Where We Play: Nashville

Michael Phelps is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time. He captured 28 Olympic medals, including a record-setting 23 gold medals, and set 39 world records over the course of his distinguished career. Phelps utilized his performance bonus for winning eight gold medals in 2008 to establish the Michael Phelps Foundation, which promotes water safety, healthy living (physical and mental), and the pursuit of dreams. The Foundation’s signature program - IM – is implemented through strategic partnerships with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Special Olympics International. In 2015, Phelps courageously opened up about his own mental health challenges, becoming one of the first and most prominent athlete voices who have helped catapult the important conversation across sports and pop culture. His advocacy for water safety and mental health have earned the recognition of the American Image Awards, BBC Sports, Child Mind Institute, The Kennedy Forum, Laureus World Sports Awards, PR Week, The Ruderman Family Foundation, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration among others. In addition, Phelps served as an Executive Producer, Narrator, and featured talent in the HBO documentary The Weight of Gold, which explores the mental health challenges Olympic athletes often face. He also appeared in the IndieFlix documentary, Angst, which explores anxiety among middle school students and their families.

Since the debut of his album My Tribe, two-time GRAMMY® Award nominee and GMA Dove Award winner Blessing Offor has established himself as a true artist’s artist with a voice as bright and authentic as his personality. My Tribe debuted in early 2023, and quickly hit Top 20 on THREE Billboard charts. It is the BIGGEST STREAMING DEBUT from a solo male artist on Capitol CMG. The album’s title track was featured in a global Coca-Cola ad campaign, his “The Goodness” with TobyMac became his first #1, and My Tribe’s lead single “Brighter Days” became a bastion for mainstream radio, hitting top 25 on the mainstream AC radio charts with over 100M views on TikTok. Blessing has won two 2023 GMA Dove Awards for Pop / Contemporary Song of the Year, and Short Form Music Video of the Year (Performance), has appeared on Good Morning America, Kelly Clarkson and The Jennifer Hudson Show and was named both an Amazon Breakthrough Artist and Pandora Artist to Watch. Blessing will hit the road in February 2024, the support act on Lauren Daigle’s Kaleidoscope Tour.

One of the most decorated American athletes of all-time, Allison Schmitt is a four-time Olympian and 10-time Olympic medalist. A veteran leader, Schmitt was named captain of the 2020 USA Swimming Team in Tokyo, a role she also held for the 2016 Rio Games. Out of the pool, she is an avid mental health advocate, speaking out about her personal struggles with depression and her family’s tragedy of losing a loved one to suicide. Passionate about raising awareness and helping those who are battling mental health issues, Schmitt earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Georgia, completed her Master’s degree in Social Work from Arizona State University and plans to pursue a career in mental health after leaving the pool.

Drew Baldridge moved to Nashville in 2011 and had his dreams come true by signing a record deal very early on in his career. He released multiple songs that reached the radio charts and saw big streaming numbers. However, in 2019, he lost that record deal and thought his career was over. In 2020, he started releasing his own music, and since then has created his own label and publishing company with his latest viral hit, “She’s Somebody’s Daughter,” leading the way for him with over 400 million social media impressions and streams. Even though Drew has become an Independent powerhouse artist, he’s also an acclaimed songwriter, writing songs for Locash, Bailey Zimmerman, Chase Matthew and more. He has shared stages with Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Eric Church, and many others.

Kevin Dyson currently serves as the Principal at Centennial High School in Franklin, Tennessee. He was the former No. 16 pick of the 1998 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans (then Oilers), and his name is synonymous with two of the most memorable plays in National Football League history: the 2000 Wild Card Playoff game against the Buffalo Bills (“Music City Miracle”), and Super Bowl XXXIV versus the St. Louis Rams (“One Yard Short”). As the oldest of four, Dyson largely credits his single mother for supporting his dream to play professional sports while emphasizing the importance of education. Today, as Dr. Kevin Dyson, he holds two masters’ degrees and a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Practical Practice. In addition to his work as a principal, Dr. Dyson hosts a podcast, serves as radio host for his pre- and post-game show for the Tennessee Titans, and avidly mentors youth in Metro Nashville and the surrounding area.

Eric Decker is a native of Cold Spring, MN. He attended the University of Minnesota where he holds the school record for career receptions and career yards. Eric was selected in the third round (87th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos and caught 222 passes for 3,070 yards and 33 touchdowns in four years with the Broncos. In 2012, he led the AFC with 13 touchdown catches. Decker signed with the New York Jets following the 2013 season, which ended in the Super Bowl for Decker and the Broncos. In 2014, he caught 74 passes for 962 yards and five touchdowns. He significantly contributed to Hall of Famer Peyton Manning's final season in 2013 before signing with the New York Jets. After eight seasons in the NFL, Decker retired before the 2018 season.

Since his time as a major league baseball player, Ben has been a strong advocate for mental and emotional health as well as an avid youth and faith mentor. In 2017, Zobrist partnered with One Mind institute to raise funds for brain health. After retirement from baseball in 2019, he served on the board of the American Psychiatric Association Foundation (present) and Refuge Center for Counseling in Franklin, TN. He recently launched Champion Forward in 2023 which addresses the mental and emotional health problems of burnout, isolation, and performance pressure for young competitors, their caretakers, and coaches. He enjoys bringing healthy awareness, balance, and connection into the high performance sports world through providing educational and inspiring tools and resources to young people. He feels energized by speaking to groups, podcasting, and deep 1 on 1 conversations. Ben and his 3 children live on a farm in Franklin, TN.

Altha J. Stewart, M.D., Senior Associate Dean for Community Health Engagement at UT Health Science Center (UTHSC) in Memphis is Associate Professor and Chief of Social/Community Psychiatry as well as Director, Center for Youth Advocacy and Well-Being at UTHSC. From 2018-19 Dr. Stweart served as the 145th President of the American Psychiatric Association, the first African American elected to this position in the 175-year history of the organization. Dr. Stewart also served as Medical Director for the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), and Executive Director of the Memphis/Shelby County System of Care program. A native of Memphis, Dr. Stewart worked for decades as CEO/Executive Director in large public mental health systems in Pennsylvania, New York, and Michigan. Dr. Stewart received her medical degree from Temple University Medical School and completed her residency at what is now Drexel University. Dr. Stewart has received honorary degrees from Regis College and Christian Brothers University in Memphis. She is past president of the Black Psychiatrists of America, Association of Women Psychiatrists and American Psychiatric Foundation. Dr. Stewart is also the recipient of the Black Psychiatrists of America Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dr. Cochran made Nashville, TN her home over 25 years ago. A graduate of the University of Louisville School of Medicine, she chose Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville to complete her residency (Chief Resident). Dr Cochran's early passion for advancing the treatment and awareness of brain health led her to establishing the Nashville Center for Hope & Healing, and a comprehensive insurance-based clinic NeuroScience & TMS Treatment Center which now has four locations. As a renowned TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) leader both nationally and internationally, she remains dedicated to the advancement of care for Treatment-Resistant Depression. She says, “mood disorders may be difficult to treat, but there is always hope to achieve wellness.” In addition to founding these centers, Dr. Cochran loves to help advance the TMS field and because of this she developed the curriculum used in the Clinical TMS Society’s acclaimed PULSES courses and is the Course Director. She has been honored to be inducted as a Fellow in the Clinical TMS Society (FCTMSS) for her leadership and work in the society. She is active in the Tennessee Psychiatric Association as the upcoming President, and in the American Psychiatric Association (APA) serving on its Assembly. She has received the APA Distinguished Lifetime Fellow designation (DLFAPA) and has been appointed the Chair of the Caucus on Neuromodulation . Dr. Cochran is married with two adult sons and a rescue dog. In her spare time, she enjoys painting and drawing.

Shannon Duffy is a Licensed Psychotherapist with over eighteen years' experience. She is currently independently licensed as a LPC in the state of Arizona and as a LCPC in the state of Illinois. Ms. Duffy works with individuals and couples within an online therapeutic setting. She is an avid athlete who enjoys being active through running, swimming, cycling, hiking, and yoga.

Chad Karger is a porter and co-executive director at Porter’s Call. He has more than twenty-five years in the field of counseling, spiritual direction, and consulting both individuals and organizations in mind, body, and spiritual health. He lives in Franklin, Tennessee.

Tony Kemp is a current Major League Baseball player. He graduated from Centennial High School in Franklin, Tennessee. He attended Vanderbilt University, where he played college baseball for the Vanderbilt Commodores baseball team. In 2011, Kemp was named the Southeastern Conference's (SEC) Freshman of the Year and First Team All-SEC. Tony was a key contributor on the first Vanderbilt baseball team to make it to the College World Series. He was named an All-American and the SEC Baseball Player of the Year in 2013. He was selected in the MLB draft that same year and has gone on to complete 8 seasons in MLB with the Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, and The Oakland Athletics highlighted by a World Series Championship with Houston in 2017. Tony is now going into his 9th season professionally and is excited to talk about mental health to young aspiring athletes.

Sam Kirkpatrick is a senior shortstop for the Belmont University baseball team. Hailing from Franklin, Tennessee, he is shaped by his roots in Middle Tennessee and his love for competition. Sam began playing baseball at 3 years old in his childhood backyard, and now seeks to use baseball as a platform to facilitate transformative conversations about the hidden struggles of athletes. After undergoing a serious bout of imposter syndrome in the summer of 2022, Sam felt called to tell his story in hopes of breaking the ice for athletes around him. A few months later, he started his own clothing brand called “i am Vulnerable.” to change the narrative about vulnerability from a perceived weakness to a strength. Sam has since spoken at numerous panels and conferences about the mental pressures college athletes face, and he hopes to continue speaking about these topics as a part of his career in the future.

Sarah Kroger is a Nashville-based, catholic worship leader and songwriter who has released five albums including her latest live album, The London Sessions (2023.) She is part of the multi-cultural trio Village Lights as well as the female collective FAITHFUL, two enterprises that are a testament to her prolific creativity and talent.

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Aleah Johnson earned her undergraduate degree from Washington State University in leadership and professional studies with an emphasis on event design. Prior to joining the Meadows Behavioral Healthcare team, she worked as an event planner, where weddings and social gatherings were her specialty. It was only after she found that planning parties and being the life of the party went hand in hand with addiction for her, that she knew it was time to seek help. Through her own recovery journey, Johnson felt there had to be a higher purpose for her life and work. Wanting to make a change, she applied for a job with MBH, packed what she could fit in her car, and headed for Arizona. Now she channels those event planning skills into recovery-related events and programs. Being able to spend time with alumni after they complete treatment, hearing about their accomplishments, and helping them overcome setbacks are highlights of the job. Johnson’s primary focuses are connection and community, using those to provide safe places and platforms for alum from any of our programs to be able to gain knowledge and connect with others to be successful on their recovery journey.

A student and long-distance runner at Belmont University, Grace Litzinger realized her passion for running at an early age on her hometown trails in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Her collegiate career has been a catalyst for both personal and athletic development, but this growth has been far from linear. As a school record holder and qualifier for the preliminary round of the NCAA championships in the 3000m steeplechase, Grace has experience navigating the rigors of highly competitive sport atmospheres and pressures. Motivated by her personal struggles and those shared by teammates concerning mental health, Grace is committed to destigmatizing discussions surrounding mental wellness in sports and beyond. In her capacities as a team leader and president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), she strives to cultivate environments that prioritize and support athletes' mental wellness.

Colin Looney, M.D., is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in care of the knee, hip, shoulder and sports medicine. His areas of expertise include hip arthroscopy with labral repair or labral reconstruction, ACL reconstruction, rotator cuff repair, cartilage restoration and robotic-assisted total knee replacement and robotic-assisted direct anterior hip replacement. He also treats patients for general orthopedic problems, such as fracture care. Dr. Looney earned his medical degree and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC. He then completed a sports medicine fellowship at the Steadman Hawkins Clinic (now the Steadman Clinic) in Vail, CO, and earned an additional certificate of qualification in sports medicine. Dr. Looney is a member of the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery the Piedmont Orthopedic Society, and the International Society of Hip Arthroscopy. Dr. Looney was a high school and college wrestler and football player at Woodberry Forest School and Washington and Lee University, both in Virginia. He enjoys serving as team physician for Battle Ground Academy and Centennial High School in Franklin, as well as working as an event physician at local sporting events such as the annual Iroquois Steeplechase in Nashville. In addition to athletic events, Dr. Looney enjoys spending time fly-fishing and hunting. He and his wife, Mary, have two children and live in Franklin.

Grammy-nominated singer Britt Nicole is eminent across Pop and Contemporary Christian charts. With seven #1 Radio Singles and over 200M streams, Britt Nicole has solidified her place as a distinguished artist. At the age of 19, Britt moved to Nashville, TN to pursue music. Since then, Nicole’s albums have graced Billboard charts. In 2014, Britt Nicole earned her first gold certification with her title track “Gold”. Additionally, her collaboration with rapper NF on “Can You Hold Me” was certified Gold this year. Multiple tracks were also featured in notable films such as Soul Surfer and The Other Woman. Britt Nicole has had the opportunity to tour with many respected artists. In 2012, Britt Nicole set off on her first headlining tour: ‘You're Worth More Than Gold Tour’. Britt Nicole went on to join TobyMac for ‘This is Not a Test Tour’ and shortly after, ‘Hits Deep Tour.’ While being on the road, Britt values connecting one-on-one with fans and hearing their stories. Set apart by her authenticity and vulnerability, Britt Nicole’s albums consistently feature a sonically fresh sound and a message of hope. By sharing her own heart through songwriting, Britt aspires to encourage the heart of her listeners. With a combined social following of over 1.4M across the globe, Britt Nicole has continually purposed to reach others.

Dr. Sutcliffe is the Assistant Athletic Director for Sport Psychology and Mental Performance at Vanderbilt University. She directs and oversees sport psychology, mental health and performance services for Vanderbilt Athletics. She meets with individual varsity student-athletes and with varsity teams to offer comprehensive and integrated performance enhancement and mental health consultation services. Additionally, she consults with Athletic Department staff to support student-athletes to promote mental health, wellbeing, and optimal performance. Dr. Sutcliffe earned her PsyD in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Sport and Performance Psychology from the University of Denver. She completed a pre-doctoral internship at the University of Denver Internship Consortium, DU Health and Counseling Center and a post-doctoral fellowship at Northwestern University Counseling and Psychological Services. She holds a Master of Science in Kinesiology, specializing in Sport and Exercise Psychology from the University of North Carolina- Greensboro, and a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and Education from Vassar College. Dr. Sutcliffe is a licensed psychologist with specialization in sport and performance psychology and athlete mental health. She is also a Certified Mental Performance Consultant through the Association of Applied Sport Psychology.

Pike Williams is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and the Director of Leadership Development at the Refuge Center. He enjoys working with adult individuals, couples, and families. He also leads groups on leadership, emotions and adult life stages at different times throughout the year. He has completed advanced training in EMDR, a proven approach for helping clients to process unresolved trauma and is certified in trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy (TFCBT). Pike has also studied and completed training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) an evidence-based approach that has been shown to be effective for treating a variety of conditions and their symptoms, such as depression and anxiety as well as improving general functioning and well-being. Pike recently completed extensive training in Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy, a modality to help clients explore and leverage their own spirituality in the counseling process. He is certified to administer the Prepare/Enrich Assessment, a valuable tool for pre-marital work, and is trained in Emotion Focused Therapy. He is a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and the American Association of Christian Counselors. Pike previously worked in the corporate world for over 30 years prior to joining the Refuge Center in 2013 and has served in a voluntary capacity as chaplain for the Predators for many years.

Chelsea Young is a mother of four, a passionate fitness and movement enthusiast, and a dedicated advocate for holistic wellness. Her journey in wellness is deeply rooted in her love for connecting with others and nourishing her friends and family through whole-food, home-cooked meals. Seven years ago, Chelsea and her family made the move to Nashville, where she has become a prominent figure in the fitness community, teaching various types of yoga, movement and breath work across the city. In late 2021, Chelsea and her family took a significant step towards a more sustainable lifestyle by purchasing land in Arrington, TN. Chelsea extends her wellness journey to a broader audience through her health and wellness website. Her overarching goal is to empower others to feel good both physically and mentally through the synergy of nourishment and movement. Chelsea finds immense joy in cultivating a strong community of like-minded individuals and spreading wellness practices like wildfire. Explore Chelsea's insights, recipes, and workshop details on her website, Chelseajyoung.com, and gain a glimpse into her farm life at YoungHarvestFarm.com.