85. Supporting Ourselves and Others with Sport Therapist Becky Clark

Madam Athlete podcast episode 85 - supporting ourselves and others with sports psychologist Becky Clark

 

 

Click here for a TRANSCRIPT for episode 85 – Supporting Ourselves and Others with Sport Therapist Becky Clark

Introducing Becky Clark

Today I’m talking to sport psychotherapist Dr. Becky Clark about supporting ourselves and others. 

Becky is a mental performance consultant, sports diplomat, and licensed psychotherapist with a private practice in New York City. She has consulted with Olympians, Paralympians, Deaflympians, and athletes of all levels in a number of sports throughout her career. As a therapist, she specializes in working with athletes with and without disabilities.

Her Career Journey

Becky was a multisport athlete growing up. In college she walked on to play basketball for Pat Summitt at the University of Tennessee. Becky experienced childhood trauma growing up that caused her to lose her hearing. Coach Summitt was the first person to encourage her to see a therapist. Initially, Becky didn’t want to go, but because Coach Summitt suggested it, Becky walked 10 miles to get it done.

Becky originally wanted to be a medical doctor working with children with trauma but a teacher told her she could never be a doctor because of her hearing loss. Becky overcame a lot of adversity to earn a Master’s in clinical social work from NYU. And then, she proved that teacher wrong, earning her PhD in kinesiology from Temple University, specializing in sport and exercise psychology.

During this time Becky also competed in the Deaflympics in volleyball, earning gold and silver medals.

Today, works as a therapist and mental performance consultant for athletes at the highest levels. And, Becky continues to stand on the international stage through her work in sports diplomacy.

Supporting Ourselves and Others

Over the years, Becky learned that part of supporting ourselves and others requires networks at every stage of life. She also acknowledges that sometimes, a person in a challenging situation needs just one person to advocate for them and help them realize the value in the work they’ve done. In her work as a therapist and a mental performance consultant, Becky welcomes the opportunity to be that one person, if that’s what her client needs.

Inside this episode:

  • Becky faced many challenges on her way to college, but she knew that her only way to higher education would be through sports. The obstacles didn’t stop once she was in college, however, and she continued to navigate setbacks.
  • It wasn’t until she began to study at NYU and Temple that she felt she was making progress towards her ultimate goal of helping others with their mental performance and mental health.
  • In an effort to never show weakness, has society taken mental toughness to the opposite extreme?
  • After college and while she was a graduate student, Becky won multiple medals competing in the Deaflympics in volleyball. She continues to support Deaf sports by working directly with Deaf athletes as a mental performance consultant and by helping to bring access to sport to all.
  • Becky’s work as a sports diplomat has allowed her to represent her country on a different international stage. She believes in the power of sports to unite countries and start conversations.
  • Becky talks about the importance of having a robust network of support at every stage of life as well as that one person you can lean on to sort out life’s challenges.
  • The athlete mentality can push people to achieve the unimaginable but also presents a challenge after the competition when the question on everyone’s mind is “what’s next?”
  • Becky advises everyone to accept their triumphs without dismissing them and take time to feel their emotions during big transitions.

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