In the world of competitive sports, “toughing it out” is often worn like a badge of honor. Athletes are trained from a young age to push through physical pain, silence their doubts, and tie their entire self-worth to the scoreboard. But what happens when the game ends, the injury won’t heal, or the pressure to perform becomes paralyzing?
At Self Care Impact, we believe that high-achievers deserve a therapist who speaks their language. That is why we are so excited to highlight our new therapist, Jenna Gathright. Jenna isn’t just a dual-licensed clinician; she is a former collegiate volleyball player who brings what she calls the “Athlete’s Edge” to her therapeutic practice.
Why Lived Experience Matters in Sports Therapy
There is a specific kind of “knowing” that comes from years of 5:00 AM practices, the roar of a crowd, and the heavy silence of a locker room after a loss. Jenna’s authority is built on this lived experience.
For many, sports aren’t just a hobby—they are a primary identity. When you work with Jenna, you don’t have to spend time explaining the “why” behind your drive or the guilt you feel for taking a rest day; she already gets it. She uses this unique perspective to support athletes navigating the three most common “invisible” hurdles in sports:
1. High-Pressure Performance & The Nervous System
The human brain is a powerful tool, but in high-stakes moments, it can sometimes work against us. The nervous system doesn’t always distinguish between a championship-winning point and a life-threatening situation. When an athlete feels “choked” or “frozen,” they are often experiencing a physiological survival response.
Jenna utilizes Polyvagal-Informed Practice to help athletes understand their “State of Being”:
- The Sympathetic State: This is the “Fight or Flight” energy needed for a game, but if it’s too high, it leads to panic.
- The Dorsal Vagal State: This is “Shut Down” mode, where an athlete feels heavy, unmotivated, or disconnected.
By teaching athletes how to regulate their nervous systems using DBT skills and grounding techniques, Jenna helps them stay in the “Ventral Vagal” state—where they are calm, focused, and ready to perform from a place of groundedness rather than frantic anxiety.
2. Identity Loss: Who Am I Without the Jersey?
One of the hardest transitions in a person’s life is the moment the jersey comes off for the last time. Whether due to graduation, “aging out,” or a career-ending injury, losing the “athlete” label can feel like a death.
Jenna specializes in helping young adults navigate this “Identity Foreclosure.” Using Internal Family Systems (IFS), or “Parts-Work,” she helps clients realize that the “Athlete Part” is just one part of a complex, valuable person. She guides them in discovering who they are when they aren’t being measured by stats, speed, or wins.
3. The Mental Toll of Injury Recovery
An injury isn’t just a physical setback; it’s a psychological trauma. Being sidelined can lead to depression, isolation, and a deep fear of re-injury that persists even after a doctor clears you to play.
Jenna provides a safe space to process the frustration and somatic tension that come with being “broken.” Her trauma-informed approach, which includes EMDR and somatic techniques, helps athletes heal the “body-memory” of the injury. This ensures that when they return to the court or field, they aren’t carrying the mental weight of the trauma with them.
The “Athlete’s Edge” Toolkit: 3 Tips for High-Achievers
Jenna believes that mental health is just as trainable as physical strength. Here are three practical shifts she often recommends to her clients:
- Audit Your Internal Dialogue: Is your “inner coach” a motivator or a bully? If you wouldn’t let a coach speak to you the way you speak to yourself after a mistake, it’s time to reframe that narrative.
- Master the “Reset Breath”: Use a simple physiological sigh (two short inhales through the nose, one long exhale through the mouth) to signal to your nervous system that you are safe, especially during high-stress transitions.
- Diversify Your Joy: Find one hobby or activity that has nothing to do with competition. For Jenna, this meant relearning how to play beach volleyball “just for fun” or getting lost in a good book.
From Competition to Connection
Today, you can find Jenna exploring the trails of the Colorado Front Range or attempting a recipe that Instagram made look way easier than it actually is. Her journey from the high-pressure world of Michigan and Alabama athletics to the holistic healing space of Colorado has given her a unique lens on what it means to live a balanced life.
As Jenna says:
“I believe therapy is about more than just managing symptoms; it’s about reconnecting with your body’s wisdom and making sense of your story. Whether you are navigating the high-pressure world of athletics or the weight of being the ‘eldest daughter,’ I am here to help you move from simply ‘going through the motions’ to living a life that feels aligned and connected.”
Ready to Find Your Edge?
If you are an athlete (current or former), a high-achiever, or a young adult feeling the weight of performance pressure, Jenna Gathright is currently accepting new clients in Lakewood, CO, and via online therapy throughout the state.
Click here to view Jenna’s full profile and schedule your initial consultation.
