184. How Improving Athletes’ Mental Health + Team Culture Benefits Performance with Lindsey LeMay Majkrzak

Female Athlete Nutrition

This episode of the Female Athlete Nutrition podcast is with Head Lacrosse Coach at Northern Michigan University, Lindsey LeMay Majkrzak. Lindsey shares her athletic background, participating in both NCAA Division I lacrosse and rowing. Her own mental health struggles in college prematurely ended Linsey’s own playing career, but not her love for the sport of lacrosse. Aged 24, Lindsey took on the Head Coach role at Northern Michigan, and has steadily guided her women’s lacrosse team to more and more success. We highlight the importance of women coaches, as well as ways Lindsey has built a healthy and thriving culture through intentional recruiting, emotional wellbeing, and not overemphasizing competitiveness at the cost of enjoying lacrosse. Lindsey talks about how prioritizing positive memories and the mental health of her athletes has benefited their performances and overall college experience.

Lindsey and I discuss strategies to enhance student athletes’ mental health on college campuses, and the resources available, including The Hidden Opponent and Morgan’s Message. We also talk about how Lindsey promotes a positive nutrition culture among her team, leaning on strength and conditioning staff, providing athletes’ with multiple food options when traveling, and not commenting on athletes’ plates or choices. And Melissa also answers our end of the podcast questions.

TOPIC TIMESTAMPS:

6:40 Lindsey’s athletics and mental health background: competing at the NCAA D1 level in both lacrosse and rowing

13:50 Switching to collegiate rowing

17:20 Lindsey’s path to coaching lacrosse

23:15 Learning from mentors; coaching with athletes’ mental health and happiness in mind

26:10 Keys to athletic success for female athletes: prioritizing culture and emotional well-being

29:15 Women in sports as coaches and athletes

31:50 Creating a positive team culture: combining positive experiences with competitive mindsets; recruiting the “right” athletes

39:45 Mental health resources on college campuses/ coach team mental health activities

46:00 How improving athletes’ mental health improves performance

51:40 Promoting a positive nutrition culture in sports teams

1:00:40 End of the podcast questions

Read Lindsey’s Hidden Opponent article: Setting the Standard: Lindsey LeMay, Northern Michigan University

Check out the Hidden Opponent here and our previous episodes with Hidden Opponent members:

119: Improving Athlete Mental Health & Toxic Team Culture with Leeann Passaro

118: Team USA Swimmer's Battle With Anorexia + Medical Retirement with Eva Merrell

114: Student-Athlete Mental Health Matters! With Arla Davis

Follow your host, Lindsey Cortes, @female.athlete.nutrition

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