Inside the Mind of the Male Athlete: Q&A with Premier Sports Psychology’s Dr. Matthew Mikesell
Male athletes face unique mental health challenges, including anxiety, stress, and societal pressures around masculinity. Seeking help is often seen as a weakness, but Dr. Mikesell emphasizes the importance of peer support and reframing mental health as a strength.
At PlayersOnly, we know that peak performance isn’t just physical—it’s deeply mental. And for male athletes in particular, the mental game comes with a unique set of pressures, expectations, and stigmas. To dig deeper into these challenges, we spoke with Dr. Matthew Mikesell, PhD, CMPC, a licensed psychologist and Certified Mental Performance Consultant at Premier Sport Psychology. Dr. Mikesell brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to the conversation. A former two-sport collegiate athlete and two-time team captain, he now works with athletes across all levels—from high school competitors to elite performers—to build confidence, emotional resilience, and a healthier approach to mental performance. His work blends science-backed strategies with authentic, individualized support to help athletes thrive both on and off the field.
In this Q&A, Dr. Mikesell breaks down the most common mental health struggles male athletes face and offers perspective on how we can reframe toughness, connection, and performance in sports today.
Q+A with Dr. Matthew Mikesell, Premier Sport Psychology
What are the most common mental health challenges male athletes face at the elite or collegiate level?
Dr. Mikesell: Male athletes often experience many of the same mental health challenges as the general population—especially anxiety and mood disorders—but in a much higher-pressure environment. Contributing factors include:
- Chronic stress and overtraining
- Injuries that disrupt personal identity and long-term goals
- Major life transitions like being benched, losing a scholarship, or retiring from sport
- Public scrutiny and rigid expectations around masculinity
How does the pressure to appear “mentally tough” impact men’s willingness to seek help?
Dr. Mikesell: While we’ve seen progress, this is still a significant challenge. Male athletes are often taught—explicitly or implicitly—to “tough it out,” avoid showing vulnerability, and suppress emotion. This leads to:
- Reluctance to seek help
- Internalized stigma
- Emotional isolation
In your work, how do you balance improving performance with protecting mental health?
Dr. Mikesell: Performance and mental health aren’t separate buckets—they’re interwoven.
In practice, it’s about meeting athletes where they are. We set performance goals, but we also show up for whatever “life” throws their way. That’s the benefit of having dual-credentialed providers: we’re trained to handle both the mental performance side and the deeper emotional needs when they arise. At Premier Sport Psychology, we also utilized our proprietary assessments to help identify areas where we can have the biggest impact both performance and mental health.
What’s one mindset shift you recommend for men who feel like asking for help is weakness?
Dr. Mikesell: Flip the script. Think of how you approach a strength coach—you reach out because you want to improve. It’s no different with mental performance or mental health support. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a signal of self-awareness and strength. The best athletes in the world know they need a team around them. This is just another kind of coach.
How does traditional masculinity affect how men cope with stress or failure in sports?
Dr. Mikesell: Traditional masculinity—centered around ideals like toughness, emotional control, and dominance—can push athletes toward unhealthy coping strategies. While some of these traits may drive competitiveness, they often lead to:
- Suppressed emotions
- Avoidance of help-seeking
- Linking self-worth to achievement
- Aggression as a go-to response
- Fear of losing status or appearing “weak”
What role does peer support play in male athletes opening up?
Dr. Mikesell: Peer support is one of the most powerful forces we have. Athletes are wired for connection—they train together, compete together, and often live together. When one teammate opens up, it gives others permission to do the same.
Peer support helps:
- Normalize emotional struggles
- Create informal check-ins
- Encourage professional help-seeking
- Build a culture of trust and accountability
What are subtle signs that a male teammate might be struggling mentally, even if they seem “fine”?
Dr. Mikesell: You know your teammates. You know their energy, their humor, their rhythms. When that shifts—if someone seems quieter, more irritable, or just “not themselves”—that’s your cue.
You don’t need to diagnose or fix it. But you do have the power to connect. A simple, “Hey, I’ve noticed you’ve been off lately—everything okay?” can be a lifeline.
What daily or weekly habits do you recommend to male athletes to build mental resilience?
Dr. Mikesell: Just like physical strength, mental strength is built through consistency. Some of the best habits include:
- Self-reflective practices like mindfulness or gratitude journaling
- Breathwork or intentional pause routines
- Regular mental skills training (visualization, reframing, etc.)
- Sleep, nutrition, and recovery practices that support cognitive and emotional function
What’s the difference between performance anxiety and a deeper mental health issue like depression or burnout?
Dr. Mikesell: This distinction matters.
- Performance anxiety is usually a short-term spike in stress tied to competition or expectations.
- Depression or burnout show up more globally: low mood, lack of motivation, changes in sleep or appetite, and feeling overwhelmed even outside of sport.
If you had a room full of young male athletes in front of you, what’s one message you’d leave them with?
Dr. Mikesell: “Reach out. Connect.”
Whether it’s about a struggle or a desire to improve your mental edge, you don’t have to go it alone. There are people and places—like Premier—that exist to support you. Real strength is found in relationships, reflection, and reaching beyond the surface.
Conclusion
Mental strength isn’t about never struggling—it’s about knowing when to lean in, when to let go, and when to ask for help. As Dr. Mikesell reminds us, “You absolutely have the power to connect.”
If you’re a male athlete carrying silent pressure, know this: you’re not alone. And more importantly, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Let this be your reminder that real toughness includes taking care of your mental health—because your game, your growth, and your well-being all depend on it.
