Mind Game

A deep look into how even the best athletes struggle with and persevere through mental illness.

Julie Kliegman has been copy chief at Sports Illustrated, copy editor at The Ringer, weekend editor at The Week, and news fellow at BuzzFeed. Their writing has appeared in Sports Illustrated, the Washington Post, The Ringer, Vulture, BuzzFeed, Vox, The Verge, Bustle, Washington Monthly, The Week, and more. Kliegman is a frequent guest on radio and podcasts. They live in Queens, New York.

Foreword Introduction: Learning From Our Idols PART I: Eyes on the Prize: How Mental Performance Shapes Athletes Chapter 1: Mentally Tough: The Stereotypes Athletes Fight Chapter 2: Looking Back: A History of Sport Psychology Chapter 3: Science and Practice: What Mental Performance Coaches Actually Do PART II: The Megaphone: Speaking Out About Mental Illness Chapter 4: The Firsts: Trailblazers Who Came Forward Chapter 5: Open the Floodgates: More Athletes Join the Cause Chapter 6: The Greats Chime In: Anxiety and Depression Amid a Pandemic Chapter 7: On Campus: The Push for Better Care at Colleges PART III: The Diagnosis: Coping With What You've Got Chapter 8: Substance Use: From Alcohol and Cannabis to Psychedelics Chapter 9: Body Image: Eating Disorders in Professional Athletes Chapter 10: Life Out of the Game: Injury, Absence, and Retirement Conclusion: So What's Next? Acknowledgements Bibliography About the Author