Stories from Student Athletes

Founded by lacrosse student-athlete, Taylor Priestley, NMU SAAC and Cat's Connect Mental Health are very excited to announce the launch of Beyond an Athlete Blog! 

This Blog aims to promote more discussion around student athletes' identity beyond their sport. Each student-athlete has a story to bring, passions to tell, and important life moments to share. 

An image of Harry Gray an NMU soccer goalie. It says: Beyond an Athlete, a blog focused on Diversity and Wellbeing, The London Heathrow Airport

The London Heathrow Airport

"Practice gratitude for where you are right now. I do my best to keep a positive mindset, as I remind myself that I am here to be happy and enjoy life, so there is no point wasting time looking for the negative." 

Beyond an Athlete
Aydan Insta

The Shift

"Instead of constantly stressing about a position or feeling down about not filling it, I've transformed my perspective into something positive. I genuinely enjoy seeing others thrive in that role, and I take pride in encouraging them to achieve their full potential."

Beyond An Athlete

Diversity in Athletics Events

TBD

Beyond an Athlete, A blog focused on Diversity and Wellbeing, The Ten Minute Meeting, there is a picture of Brian who is a white male basketball player. He is celebrating beneath the hoop

The Ten Minute Meeting

"...there’s always someone who's really there for you—who cares for you—who wants more FOR you than FROM you."

Beyond An Athlete
A female athlete in a heavy coat skiing down a winter slope, maneuvering past various poles lodged in the snow

Inside and Out

"Appreciating the challenge of seeing life through a lens other than your own allows us to learn and grow."

Beyond An Athlete
A photo of a girl holding a leaf with green text above. Text reads "Beyond an Athlete: Facing The Fear Of Failure"

Facing The Fear Of Failure

"Being kind to yourself–despite the outcome–for taking a risk is the most restorative feeling."

Beyond An Athlete
Image is of Logan on the swim and dive team, with text stating "A World Bigger Than Yourself"

A World Bigger Than Yourself

“If you feel like a part of you is missing once you clean your locker out for the final time, you should know you are not alone.”

Beyond An Athlete
Image of Ruby wearing a firefighter jacket. The text reads "Beyond An Athlete: a blog focused on Diversity and Wellbeing: One Of The Girls"

One Of The Girls

“I believe we owe it to ourselves to remain true and not dim ourselves because of who we are surrounded by. It wasn’t always easy to be in the spaces I was in, but you have to be willing to take up space, to be loud in a quiet room.” 

Beyond An Athlete
The image has a dark green border, with a white square in the center. The top half of the white square has text, the bottom half has a photo of Charles Dill wrestling. The text reads "Beyond an athlete: a blog focused on diversity and wellbeing. On the Mat with Charles Dill at Northern's National Training Site"

On The Mat With Charles Dill

"I’d like to believe, everything else in life is easy after you wrestle. Wrestling teaches deduction over motivation, discipline, and the advantage of a strong mental game. There’s no ego in the practice room, but when you step on the mat you must believe you're the best."

Beyond An Athlete
Image is a photo of the womens lacrosse team under a rainbow, with a dark green border. Text reads "Beyond An Athlete: A blog focused on diversity and wellbeing. Welcome to my passion project"

Welcome To My Passion Project

"If someone would have told me five years ago that I would be going to Northern Michigan University, playing my favorite sport, creating a blog, and living my dream college experience, I wouldn’t have believed it for a second. I can confidently say young fifteen-year-old Taylor would be proud, but it hasn’t always felt this way."

Click the link below to read more about Taylor's story.

Beyond An Athlete
Image is a photo of a student running track, with a dark green border. Text reads "Beyond An Athlete: A blog focused on diversity and wellbeing. Navigating Identity Off The Track"

Navigating Identity Off The Track

“Coming to Northern allowed me to step into my identity and flourish. While it came with plenty of challenges and hardships, I realize now that I have grown into the person I looked up to as a kid.”

Beyond An Athlete
Image is a photo of Alyssa with her family, with a dark green border. Text reads "Beyond An Athlete: A blog focused on diversity and wellbeing. Tell the people you love, you love them"

Tell The People You Love, You Love Them

“Nothing could ever prepare me for the battle I've had to face at twenty-years old. My life has forever changed, but I have never been more thankful for the people helping me put it back together.” 

Beyond An Athlete

Resources for Athletes

NCAA Offical Mental Health resources
https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2016/8/4/mental-health-educational-resources.aspx

NCAA Offical Sport related Illness & Injury resources 
https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2024/4/22/sport-related-illness-and-injury.aspx

Wellbeing Center Student Resources 
https://nmu.edu/wellbeing/student-resources