support system can help people navigate difficult seasons. We also talk about finding motivation, making the most of the opportunities in front of you, and learning to grow through failure instead of being defined by it.
You'll also get a closer look at Athlete Connect, a platform I'm developing to help athletes access resources in mental health, nutrition, recovery, and performance. My goal is to help athletes and the people who support them make better-informed decisions about their health and well-being.
“We can do a better job in the mental health space, kind of educating on the effects of being preventative in our approach rather than just being a treatment or crisis intervention.” - Brook Choulet, M.D.
Topics Covered:
00:00:00 – Introduction
00:00:26 – Year-end reflections and goal setting
00:02:49 – Understanding NAMI’s mission
00:04:34 – Mental health and mental toughness
00:06:49 – Learning through struggle and failure
00:08:11 – Finding motivation and staying focused
00:09:16 – Self-care, faith, and support systems
00:10:24 – When to seek mental health support
00:11:32 – Mental health and performance
00:12:38 – Focusing on what you can control
00:13:39 – Making the most of career opportunities
00:14:44 – Introducing Athlete Connect
00:15:30 – The four pillars of athlete wellness
00:17:00 – Stay tuned!
Key Takeaways:
“You do not have to wait until a certain date to change your life. You can do that today.” - Dr. Derrick Burgess
“It's very important to normalize mental health education or normalize mental health treatment.” - Dr. Derrick Burgess
“You have to find what motivates you. That motivation doesn't die, it may actually dim along the path, but it's always there.” - Dawn Brown
“It's also important for us to have that self-care, and so we have to make sure that we pour into ourselves too.” - Dawn Brown
“You need to kind of commune with others, because you can't do it alone, can't do this life alone.” - Dawn Brown
“Nobody knows you better than you. Trust your gut if you know that you're not feeling your best.” - Dr. Mina Ratkalkar
Connect with Dr. Derrick Burgess:
Website: https://www.drderrickthesportsdr.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drderrickthesportsdr/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TimeOut.SportsDr
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrick-burgess-72047b246/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.derrickburgess243
Email: thesportsdoctr@gmail.com
Other Links: https://www.hbcuendzone.org/about
Scrubs to Skylines: https://www.instagram.com/scrubstoskylines/
This episode of TimeOut with the SportsDr. is produced by Podcast VAs Philippines - the team that helps podcasters effectively launch and manage their podcasts, so we don't have to. Record, share, and repeat! Podcast VAs PH gives me back my time, so I can focus on the core functions of my business. Need expert help with your podcast? Go to www.podcastvasph.com.
