The importance of listening to the athlete’s voice cannot be understated. The Sport Nova Scotia Podcast will host athletes and subject matter experts who will cover everything from body image and over exercising to eating disorders, athlete-coach relationships, psychological maltreatment, training-life balance, and transitioning out of sport. This six-episode mental health series was created by athletes, for athletes.
Sophie Nicholson graduated from the School of Health and Human Performance at Dalhousie University with a BSc Kinesiology before spending some of her professional career at Sport Nova Scotia. Nicholson recently returned to Dalhousie to attend the School of Physiotherapy.
This podcast hears our host Sophie and guest Abby Blauer delve into her journey of transitioning out of sport while still maintaining a deep connection to that part of herself. Abby shares her emotions and decisions of walking away from sports she loved while embracing life beyond athletics.
The list of resources below was sourced by the Safe Sport Athlete Advisory Committee and the subject matter expert from this episode.
Abby is a retired hockey and soccer player who maintains a strong connection to athletics. Currently studying at Dalhousie University, Abby is actively involved sport and contributes to the community as an Athletic Trainer, which allows her to stay engaged while advancing her education. Abby serves on the Athletic Advisory Committee, using her voice to advocate for athlete inclusion, safe sport practices and other important initiatives
Abby is a retired hockey and soccer player who maintains a strong connection to athletics. Currently studying at Dalhousie University, Abby is actively involved sport and contributes to the community as an Athletic Trainer, which allows her to stay engaged while advancing her education. Abby serves on the Athletic Advisory Committee, using her voice to advocate for athlete inclusion, safe sport practices and other important initiatives
The list of resources below was sourced by the Safe Sport Athlete Advisory Committee and the subject matter expert from this episode.
This podcast hears our host Sophie and guest Dr. Simon Taylor discuss the process that’s involved in athlete’s transitioning out of sport, whether that’s by retirement by choice or due to unforeseen circumstances. Simon highlights some of the common struggles that athletes experience, how to proactively navigate them, and where to find accessible resources.
The list of resources below was sourced by the Safe Sport Athlete Advisory Committee and the subject matter expert from this episode.
The list of resources below was sourced by the Safe Sport Athlete Advisory Committee and the subject matter expert from this episode.
This podcast hears our host Sophie and guest Carolyn Dawson discuss her abrupt transition out of competitive play and the move to coaching high level sport in Nova Scotia. Carolyn discusses the challenges and emotional hurdles with sudden transition out of competing and how to grow and learn from experience by building a network of support.
The list of resources below was sourced by the Safe Sport Athlete Advisory Committee and the subject matter expert from this episode.
The list of resources below was sourced by the Safe Sport Athlete Advisory Committee and the subject matter expert from this episode.
This podcast hears host Sophie and guest Luke Berryman discuss the athletic journey, from grassroots to varsity sport. Listen to Luke discuss experiences of seeing friends exit sport, athletic identity, and ways to engage with sport after the ‘athlete’ experience ends.
The list of resources below was sourced by the Safe Sport Athlete Advisory Committee and the subject matter expert from this episode.
The list of resources below was sourced by the Safe Sport Athlete Advisory Committee and the subject matter expert from this episode.
In this two-part episode Sophie, Tina, Cherokee and Jeremy discuss the mental and physical ramifications of leaving sport. They chat about the necessity to redefine yourself once “athlete” is no longer part of your identity, and what staying active looks like without coaches, tournaments or trainers.
The list of resources below was sourced by the Safe Sport Athlete Advisory Committee and the subject matter expert from this episode.
Tina DeRoo is a mental performance consultant with the Canadian Sport Institute Atlantic focusing on provincial-level athletes. She also works at the YMCA as a personal trainer.
Cherokee Robinson was a multisport athlete who represented Nova Scotia in both basketball and football. Robinson transitioned to USport, and played for Acadia before taking some away from university this year.
Tina DeRoo is a mental performance consultant with the Canadian Sport Institute Atlantic focusing on provincial-level athletes. She also works at the YMCA as a personal trainer.
Cherokee Robinson was a multisport athlete who represented Nova Scotia in both basketball and football. Robinson transitioned to USport, and played for Acadia before taking some away from university this year.
The list of resources below was sourced by the Safe Sport Athlete Advisory Committee and the subject matter expert from this episode.
In this two-part episode Sophie, Tina, Cherokee and Jeremy discuss the mental and physical ramifications of leaving sport. They chat about the necessity to redefine yourself once “athlete” is no longer part of your identity, and what staying active looks like without coaches, tournaments or trainers.
The list of resources below was sourced by the Safe Sport Athlete Advisory Committee and the subject matter expert from this episode.
Tina DeRoo is a mental performance consultant with the Canadian Sport Institute Atlantic focusing on provincial-level athletes. She also works at the YMCA as a personal trainer.
Jeremy Bartholomeusz is a national team gymnast and the chair of the Sport Nova Scotia Safe Sport Athlete Advisory Committee.
Tina DeRoo is a mental performance consultant with the Canadian Sport Institute Atlantic focusing on provincial-level athletes. She also works at the YMCA as a personal trainer.
Jeremy Bartholomeusz is a national team gymnast and the chair of the Sport Nova Scotia Safe Sport Athlete Advisory Committee.
The list of resources below was sourced by the Safe Sport Athlete Advisory Committee and the subject matter expert from this episode.
The list of resources below was sourced by the Safe Sport Athlete Advisory Committee and the subject matter expert from this episode.
Natalie Randall Price is an osteopath and athletic therapist at Cove Sport Therapy where she specializes in injury assessment and management, prevention, rehabilitation and re-training.
Mikayla Boucher is a medical science student and varsity track athlete at Dalhousie University.
Sophie Carmichael is a varsity basketball and volleyball, and cross-country athlete at Auburn High School.
Natalie Randall Price is an osteopath and athletic therapist at Cove Sport Therapy where she specializes in injury assessment and management, prevention, rehabilitation and re-training.
Mikayla Boucher is a medical science student and varsity track athlete at Dalhousie University.
Sophie Carmichael is a varsity basketball and volleyball, and cross-country athlete at Auburn High School.
The list of resources below was sourced by the Safe Sport Athlete Advisory Committee and the subject matter expert from this episode.
The list of resources below was sourced by the Safe Sport Athlete Advisory Committee and the subject matter expert from this episode.
The list of resources below was sourced by the Safe Sport Athlete Advisory Committee and the subject matter expert from this episode.
The list of resources below was sourced by the Safe Sport Athlete Advisory Committee and the subject matter expert from this episode.
Dr. Lori Dithurbide is a sport psychology professor at Dalhousie University who focuses on the psychosocial aspects of sport and physical activity. Dr. Dithurbide is also a mental performance consultant at the Canadian Sport Institute Atlantic.
Maddie MacDonald is a rugby player and coach who also works for the Government of Nova Scotia in the community sport and recreation sector. MacDonald is currently working in an interim position with the North American Indigenous Games.
Caelan Shaw is a former freestyle skier with Team Nova Scotia. She recently transitioned from athlete to coach, and now works as an instructor with the Wentworth All Mountain Ski Program.
Dr. Lori Dithurbide is a sport psychology professor at Dalhousie University who focuses on the psychosocial aspects of sport and physical activity. Dr. Dithurbide is also a mental performance consultant at the Canadian Sport Institute Atlantic.
Maddie MacDonald is a rugby player and coach who also works for the Government of Nova Scotia in the community sport and recreation sector. MacDonald is currently working in an interim position with the North American Indigenous Games.
Caelan Shaw is a former freestyle skier with Team Nova Scotia. She recently transitioned from athlete to coach, and now works as an instructor with the Wentworth All Mountain Ski Program.
The list of resources below was sourced by the Safe Sport Athlete Advisory Committee and the subject matter expert from this episode.
The list of resources below was sourced by the Safe Sport Athlete Advisory Committee and the subject matter expert from this episode.
Alex Gagnon is a former national team judo athlete who competed internationally until 2020 when she retired due to injury. Gagnon is currently in her final year of an honors degree in sociology where she researches the normalization of weight cutting in combat sports.
Rania is a clinical therapist with Eating Disorders Nova Scotia. With a Masters in Counselling Psychology and over eight years of experience as a clinical therapist, ElSouri supports folks dealing with trauma, depression, anxiety, and disordered
Alex Gagnon is a former national team judo athlete who competed internationally until 2020 when she retired due to injury. Gagnon is currently in her final year of an honors degree in sociology where she researches the normalization of weight cutting in combat sports.
Rania is a clinical therapist with Eating Disorders Nova Scotia. With a Masters in Counselling Psychology and over eight years of experience as a clinical therapist, Rania supports folks dealing with trauma, depression, anxiety, and disordered.
The list of resources below was sourced by the Safe Sport Athlete Advisory Committee and the subject matter expert from this episode.
In this inaugural episode, Sophie sits down with Senator Kutcher and Jeremy Bartholomeusz to discuss mental disorders and how they relate to athletes. Jeremy will provide an overview of the Safe Sport Athlete Advisory Committee, and give listeners a teaser of what to expect in future episodes. They’ll chat about the stigma attached to seeking help and the differences between mental health, mental wellness and mental disorders.
The list of resources below was sourced by the Safe Sport Athlete Advisory Committee and the subject matter expert from this episode.
Jeremy Bartholomeusz is a national team gymnast and the chair of the Sport Nova Scotia Safe Sport Athlete Advisory Committee.
Senator Stan Kutcher is a leading psychiatrist and professor who has helped young people successfully manage major mental illnesses. His appointment to the Senate allows him to put his decades of medical, academic and policy expertise at the service of all Canadians.
Jeremy Bartholomeusz is a national team gymnast and the chair of the Sport Nova Scotia Safe Sport Athlete Advisory Committee.
Senator Stan Kutcher is a leading psychiatrist and professor who has helped young people successfully manage major mental illnesses. His appointment to the Senate allows him to put his decades of medical, academic and policy expertise at the service of all Canadians.
The list of resources below was sourced by the Safe Sport Athlete Advisory Committee and the subject matter expert from this episode.