Player Development, Reinvented
Problem.
There is a huge gap in player development plaguing professional sports.
Teams currently minimize or entirely overlook the importance of developing the whole person behind each athlete, and instead choose to prioritize and overuse traditional development methods like physical training which is proven to cause imbalance and tunnel vision.
This narrow focus has created an epidemic of burnout, injuries, and troubling behavior across leagues. We read headlines confirming this every single day—domestic violence, substance abuse, and mood disorders are rampant—and statistically, most athletes will report some kind of detrimental physical injury during their career that prevents them from competing.
Current player development also ignores the gravity of every athlete’s inevitable transition out of their sport. Fewer than 2% of NCAA student-athletes go on to be professional athletes, and for those who do, the average playing career is under 5 years—many of which end involuntarily due to injury.
Athletes who are not prepared for what’s next are failed by their teams, coaches, and organizations, and the consequences are steep. Retired athletes face extreme depression and anxiety and often resort to heavy substance abuse and overspending. It’s estimated that 78% of professional athletes go broke after 3 years of retirement, and 45% suffer from anxiety and depression after transitioning. Families and entire communities suffer the fallout.
“I can’t psychologically accept a life without tennis. I did not have a gradual transition to the after, I did not prepare, I have no idea what the other athletes did to live this process peacefully. I was No. 3 in the world, then suddenly I broke my knees and here I am, with nothing.”
Solution.
The most effective way to develop the entire person behind each athlete is regular mindfulness programming.
Mindfulness programming like yoga and meditation drastically cuts down both physical and mental injuries and gives athletes the power to operate in the present moment at full capacity. This self-awareness makes athletes’ bodies and minds more adaptable and resilient, especially in the face of adversity and public scrutiny. They become more immersed and reliable on the field/court and off.
Mindful athletes also sleep better, recover faster, retain more information, perform with more joy and ease, and make healthier decisions in all areas of their lives. Teamwork, coachability, and community engagement skyrocket while overall tension plummets. When tension goes down, so do burnout and injuries.
Mindfulness programming also addresses the issue of transitioning, whether that’s to a different position/team or out of the sport entirely. Yoga and meditation are proven to reduce mood disorders like depression and anxiety, and they help athletes zoom out and see a bigger picture while also staying focused on their immediate goals within the sport. This removes the "athlete" box and encourages players to see themselves as dimensional people with many talents, passions, and gifts. This is a win-win and should be standard across all collegiate and professional leagues.
Athletes: Beware of coaches and organizations that prioritize winning over your wellbeing. They’ve got it backward. Not just because what they’re doing is the less humane way, but because player wellbeing actually yields higher performance.
“The hardest thing, after all the work and all the time spent on training and technique, is just being fully present in the moment.”
Be the change.
No edge, no growth.
Drew’s teaching methodology is every athlete’s competitive advantage.
Next level mindfulness.
Drew’s programming does not stop on the yoga mat. She challenges athletes to expand their awareness and track their progress in all four prana dimensions: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.