184. How Improving Athletes’ Mental Health + Team Culture Benefits Performance with Lindsey LeMay Majkrzak

This episode of the Female Athlete Nutrition podcast is with Head Lacrosse Coach at Northern Michigan University, Lindsey LeMay Majkrzak. Lindsey shares her athletic background, participating in both NCAA Division I lacrosse and rowing. Her own mental health struggles in college prematurely ended Linsey’s own playing career, but not her love for the sport of lacrosse. Aged 24, Lindsey took on the Head Coach role at Northern Michigan, and has steadily guided her women’s lacrosse team to more and more success. We highlight the importance of women coaches, as well as ways Lindsey has built a healthy and thriving culture through intentional recruiting, emotional wellbeing, and not overemphasizing competitiveness at the cost of enjoying lacrosse. Lindsey talks about how prioritizing positive memories and the mental health of her athletes has benefited their performances and overall college experience.  Lindsey and I discuss strategies to enhance student athletes’ mental health on college campuses, and the resources available, including The Hidden Opponent and Morgan’s Message. We also talk about how Lindsey promotes a positive nutrition culture among her team, leaning on strength and conditioning staff, providing athletes’ with multiple food options when traveling, and not commenting on athletes’ plates or choices. And Melissa also answers our end of the podcast questions. TOPIC TIMESTAMPS: 6:40 Lindsey’s athletics and mental health background: competing at the NCAA D1 level in both lacrosse and rowing  13:50 Switching to collegiate rowing  17:20 Lindsey’s path to coaching lacrosse 23:15 Learning from mentors; coaching with athletes’ mental health and happiness in mind 26:10 Keys to athletic success for female athletes: prioritizing culture and emotional well-being 29:15 Women in sports as coaches and athletes  31:50 Creating a positive team culture: combining positive experiences with competitive mindsets; recruiting the “right” athletes 39:45 Mental health resources on college campuses/ coach team mental health activities  46:00 How improving athletes’ mental health improves performance 51:40 Promoting a positive nutrition culture in sports teams 1:00:40 End of the podcast questions  Read Lindsey’s Hidden Opponent article: Setting the Standard: Lindsey LeMay, Northern Michigan University  Check out the Hidden Opponent here and our previous episodes with Hidden Opponent members: 119: Improving Athlete Mental Health & Toxic Team Culture with Leeann Passaro 118: Team USA Swimmer's Battle With Anorexia + Medical Retirement with Eva Merrell 114: Student-Athlete Mental Health Matters! With Arla Davis Follow your host, Lindsey Cortes, @female.athlete.nutrition  Natural Cycles: Check out Natural Cycles here and 20% off subscription plus free thermometer! Our NEW Website is NOW LIVE! Check it out here: https://www.femaleathletenutritionpodcast.com/  Support the podcast with a financial contribution: https://www.patreon.com/femaleathletenutrition   THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: Practice Better Click the link below to view plans and get a 14-day free trial. Then use the code RISEUP20 for 20% off your first 4 months: https://practicebetter.grsm.io/runp  Previnex: https://www.previnex.com/ use code RISEUP for 15% off at checkout InsideTracker: www.insidetracker.com use code LINDSEYCPRO25 for 25% off the entire store  THIS PODCAST IS ALSO SUPPORTED BY: Orgain, head to www.orgain.com and use the code RISEUP30 for 30% off your first order. Repeat customers can use the code OA2203 for 25% off future orders. Practice Better Click the link below to view plans and get a 14-day free trial. Then use the code RISEUP20 for 20% off your first 4 months: https://practicebetter.grsm.io/runp  Jen & Keri: https://jenandkeri.com/ use code RISEUP10 for $10 off your order