Session 9 --- The Scariest Moments in Sports: The Mental Toll

In this week’s episode of ExpandAbilities MEETS, Alex and Rob take a deep dive into one of the most jarring and emotionally challenging experiences in sports: witnessing traumatic injuries that take place in athletics. From severe collisions to broken limbs, seizures, and sudden collapses, athletes often see moments that stay with them long after the game ends.

This episode explores what happens mentally and emotionally when players witness these events — the fear, the shock, the anxiety, and the thoughts that athletes rarely verbalize. Alex and Rob discuss how these moments can trigger self-doubt, hesitation in play, or a heightened awareness of vulnerability, even in athletes who weren’t directly injured.

They also talk about the immediate and long-term psychological responses athletes may face, how teammates can support one another, and what coaches and adults can do to create space for processing these experiences. By acknowledging the emotional weight behind these moments, this episode aims to shed light on an often-overlooked aspect of sports: the mental recovery that goes far beyond physical rehab.

Tune in to this powerful conversation on ExpandAbilities MEETS.