Locker Talk®
In my Locker Talk® concept podcast which consists of: Women's Locker Talk®, Men's Locker Talk™, LGBTQ+ Locker Talk™, and Locker Talk University™, I articulate stigmatized topics that may or may not be discussed both openly and behind the scenes in our sports environments and communities today. They certainly were not during my time as a competitive distance runner when I struggled tremendously with Depression, eating disorders, food insecurity, suicidal ideations, and much more during my time competing as a member of UCLA's cross country and track & field teams. My simple hope for my Locker Talk™ concept is to use the art of storytelling with some help from some highly-esteemed professionals I've met along my journey to carry the love that I had for my sport and athletics as an act of love, compassion, and mental and emotional wellness, not self destruction. Regardless of your sport or lack thereof, demographic, gender identity, sexuality or race, I welcome any and all to my locker rooms to listen and hopefully take the stories and resources I share as a roadmap to something that you might be currently undergoing.
Locker Talk®
Closure & Communication With The Boise Bruiser
I'm honored to welcome Coach Forest Braden (former UCLA Assistant Coach, Mid-Distances, Distance, and Cross Country) to the locker room as we have an open and candid conversation, now in hindsight about the circumstances that led to the collapse of my running career while under his tutelage. Now in his seventh season as head distance coach at William & Mary University in Williamsburg, Virginia, Braden shares how his coaching philosophies have evolved as mental health discussions in distance running have continued to take center stage in comparison to the delicate and even nonexistent nature of these topics during our time working together, as well as his time as a student-athlete at Boise State University.
Braden completed his Boise State career as the most decorated distance runner in the history of the program, and the only distance runner to earn three NCAA All-American honors in school history- earning accolades in indoor and outdoor track as well as cross country.
Prior to his time developing some of UCLA's all-time best middle distance and distance runners, Braden also coached at Gonzaga University.
Braden also ran for Team Indiana Elite for one year and placed in the top-10 in five USATF Championship meets.
- View Braden's PR's here: https://worldathletics.org/athletes/united-states/forest-braden-14233143
- Instagram: @theboisebruiser
- William & Mary Bio: https://tribeathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/coaches/forest-braden/3472
If you have a story you would like to share, support, or feedback, please text me!
