Between Fine and Not Fine: Coaching Before the Crisis
Not every hard conversation is an emergency — but that doesn't mean it's nothing. Athletes often bring coaches into the grey zone first: a comment about drinking more than usual, a flat "I don't feel like myself," a joke that isn't really a joke. There's no protocol for this moment, and most coaches are left guessing — worried about overstepping, worried about missing something real.
This session is about that in-between space. We'll talk through what these disclosures actually sound like, how to respond without playing therapist, and where the line sits between staying present and looping in professional support. We'll dig into the specific grey zones around mental health and substance use, and talk honestly about coach liability, confidentiality, and burden.
You won't leave with a script. You'll leave with better instincts for the moment before the crisis — when it still matters most.
