showcase the power
of community support for each of us.
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Better Together is a supportive community among athletes of all stages and abilities utilizing the power of connection through mentoring. Relationship building is at the core of our mission. We believe that all aspects of life improve when athletes have a mentor and community of support to guide them in pursuit of their goals. We achieve and experience more together than as one. Better Together is a collective of current and former student-athletes working alongside each other to build and foster a community of support for generations to come.
Better Together Co-Founders:
Maura McCarthy, Dr. Kimberly O'Brien, and Daphne Faldi
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Lead by Dr. Kimberly O'Brien, PhD, LICSW
First Year College Student Athletes
2 Zoom Sessions with Dr. Kimberly O’Brien & College Mentors
Session 1: August 5 or 6 7:00-8:00 PM EST
Expectations. Better Together mentors, consisting of college athletes, will discuss what to expect in the transition to college athletics. Our mentors and mental health professionals will teach skills and strategies to best prepare for this change through goal setting and habit building. In addition, athletes will learn effective strategies for communicating with teammates and coaches, as well as how to balance the multiple roles and responsibilities of a college athlete.
Session 2: August 12 or 13 7:00-8:00 PM EST
Mental Skill Building- Athletes will learn core mental skills that support both mental health and performance. Our mentors and mental health professionals will teach concrete skills in mindset, self-talk, mindfulness, breath work, visualization, purpose, grit, and positivity to build resilience in and out of the arena. Together we will discuss in groups how to use these skills effectively when faced with difficult situations in and out of sport.
Two one-on-one sessions with your mentor. Athletes will be matched with a mentor to discuss what was learned in the program and answer questions about their experience with the transition to college athletics.
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Session 2: Mental Skill Building
High school athletes will learn core mental skills that support both mental health and performance. Our focus is on building critical skills in mindset, self-talk, mindfulness, breath work, visualization, purpose, grit, and positivity to build resilience in and out of the arena. Our instructors will provide concrete skills and discuss in groups how to use these skills effectively when faced with difficult situations in and out of sport.
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Session 3:
Communication and Balance
Instructors will teach athletes effective strategies for communicating with teammates and coaches that align with their values and help them achieve their goals. Finally, we will discuss ways to create balance, as student-athletes have many roles and responsibilities to manage. Our instructors and mentors will discuss how various techniques and skills in communication and balance can help athletes prioritize and improve theirmental health and well-being.
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About Our Peer Mentor Meetings
Between each session, athletes meet with their designated mentor to reflect on what they have learned. Mentors build a vital relationship with their athletes by answering questions and sharing their own experiences.
Our mentors are trained to ask important questions and foster nurturing relationships with their athletes as they pursue their goals in and out of sport.