14. A Message to Black Athletes

Race isn’t something I talk about often. From the very beginning, my focus has been on helping guide former athletes of all races, from any sport. However, I’ve noticed a pattern among athletes of color that I can’t help but address: In my experience, black athletes (including me) have a harder time opening up, being vulnerable, and asking for help. I believe this is especially true in the case of black athletes, because sports is so often viewed as our way “out” (I’ll save that topic for another video). In the full video, I dive into several reasons why I think that is, but here’s my point: Don’t be ashamed of the feelings of uncertainty, frustration, nostalgia, or anything else that comes up after hanging up the jersey. Don’t be afraid to express what you’re dealing with, and ask for guidance. If you want help, you’re going to have to risk being vulnerable. Also, I can’t stress enough how important it is to check on a former teammate, just to see how they’re doing. I try to do this at least once per week with someone I haven’t talked to in a while. Connect with me at https://www.tajdashaun.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tajdashaun/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachtajdashaun YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdQgi_hDXaP5-6OtX_Nyf4A