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Blindsided — Health & Fitness
Blindsided

Plan your work and work your plan. For many athletes, words like these are scripture — permanent signposts lining the long road to success. The very act of pursuing a career in sports often gives a sense of control, a sense of safety. Just stick to the plan. Good things will follow.

That is, until life happens. The kind of life that happens while you’re making other plans. Devastating setbacks. Dark thoughts. Debilitating breakdowns. Mental health conditions that force an athlete to ditch their well laid plans and ask, “What’s my next play?”

Hosted by former National Hockey League goaltender Corey Hirsch and psychiatrist Dr. Diane McIntosh, Blindsided allows professional athletes to open up about mental health. The podcast lets listeners hear moments when mental health became the athlete’s most important focus.

Blindsided then dives in deeper. It gets clinical. And it allows listeners to leave with a deeper understanding of mental health conditions that all people face. It then shows how athletes, in particular, face them down.

Welcome to Blindsided. Mental health. Sports. Life.

Latest Episodes:

Darius Miles Dec 08, 2022

Show notes

With two taps to the head, former NBA star Darius Miles left his stamp on the game of basketball forever. As one of the few players to go straight to the league from high school, to hoops fans, D-Miles is a legend, whose contributions to the culture defined a generation. Toward the end of his NBA career, though, life off the court began to take a serious toll on Miles. He lost his grandfather, his grandmother and ultimately his mother in 2013. She was his No. 1 supporter, and her death really broke him down. The weight of his experiences growing up in poverty, surrounded by violence, caught up with him. Adding to his grief, he struggled with injuries on the court and unexpected financial hardship. Listen in to Darius’s story and hear how he built the castle back up.

*This episode contains content and topics that may be difficult for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. There are many support services that are here to help. Resources can be found at: Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) 240-485-1001

About Our Hosts:

Former NHL goaltender Corey Hirsch and psychiatrist Dr. Diane McIntosh team up on Blindsided to help professional athletes to open up about mental health. The podcast lets listeners hear about the moments when mental health became the athlete’s most important focus.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke Prokop Dec 01, 2022

Show notes

In 2021, Nashville Predators prospect Luke Prokop came out as gay in a social media post, making him the first player under contract to an NHL team to do so. His announcement was received positively by family, friends, and teammates. But acceptance wasn’t a given. The year leading up to his announcement, Luke struggled under the immense pressure of his secret. In the end, he had a choice to make about his mental health, and he decided he had to be his true self, no matter the costs. On this episode, hear about how Luke now plays with a new freedom, knowing that he can be who he is — on and off the ice.

This episode contains content and topics that may be difficult for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

About Our Hosts:

Former NHL goaltender Corey Hirsch and psychiatrist Dr. Diane McIntosh team up on Blindsided to help professional athletes to open up about mental health. The podcast lets listeners hear about the moments when mental health became the athlete’s most important focus.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beth King Nov 10, 2022

Show notes

When she was growing up, sports was the one place where Beth King felt in control. She played soccer at the collegiate level, but ultimately joined the military for her career. Deployed to Afghanistan, in 2011 she was riding in a helicopter that was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, leaving her with severe injuries to her spine and brain. A few months after the accident, Beth began to experience symptoms of PTSD and depression. Through the Wounded Warrior Project, Beth was able to turn her longtime passion for sports into a way to cope with her trauma. Tune in to her more of U.S. Army Veteran Beth King's journey.

This episode contains content and topics that may be difficult for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

Visit Wounded Warrior Project for more information about their adaptive sports programs and other ways they offer support to military members.

About Our Hosts:

Former NHL goaltender Corey Hirsch and psychiatrist Dr. Diane McIntosh team up on Blindsided to help professional athletes to open up about mental health. The podcast lets listeners hear about the moments when mental health became the athlete’s most important focus.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kaillie Humphries Nov 03, 2022

Show notes

Kaillie Humphries grew up in Calgary, Alberta, where the legacy of the 1988 Olympics brought her up close and personal to the sport of bobsledding. She dreamed of becoming an Olympian and would go on to win gold medals at the 2010 Vancouver and 2014 Sochi Games. She was living out her dream … or so it seemed. Things changed under a new coach, and the hostile environment took an extreme toll on her mental health. In August 2018, Kaillie filed a harassment complaint with Bobsleigh Canada against her head coach for verbal and mental abuse. An investigation ensued and ultimately forced Kaillie to leave Team Canada, but the courage she found to speak out about this abusive scenario has given her a new outlook on life and a new opportunity, with Team USA, to continue her bobsled career.

*This episode contains content and topics that may be difficult for some listeners. Please check the show notes for more information. Listener discretion is advised.*

About Our Hosts:

Former NHL goaltender Corey Hirsch and psychiatrist Dr. Diane McIntosh team up on Blindsided to help professional athletes to open up about mental health. The podcast lets listeners hear about the moments when mental health became the athlete’s most important focus.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georges Laraque Oct 27, 2022

Show notes

Before Georges Laraque was a sports commentator and a political leader, he was a notorious enforcer in the NHL. He played that role well, but the truth is that he hated fighting. His childhood had been marked by his father’s abuse and by racism he experienced on the ice as he rose through the ranks in junior hockey. There was no place to seek refuge. For a long time, the enforcer’s battles off the ice were like a weight on his chest. His depression and anxiety led him to seek professional help, and through therapy Georges was finally able to identify the sources of his troubles and to make peace with his past.

*This episode contains content and topics that may be difficult for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. There are many support services that are here to help. Resources can be found at The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (1-800-273-8255 or text TALK to 741741).

About Our Hosts:

Former National Hockey League goaltender Corey Hirsch and psychiatrist Dr. Diane McIntosh team up on Blindsided to allow professional athletes to open up about mental health. The podcast lets listeners hear moments when mental health became the athlete’s most important focus.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Corey Hirsch Oct 13, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of Blindsided, Dr. Diane asks Corey the questions. We learn about the complexities of OCD, what life was like before his diagnosis, and how difficult finding the right help was. For a long time, Corey was a prisoner of his own mind. Now, the chains have lifted and he’s found a meaningful path forward in his life living with OCD and ADHD. The hosts discuss why they decided to start this podcast and what they hope to give you, the listener. We thank Corey for his continued openness on these difficult subjects.

*This episode contains content and topics that may be difficult for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. There are many support services that are here to help. Resources can be found at the International OCD Foundation and The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (1-800-273-8255 or text TALK to 741741).

This week, Corey released a book about his struggle with mental illness titled, The Save of My Life: My Journey Out of the Dark. You can purchase this book on Amazon.

About Our Hosts:

Former NHL goaltender Corey Hirsch and psychiatrist Dr. Diane McIntosh team up on Blindsided to help professional athletes to open up about mental health. The podcast lets listeners hear about the moments when mental health became the athlete’s most important focus.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cody Ware Oct 06, 2022

Show notes

For most of his racing career, Cody Ware kept his trauma hidden within the narrow confines of the race track. Behind the wheel of his Nurtec ODT Ford Mustang, he was focused and exhilarated, chasing his next checkered flag. But away from the track, he was struggling day to day. Back in high school, Cody was the victim of severe bullying, which escalated to a violent attack that left him with physical injuries and mental trauma. The effects of this trauma were manifested in depression and anxiety that reached a tipping point in 2017. Cody decided then to get the help he needed and chose to share his story with the world in order to heal and to raise mental health awareness in motorsports.

*This episode contains content and topics that may be difficult for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. There are many support services that are here to help. Resources can be found at The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (1-800-273-8255 or text TALK to 741741) or StopBullying.gov for resources to protect yourself, your child, or someone you may know who is experiencing bullying.

About Our Hosts:

Former National Hockey League goaltender Corey Hirsch and psychiatrist Dr. Diane McIntosh team up on Blindsided to allow professional athletes to open up about mental health. The podcast lets listeners hear moments when mental health became the athlete’s most important focus.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everson Griffen Sep 29, 2022

Show notes

Everson Griffen was an energetic force on the Vikings defensive line for 10 years, wreaking havoc against offensive linemen and getting to the ball any way he could. But off the field, he’d been running from something for a long time. Everson remembers struggling with his mental health since his days in college, knowing that something was wrong, but never understanding what it was. After the death of his mother, his uneasiness increased. Two manic episodes, one in 2018 at a hotel, and another in 2021 at his home, led Everson to the discovery that he has bipolar disorder. After the second incident, he shared his diagnosis with the world in the name of mental health awareness. Corey and Dr. McIntosh talk to Everson about how he deals with his bipolar, and why the stigma associated with it needs to change.

*This episode contains content and topics that may be difficult for some listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. There are many support services that are here to help. Resources can be found at Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. There is always a path ahead.

About Our Hosts:

Former NHL goaltender Corey Hirsch and psychiatrist Dr. Diane McIntosh team up on Blindsided to help professional athletes to open up about mental health. The podcast lets listeners hear about the moments when mental health became the athlete’s most important focus.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eddie Kingston Sep 22, 2022

Show notes

To Eddie Kingston, the macho, no-B.S. character he plays as a pro wrestler is actually no character at all — it’s him, at 17 years old. Half-Puerto Rican and half-Irish, Eddie was a target of racism at school, and building a reputation as a neighborhood tough guy was how he dealt with it. Back then, the only thing that could quiet the noise was popping in a VHS tape and watching the wrestling greats battle it out on TV while dreaming of being in the ring. In 2020, Eddie signed with AEW, getting his big break after hustling on the independent circuit for 18 years. But those years on the road took a mental and physical toll. He drank a lot, struggled with depression and anxiety and lost one of his closest friends to suicide. Therapy helped Eddie unpack the roots of his emotions. Now, he is an advocate for speaking out about mental health and getting help early. Living with depression is an everyday battle, and to Eddie, opening up about his struggles is just the beginning.

*This episode contains content and topics that may be difficult for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. There are many support services that are here to help. Resources can be found at The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (1-800-273-8255 or text TALK to 741741).

About Our Hosts:

Former National Hockey League goaltender Corey Hirsch and psychiatrist Dr. Diane McIntosh team up on Blindsided to allow professional athletes to open up about mental health. The podcast lets listeners hear moments when mental health became the athlete’s most important focus.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sheldon Kennedy Sep 15, 2022

Show notes

Sheldon Kennedy never dreamed of being a 20-year-old kid who would be in and out of psych wards. He never dreamed of being in a hospital on suicide watch, and he never dreamed of going through drug and alcohol treatment eight times. But that became his reality. From a young age, Sheldon was sexually abused by his junior hockey coach, Graham James, a prominent figure in his hockey community. And for 11 years, Sheldon struggled in silence — the first five while the abuse was going on, and the following six during which still no one else knew the truth about what had happened to him. As Sheldon rose through the ranks of professional hockey, the weight of his secret drove him down some dark paths. It wasn’t until 1996, when he came forward with what had happened to him, that Sheldon could finally see a future for himself as a husband and a father. Still, looking back on his NHL career is complicated because there are feelings of shame and guilt around who he was. What he does take pride in is the fact that he can be happy now – scars and all. In 2014, Sheldon was honored with the Order of Canada, the nation’s highest civilian ranking. And to him, that should be a symbol of hope for anyone struggling to become the person they did dream of becoming.

*This episode contains content and topics that may be difficult for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. There are many support services that are here to help. Resources can be found at The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (1-800-273-8255 or text TALK to 741741).

Visit Luna Child and Youth Advocacy Centre or National Children’s Advocacy Center for resources to help those who have suffered childhood sexual abuse.

You can check out Sheldon’s book, Why I Didn't Say Anything, on Amazon to learn more of his story.

About Our Hosts:

Former National Hockey League goaltender Corey Hirsch and psychiatrist Dr. Diane McIntosh team up on Blindsided to allow professional athletes to open up about mental health. The podcast lets listeners hear moments when mental health became the athlete’s most important focus.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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