My name is Shea Douglass, and I am a sophomore here at Grand Valley State University. I am on the Women’s Soccer team, and I am studying General Business. Committing to Grand Valley has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. As a college athlete, I've learned that while we can't control every outcome in sports, we can always control the kind of teammate, friend, and person we choose to be. 

Behind every athlete is a person dealing with the weight of pressure, expectations, and challenges that maybe aren't always visible. These experiences can shape us as players, teammates, and people, over time, leaving a powerful impact on our mental health, mindset, and our overall well-being – whether good or bad. These experiences are the reason I decided to be a part of the Anchor Team. I didn't join because I had all the answers or because I had gone through every challenge myself. I joined because I wanted to help create an environment where athletes know that they don't have to face those challenges alone. Sometimes the most meaningful thing you can do isn’t solve someone else’s problems; it’s simply to let them know that they are seen, heard, and supported. 

Playing soccer and being involved in athletics for the past fifteen years of my life, the biggest take away from it all is how important it is to be the best teammate you can be. You can't always control playing time, coaches, wins and losses, as well as everything else that accompanies being an elite athlete. But something that we can control – which I personally believe is more valuable than any of the factors of sports that you can't always control – is the teammate, person, and friend we choose to truly be and fully embody on and off the field. I believe that choice has the power to shape the mental health of not just an individual, but an entire team. A simple conversation, a few words of encouragement, or taking the time to check in with someone can remind them that they don't have to carry every challenge alone. 

As an athlete and as a person, I have made the conscious choice to ground myself in the joy of prioritizing being the best person I can be. Not only for myself, but for everyone who surrounds me. During our time as athletes, and working so closely with the athletes around us, we have an opportunity to reach out and touch someone's heart, mind, and soul. The teammate you choose to be becomes part of someone else's experience. My biggest piece of advice to anyone reading this is to be the type of person you would want on your team. 

My hope is that whether it's through the Anchor Team or simply by being a teammate, I can help create a culture where every athlete feels supported, valued, and understood. If I can make even one person feel less alone, then I know I've made the kind of impact that truly matters to me.

-Shea

#LakersRiseTogether #AnchorUp