What We Do: Mental Health
At Western Sports Foundation, we believe mental health is a vital component of overall well-being, especially for rodeo athletes who face unique pressures in their demanding sport.
The intense physical strain, high-stakes competition, and the on-the-go lifestyle of rodeo can lead to stress, anxiety, and burnout—not to mention the impact of potential brain injuries. Prioritizing mental health allows rodeo athletes to maintain focus, resilience, and peak performance while also fostering a balanced and fulfilling life outside the arena.
Photo by Kaycie Timm
That’s why we work with leading professionals who offer the best in mental health care to all rodeo athletes. As with all of WSF’s services, qualified athletes receive treatment at little to no cost, thanks to the support of our generous donors and partners. Read on to learn more about the mental health services WSF offers and the providers who serve our athletes!
Neurological Support
Our national network of sports neurologists provides post-concussive, brain trauma, and brain health evaluations to assist on your road to recovery.
Our network of providers offer post-concussive and brain health evaluations that help you find steps to recovery. Find guidance for daily challenges or support after an injury with help from WSF’s mental wellness providers.
Counseling Services
Our providers offer 24/7 confidential support to help athletes and their families work through mental roadblocks, handle crises, deal with anxiety, depression, or stress, and so much more. Whether dealing with grief, a life adjustment, substance abuse issues, relational conflicts, or simply struggling with the pressures of rodeo life, our network of providers help athletes navigate issues and learn tools to use in the future.
Sports Psychology
Thoughts can influence athletic performance, exercise, and physical activity. Our sports psychologists help athletes address factors that affect performance, such as performance anxiety and lack of confidence or motivation. Additionally, our providers can support athletes facing retirement as plan for and navigate the transition to life after rodeo.
Mental Performance
Like any high-intensity sport, rodeo requires a strong mental game. Our mental performance providers work with athletes on committing to a purpose, setting process-oriented goals, creating a positive identity, being mentally prepared, sustaining focus, overcoming adversity, competing with confidence, and more.
Meet the Team
WSF trusts only the best with our athletes’ care. Get to know each of our Mental Health providers below.
Dr. Anthony Alessi, Sports Neurologist
Dr. Alessi is a clinical professor of neurology and orthopedic surgery at the University of Connecticut where he serves as medical director of the UConn NeuroSport program. Dr. Alessi first became involved in sports medicine as an athletic trainer while attending Manhattan College. In 1995, he began an affiliation with the New York Yankees. Dr. Alessi has been active in promoting safety in boxing, MMA and football by consulting for various athletic commissions and the NFLPA.
Dr. John Beach, Sports/Performance Psychologist
Dr. Beach is a sport and performance psychologist who works with high school, collegiate and olympic/paralympic competitors, professional rodeo athletes, professional tour players and professional musicians. Dr. Beach is also a military veteran who served in the U.S. Army during Operation Desert Shield/Storm and Operation Joint Guard and then served as a U.S. Air Force Psychologist.
Dr. Tommy Fritze, Sports/Performance Psychologist
Dr. Fritze is a Sport/Performance Psychologist and Staff Psychologist at the University of Denver Health & Counseling Center, where he also operates as a liaison to the Sports Medicine team. He is a licensed psychologist and a member of the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), which allows telepsychology in most U.S. states. He is also a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC).
Anne Hayes, Crisis Management Specialist
In her capacity as security specialist, Ms. Hayes is at the forefront of developing new procedures for dealing with issues such as corruption, sexual harassment, violence, and anti-terrorism tactics. She has 30 years in business with a focus of helping athletes (MLB, NFL, AFL) reach their potential by being healthy, not only physically but mentally as well. With Ms. Hayes’ confidential guidance, addressing personal struggles (like addiction and family problems) will have a positive effect on an athlete’s performance and overall well-being.
Katie Hollingsworth, PCC, CPC, ELI-MP, Krave Coaching + Consulting
Katie is an ICF Certified Professional Coach specializing in Mental Performance and Leadership coaching. She has combined her lifetime of rodeo experience with her expertise in coaching to support competitive athletes at all levels using a proven methodology to develop techniques for optimizing performance through visualization, goal setting, overcoming negative self-talk, and really tap into their potential.
Dr. Caleb P. Peck, Neuropsychologist
Dr. Peck is a board-certified neuropsychologist and the Director at Clarus Health Alliance. In additional to clinical work, Dr. Peck was Director of the Fellowship in Clinical Neuropsychology and completed his Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology at Wheaton College in Illinois. Dr. Peck completed his predoctoral internship at the University of Kansas School of Medicine and his postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Florida Health Science Center.
Breaking the Stigma
Despite significant progress in the mental health space over the past few years, the cowboy culture that has historically promoted toughness can discourage Western athletes from seeking help when they need it most.
By providing access to mental health resources like those discussed here and encouraging open conversation around difficult topics, WSF strives to create a supportive environment for all rodeo athletes that champions both physical and emotional strength.
Click here to learn more or partner with us in supporting rodeo athletes today.