From Athlete to Sport Psychologist: How Community and Team Experiences Shape Us (A Look Back at 2006 & 2016)
- Dr. Blakely
- Jan 24
- 4 min read
In the last few weeks, a “looking back at 2016” trend has been circulating on social media. I decided to widen the lens — not just to 2016, but also to 2006 — and I was reminded of something I see every day in my work with athletes and high performers:
Our Identity is Shaped by Our Teams, Our Communities, and the People Who Walk with Us Through Challenge and Growth
As I looked through photos from these two pivotal years, I definitely saw important milestones—graduations from high school and my doctoral program—but there was more than that. I saw the influences, people, and identity shifts that connect who I was, who I became, and why I do the work I do today.
2006: Identity, Athletics, and Belonging
In 2006, I was a senior in high school at Alamo Heights. Soccer was more than a sport; it was a huge part of my identity and my community. Many athletes may relate to this, but I was usually referred to as "Blakely the soccer player" instead of just by name.
That season, we made a historic state playoff run, and I was honored to be named the San Antonio Express-News Player of the Year. I was a three-year captain for my team. We had a fantastic season that was incredibly fun. One of my favorite photos from that time was taken during our regional championship game—a moment that captured everything I loved about being an athlete: shared purpose, intensity, challenge, and belonging.
Like many high-achieving student-athletes, my social world was deeply connected to my teams and my classes. I was absolutely a nerd and studied hard; my friend group was built around people who were pushing themselves in similar ways. Looking back, I can see how many of my values emerged: achievement, hard work, and connection were always intertwined.
Starting Over: College and the First Identity Shift
When I arrived at Davidson College, I did what many athletes do—I rebuilt my world around my team. We studied together, trained together, ate together, and hung out together.
I played in every game as a freshman, but I didn’t start until the very end of the season. The college game was fast, and I struggled with my fitness. That experience exposed something different for me. My confidence dipped. I questioned myself as a player. I felt the internal pressure that so many athletes quietly carry: If I’m not excelling, what does that mean about who I think I am?
At the time, I didn’t have language for it. I didn’t know about sport psychology. But looking back, I can say this clearly:
That version of me could have used a sport psychologist.
I didn't know how to observe my thoughts without getting stuck in them.
I didn't know how to identify stories I was telling myself that had approximately zero chance of helping me to perform better.
I didn't know how to recover quickly after a mistake.
I didn't know how to leverage my strengths as a player instead of overfocusing on areas for improvement.
This was my first real encounter with the mental side of performance—not as a concept, but as lived experience.
Luckily, I learned how to work through some of these challenges over the course of my collegiate career... but I deeply resonate with many of the struggles my clients today face.
2016: Education, Serendipity, and Finding My Work
Fast forward a decade.
In 2016, I finished my Ph.D., completed my doctoral internship at Penn State, graduated in August, and then began my postdoctoral fellowship at Lehigh University in the sport psychology track.
When I began my doctoral program at Texas Tech, I had no intention of working in athletics. But through incredible mentors, unexpected opportunities, and a lot of curiosity, I found my way back to sport—this time, with tools to support the people living the experiences I once struggled to navigate.
I graduated alongside some incredibly intelligent, thoughtful clinicians. My time at Texas Tech shaped not only how I work but how I see people, growth, and resilience. I also had phenomenal cohorts of fellow interns and postdocs who have absolutely influenced the clinician I am today.
Chosen Family and the Teammates Who Shape Us
One of the most meaningful parts of these photos has nothing to do with degrees or titles. That summer, I took a trip with my senior year college roommates—teammates, friends, and fellow athletes who had been my support system during formative years. I’ve been incredibly lucky to be surrounded by high-achieving, driven, intelligent women who consistently challenged how I saw myself and what I believed was possible.
Another photo from 2016 shows me with my best friend, Jessica, who hosted my family after my graduation ceremony in Lubbock. We met through yoga teacher training while I was a graduate student in Lubbock. She’s a psychiatric nurse practitioner, and since that photo was taken, we’ve both opened our own businesses. We’ve leaned on each other through entrepreneurship, scaling, self-doubt, and growth—in life and in work. Having connection (and teammates of sorts!) as we navigate new life challenges is truly invaluable.
Why This Matters (and Why I Do What I Do)
These photos are reminders of what I see every day in therapy and consulting:
Teams shape identity
Transitions challenge confidence
Community makes growth sustainable
Mental health is performance health
Athletics gave me so much—but it also showed me how easy it is to struggle in silence, especially when your identity is built around achievement. That’s why my work today centers on helping athletes, high performers, and leaders build resilience that lasts beyond a single season, role, or achievement.
Because none of us grow alone.
And none of us are meant to.
Comments