Intro by King Musa
"Welcome back, CheatSheet fam! You know the vibes—it’s your host, King Musa, bringing you stories that decode success for creators, professors, and business owners. Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s crucial but often overlooked: mental health, especially for athletes.
Joining us is Holly Randall, Counselor for Athlete Mental Health at Stephen F. Austin State University. Holly is dedicated to ensuring student-athletes have the mental health support they need to thrive both on and off the field. Let’s get into it!"
Breaking the Ice
KM: "Holly, welcome to the CheatSheet! Let’s start with an icebreaker—what’s your version of meditation?"
Holly Randall: "Thanks for having me, King Musa! My version of meditation is mindfulness. I don’t sit cross-legged or practice yoga, but I take moments to be fully present. Like today, I walked across campus without my phone, just focusing on the air, the sounds, and the energy around me. That’s my meditation."
Getting to Know Holly
KM: "Can you introduce yourself and share what you do here at SFA?"
Holly: "Of course! I’m Holly Randall, a licensed clinical social worker. I work with SFA Counseling Services and Athletics to provide mental health and mental performance support to student-athletes."
KM: "Where did your passion for mental health come from?"
Holly: "I grew up right here in Nacogdoches, Texas. I’m a first-gen college graduate and a proud two-time SFA alum with a bachelor’s and master’s in social work. My career started in hospital and hospice settings, but my love for helping people, especially athletes, eventually brought me back to SFA."
Personal Life and Passions
KM: "Outside of work, what are your passions and hobbies?"
Holly: "I love spending time with my golden retriever, Rudy, and my family. Being outdoors is my therapy—whether it’s walking, going to the lake, or skiing in the winter. And of course, I enjoy watching our student-athletes succeed. Their dedication inspires me!"
Mental Health in Athletics
KM: "Tell us about your work with athlete mental health and why it’s important."
Holly: "Student-athletes face unique pressures, from managing competition stress to balancing academics and athletics. Nearly 45% of incoming athletes are at risk for mental health challenges. I provide tools like mindfulness exercises to help them manage anxiety and perform at their best."
Coming Full Circle
KM: "What brought you back to SFA to work in this role?"
Holly: "It’s a full-circle moment. After experiencing personal losses during COVID, I re-evaluated my career and realized my dream was to support student-athletes. Through mentorships and additional training, I found my way back to SFA, and it’s been an incredible journey."
Challenges in Mental Health
KM: "What are the challenges you face in your role?"
Holly: "The stigma around mental health is still a big barrier, especially in athletics. There’s this idea that struggling mentally means you’re weak, but that’s not true. My job is to educate and support students in recognizing that mental performance is just as important as physical strength."
Initiatives and Advice
KM: "What’s exciting in counseling services, and do you have advice for students?"
Holly: "We’re hosting a ‘Powerful U’ self-defense workshop on October 14th with UPD—it’s all about building confidence and inner strength.
For advice, I encourage students to adopt a growth mindset. See failures as opportunities to learn and grow. And if you’re feeling stuck, don’t hesitate to ask for help—resources like TimelyCare provide free counseling sessions for SFA students."
Outro by King Musa
"Holly, thank you for sharing your story and insights. Your work is a reminder that mental health is just as important as physical health.
To our listeners: Remember to prioritize your well-being. Stay tuned for more CheatSheet episodes that help you level up in life. It’s your host, King Musa, signing off. Stay balanced, stay focused, and take care of your mental health. Peace!"
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