“Authentic Athletes”? Explore the Connection Between Sport and Self.

“Authentic Athletes” began as a workshop I designed in grad school, rooted in my lived experience as a competitive figure skater and coach. The goal? To bring art therapy into the world of sport—where mental health often takes a backseat to performance.

I’ve been skating most of my life and coaching for over 14 years. While figure skating is often described as artistic, I found it to be incredibly rigid. Emotions were something we pushed aside. Pain was hidden. Vulnerability was viewed as weakness.

But for me, art was a lifeline.

Alongside the pressure of training and competition, I was always painting, doodling, writing, or dancing. These creative outlets became a way to process what I didn’t have words for. I saw too many peers silently suffer under the weight of expectations. I deeply believe that it doesn’t have to be that way.

It’s possible to be happy, healthy, and driven in sport—but only with the right support system. That support can come from many places: teammates, parents, coaches, and mental health professionals.

As an art therapist, I now work with athletes and their families in two ways:

• 1:1 sessions with athletes (or parents of athletes), using art to explore identity, self-expression, injury, pressure, and emotional regulation.

• Team workshops that build trust, cohesion, and healthy communication—while introducing athletes to expressive practices they can carry with them.

Authenticity in sport isn’t just about performance—it’s about showing up fully, with all parts of yourself. That’s what Authentic Athletes is all about.