Athlete Mindset | Who You Are, Not What You Do with Kelsey O'Connor

The Sports Backdrop

In this powerful episode of Athlete Mindset, “Who You Are, Not What You Do,” host Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC, welcomes Kelsey O’Connor, a motivational speaker, former D1 student-athlete, and recent North Carolina State University social work graduate. Kelsey shares her inspiring journey of resilience and self-discovery following a career-ending head injury. Her story of overcoming adversity and redefining her identity resonated with millions when her commencement speech went viral, amassing over 40 million views across TikTok and many social media platforms.

This is the Athlete Mindset podcast, which explores mental health in sports. It is presented and produced by SportsE Media as part of the podcast network.

‘Who You Are, Not What You Do with Kelsey O’Connor’ Highlights:

• Kelsey’s background in softball and her journey to becoming a D1 athlete at NC State
• The traumatic head injury that abruptly ended her athletic career and its impact on her identity
• Kelsey’s struggle with recovery and the process of rebuilding her sense of self
• The importance of faith, family, and service in Kelsey’s life and recovery
• Kelsey’s viral commencement speech and its message about identity beyond performance
• The transition from athlete to advocate and motivational speaker
• Kelsey’s commitment to mental health advocacy for student-athletes and her pursuit of further education in social work and mental performance counseling
• The power of resilience and the importance of defining oneself beyond titles and achievements

About Kelsey O’Connor: Kelsey O’Connor is a motivational speaker and recent social work graduate from North Carolina State University. After recovering from a head injury that ended her D1 softball career, Kelsey found a new purpose in sharing her story and perspective with others. Her commencement speech, which went viral with over 40 million views, touched on themes of identity, resilience, and personal growth. Kelsey now travels the country, speaking to organizations and teams about building confidence, developing a strong identity, and improving team culture.

Kelsey’s mission: To help individuals and teams boost confidence, build strong identities, and improve team culture by sharing her unique perspective on identity and resilience. Through her talks, Kelsey aims to remind people that their worth is not defined by their achievements or titles, but by the qualities that truly matter.

Listen to Kelsey O’Connor’s podcast, Life Beyond Labels

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Athlete Mindset is part of the podcast network SportsE Media
SportsE Media is a sports media platform and production company that connects entrepreneurs, executives, athletes, and fans. It focuses on sports, entrepreneurship, mental health, and media.
https://sportsepreneur.com/

Athlete Mindset is also a part of QuietLoud Studios
QuietLoud Studios is the podcast network where reflection and voice come together.
https://quietloudstudios.com/

Athlete Mindset is produced by the team at KazCM
KazCM is a B2B content production company that builds assets and drives revenue by writing and talking. If you are looking to create a podcast, show, or written works, talk with the team at KazCM.
https://kazcm.com/

Connect with the guest, host, and podcast production team:

• Kelsey O’Connor: LinkedIn | TikTok | https://www.kelseyoconnor.net/
• Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC: LinkedIn | Instagram | website
• SportsE Media: LinkedIn | X

Related episodes to “Who You Are, Not What You Do with Kelsey O’Connor”:

• Kelsey O’Connor Turns Medically Retiring Into Motivational Speaking
• Angela Lee Pucci’s Fight Story | A Mental Health Revolution
• Keep Showing Up, Like Chloe

Music credit:

• Beat Provided By freebeats.io | Produced By White Hot

SportsE Media

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