Mental Awareness Month: More Than Your Sport

Mental Awareness is something that should be prioritized not only in tennis, but in every sport, everywhere! This month we interviewed More Than Your Sport founder Angelica Terrel. More Than Your Sport was founded in late 2022 when Angelica was discovering ways to combine her passion for not only mental health awareness, but also advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community. Angelica is currently an assistant softball coach at Academy of Art University and has experience working with athletes from ages 5 to 45 years old through private lessons with teams overseas in Sweden. It is through her experience that she found out her passion was much more deeper than sports. 

1. How did you start getting involved with sports?

From a very young age I knew I wanted to go play softball in college and eventually go on to coach. For a long time my entire identity was softball itself and that’s how I felt like people knew me. It took me a long time to figure out that I was meant to be a part of the game for more reasons than just the wins and losses. I was meant to be in this game to build connections and help make an impact on young athletes' lives so they understand their value is not defined by their accomplishments through sport.

2. For those who might not know, what is “More Than Your Sport”?

More Than Your Sport is about opening up the conversation about mental health awareness and identity in sport. It is a clothing brand that shares the message that your value does not directly correlate to your athletic accomplishments. It highlights the person you are rather than just focusing on the athlete you are.

3. What drew you to being an advocate for mental health in sports?

I personally have struggled with my mental health and have tied my entire identity to the game of softball. For a long time I didn’t know who I was outside of the sport…and it took me going to therapy and learning more about the importance of mental health awareness to light a fire inside of me that this is what I was meant to do. I don’t want athletes to struggle with the same identity issues I did. 

4. How do you help your current athletes with their mental health? 

I currently help my athletes by first and foremost providing a safe space for them to feel seen and heard. I want to always provide that safe space so they feel comfortable sharing with me. Not only that but continuously checking in with them throughout the season about non softball related things, such as academics, their overall wellbeing and health. Along with that, I find it important that the verbiage I use while coaching is inclusive and separates their performance from their identity. 

5. What made you want to start “More Than Your Sport”?

I was at a point in my coaching career where I realized I needed to do more than just be a ‘coach.’ I wanted to give more to my athletes and find a way to reach outside of softball and my community. I wanted to find a way to connect to athletes all over the country at every level and in any sport because this topic is so important. I knew I needed to get this message out, so I figured apparel was the best way to do that to start. Eventually I want MTYS to grow into something more than that and I want to help build a community where there are resources and events that connect other like minded athletes.