Matt Benson: Mental Health, Self-Worth, and Pressure for Student-Athletes

Описание: Glow For Hope: Sparking Conversation on Mental Health


Matt Benson: Mental Health, Self-Worth, and Pressure for Student-Athletes





When performance becomes identity, pressure builds — and silence can take a toll



Host: Kelly Poelker

Guest: Matt Benson

Category: Mental Health · Student-Athletes · Coaching & Parenting







Sports are often praised for building discipline, toughness, and resilience. And while that can be true, what often goes unspoken
is what happens when pressure, expectations, injury, and silence begin to outweigh the game itself.






In this episode, host Kelly Poelker sits down with Matt Benson, a former high school and collegiate football player
and former high school coach, to talk about the mental health challenges student-athletes face — especially when self-worth
becomes tied to performance, playing time, or identity as “the athlete.”






Matt shares his lived experience navigating grief after losing a close friend to suicide, struggling with depression and addiction,
and the emotional impact of career-ending injury. He also reflects on how coaching shaped his understanding of connection,
compassion, and the importance of asking simple but meaningful questions: Are you okay?








What You’ll Learn




• How self-worth can quietly become tied to performance and starting roles


• Why many athletes appear “fine” while struggling internally


• The emotional impact of injury and sudden loss of sport identity


• How grief and unprocessed loss affect student-athletes


• Why numbing pain doesn’t resolve what’s underneath


• What coaches can notice beyond discipline and attendance


• How parents can ask hard questions without needing all the answers


• Why connection — not correction — can change outcomes



Guest Spotlight: Matt Benson




Matt Benson is a former high school and collegiate football player and former high school football coach.
He played football at Eastern High School in Louisville, Kentucky, and later at the University of Pikeville, where he was part
of the team that won the first conference championship in school history.






After college, Matt coached high school football at Fern Creek High School from 2020–2023. He speaks openly about mental health,
grief, addiction, injury, and the importance of connection and honesty in athletics.



Key Quotes



“Football was the one thing I felt confident I was good at — and it was taken away from me in seconds.”




“I tried so hard to be enough for everyone else and never focused on being enough for myself.”




“Alcohol doesn’t take the pain away — it just numbs it.”




“You never know what’s going on in somebody’s life unless you ask.”




“Grab their hand and walk with them.”



Resources & Next Steps




•
Start a conversation: Share this episode with an athlete, parent, coach, or educator and talk about how pressure
and self-worth showed up in your own sports experience.



•
For athletes: If something resonated, consider reaching out to one person you trust — you don’t have to carry it alone.



•
Visit Glow For Hope:

Explore resources, events, and conversations at glowforhopenfp.org
(https://glowforhopenfp.org)




Next Episode




We’ll continue creating space for honest conversations around mental health, lived experience, and the people impacted by silence.
Subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next.



Support the Show




Glow For Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness for mental health and suicide prevention through conversation,
community, and connection.





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• Consider a tax-deductible donation to support our mission.



Crisis Resources




If you or someone you love is struggling, help is available.





• United States: Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)


• Emergency: Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room



Disclaimer




This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care.
If you are struggling, please seek support from a qualified mental health professional.












 
















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