Process Over Performance: Reducing the Pressure on Student Athletes with CJ Smith, LCMHA

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In today’s episode, Bryce Hamilton, LSCSW, asks athlete CJ Smith, LCMHA, all about the pressures of athletics on kids. CJ talks about how parents are their kids’ first leaders, teachers, and coaches. Kids learn from parents and the way in which parents react and respond to failure is what teaches their kids how to respond. In sports, there will always be failure along with successes and kids will go further when they know how to handle the pressures and failures in a healthy way. CJ highlights the importance of focusing on the mental health of the athlete which will in turn strengthen performance. He urges parents to see their kids as more than just an athlete and helps us understand the difference between healthy challenges and harmful pressure. 

Along with high pressure comes burnout. Bryce asks CJ about burnout and how it affects athletes long-term. From the outside it may look like athletes are happy, successful, and at the top of their performance, but with all of the pressures of society, the media, and lack of coping skills, athletes at all levels can reach burnout and lose their “joy for the game.” CJ suggests that parents tune in to their kids and ask how they are doing, take their answers seriously, and be supportive. Kids are more than just their athletic ability and they need to know it’s ok to fail and they are loved regardless of performance.

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CJ Smith is a former Division I football player from Jacksonville, Florida. He played at both the University of Minnesota and Campbell University. After his playing career, he went on to earn his Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. CJ is passionate about serving student-athletes and helping bridge the gap between performance and mental health, with a focus on supporting athletes in their identity, mindset, and overall well-being on and off the field. 

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