Who Am I Without the Game? From Athlete to Therapist with Erica Curry

About this episode

Mikki O’Neal interviews Erica Curry about the transition from athlete to therapist and the impact of mental health on identity beyond sports.

In this episode of the PAS podcast, host Mikki O’Neal sits down with Erica Curry, a licensed therapist and former Division I athlete, to explore the often-overlooked side of the athletic journey, mental health and identity beyond sport. Erica shares her story of transitioning from gymnastics to diving after a career-ending injury and how that experience shaped her path toward becoming a therapist for athletes, performers, and high achievers. Together, they unpack topics like burnout, emotional regulation, values alignment, and coping strategies that help athletes navigate both performance pressure and life after the final whistle. This episode is full of insight, honesty, and takeaways for anyone who’s ever tied their identity to their sport.

People in this episode

Host: Mikki O’Neal

Guest: Erica Curry

Topics covered

• mental health
• identity
• athletics
• burnout
• emotional regulation
• coping strategies

Keywords

• athlete transition
• performance pressure
• life after sports

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