Oftentimes in sports, athletes forget to focus on their mental health. They are so focused on physical strength that they forget to keep their minds strong in order to play to the best of their ability. Maria Averbeck is the Viterbo women’s softball team mental toughness coach. Averbeck’s role as a mental toughness coach involves building the confidence of her players mentally and helping them see things from a different perspective. “My role is to strengthen the mental side of the game regardless of what sport it is I’m working with. It’s like conditioning for your brain,” said Averback.
Averback emphasizes that it is important we do not get mental health coaching and therapy mixed up despite the similarities. Therapy focuses on what exactly is happening in someone’s life and how they can come back from it. Averback explains the difference between the two: “Therapy deals with what is going on and how to cope with mental health concerns whereas I help athletes specifically to overcome mental blocks and hurdles in their performance in their sport.” Averback gives further understanding on how mental health coaching is just as important as therapy or counseling.
While helping athletes push through inconveniences and obstacles, Averback explains that having the mental strength to drive forward is what is most important, which Averback helps her athletes with. She takes the time to help her players gain confidence, resilience, and a sense of immunity with her coaching skills. Working herself to the bone, Averback uses her own techniques to allow herself to continue this important and impactful role. “A big thing I use is music. I listen to decompress and get myself hype. I also try to carve out time for myself when I begin to feel burnt out–simple things like doing my laundry or cleaning my room help put my mind at ease.”
Self-care is another important factor that Averback emphasizes. She embodies for athletes the importance of putting one’s health first before the team. Athletes face tough challenges battling good mental health with physical strength, mechanics, and fundamentals. People such as Averback work to help them find that balance.
