OBA Superpowers

It’s easy to get lost in the challenges.

Don’t miss Own Beat Athletes’ many, many strengths.

Just to name a few . . .

 
 

* ADHD athletes can take in the whole court or field at once – they see everything.

* ADHD athletes can hyperfocus amid competition chaos – that’s their reality.

* ADHD athletes have a ton of energy – they’re the ones with legs in the second half of the race.

* ADHD athletes are resourceful – if there’s a way they’ll find it.

 

* LD athletes see things differently – they can think in pictures and 3D in a way others can’t.

* LD athletes make connections where others don’t – their creativity is unrivaled.

* LD athletes are used to working harder than everyone else – nothing comes easy.

* LD athletes can be wise beyond their years – they’re perceptive and insightful.

 
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* Athletes with anxiety are tough – it requires strength just to get through the day.

* Athletes with anxiety are prepared – they don’t want to leave anything to chance.

* Athletes with anxiety are perceptive – they feel deeply and can be great leaders.

* Athletes with anxiety are kind – they understand others’ struggles and want to help.

 
Own Beat Athlete All-Stars
 
 

Hear how these athletes succeeded despite — and because of — their differences.

See the Stories section of the blog for in-depth coverage of other professional and collegiate Own Beat Athletes.

This elite group includes Muhammad Ali, Magic Johnson, Greg Louganis, Terry Bradshaw and many more.

 

All-Stars with ADHD

 
Did you know that four-time Gold Medal Olympic gymnast Simone Biles has ADHD? Watch this touching video, as she meets two young fans (and aspiring gymnasts) who also have ADHD. Hear Simone offer encouraging words to Deborah and Ruth about growing up with ADHD, and how it can be a "superpower" instead of a problem.
Olympic Rower Jake Wetzel talks about how his ADHD helped win Silver in Athens and Gold in Beijing. ADHD is very contextual--in certain situations, it may not be impairing. It may even be a strength or advantage. More videos at http://www.totallyadd.com/
Jacqueline investigates some of the stigmas surrounding ADHD and chats to Dr Becky Spelman and Judo champion Ashley McKenzie about how it has affected his life
 

All-Stars with Dyslexia

 
Professional football player, and New England Patriots DE, Lawrence Guy was diagnosed with several learning and thinking differences when he was a young chil...
A'ja Wilson revealed that she has dyslexia. News19's Joe Cook reports.
When Brent Sopel was growing up, he hated school.That's because he couldn't read. His only salvation? Playing hockey. Brent was so talented on the ice that he was simply dismissed as a "stupid jock" by his teachers. His talents took him so far that he became a professional hockey player - even winning the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks.
 

All-Stars with Anxiety

 
Legendary Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps sat down with Megyn Kelly on Megyn Kelly TODAY to talk about his retirement from the sport, his growing family and his past struggles with anxiety and depression, chronicled in the new documentary "Angst." "I hit a low point in my life where I didn't want to be alive anymore," he told Megyn Kelly.
Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star Kevin Love sits down with Jackie MacMullan to discuss suffering with anxiety and depression, having his first panic attack on November 5th, 2017 and how he can help others suffering from mental illness open up and get the help they need.
The issue of mental health in college students, specifically college student-athletes, is stigmatized and neglected. According to a 2011 study by the National College Athletic Association, 30% of about 200,000 student-athletes reported feeling depressed. 50% also claimed to have experienced overwhelming anxiety, and this information is six years out of date.