Kevin Love said “Mental health is an invisible thing, but it touches all of us at one point or another. It’s a part of life.” This quote Brandon Shintani can relate to. When Brandon was a freshman in high school playing on his high school basketball team he experienced anxiety before games. He wondered if he had practiced enough, hard enough, or in the best way. Brandon realized this anxiety was connected to his mental game, yet for this teenager in high school there were no resources or supports to turn to for teenage athletes. Brandon decided to create a free website designed by teenage athletes focused on the mental health and wellness of teenage athletes. I had the honor to interview Brandon who is the founder, leader and CEO of Mind-Design Sports.
“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” Michael Jordan
Brandon intentionally chose the name Mind-Design Sports. “Mind comes from the Latin word “mens” which is all about logic and reasoning. Design is also Latin based and refers to developing a plan for peak performance. Sport comes from the Old French word “desport” which is about leisure and having fun.” Mind-Design Sports became an official non-profit in 2021 because Brandon wanted the resources, information, and supports to be free. He felt a non-profit would be a credible way to do something good for the community. This leader took his role to heart, spending time researching ways of structuring and running a business. Mind-Design Sports thoughtfully shares realistic, useful, credible information. While the focus is on mental strategies for teenage athletes, information shared is something anyone can benefit from. For example using a strategy such as four-square box breathing for when you are feel stressed can benefit anyone who utilizes this breathing technique.
“Make sure your own enemy doesn’t live between your two ears.” Laird Hamilton
Mind-Design Sports currently has over 100 high school and college athletes team members from all around the world. Through the power of social media and word of mouth these student athletes wanted to contribute to the Mind-Design Sport community. There is a Blog team that writes all the blogs. Providing content and information that is useful and relatable. Every month Brandon interviews guests for the podcast. From professional Chess players to someone from the US Ski team there is conversation with people all over the world that is shared with people all over the world. The newest program is the Mentorship Program. In this program high school and college athletes volunteer to mentor elementary and middle school athletes via zoom meetings, providing support and building friendships with these up and coming athletes. The younger athletes and their parents have shared appreciation for the mentor relationships. Brandon is a thoughtful person who checks in with his younger brother and his friends to see what support they need. When Brandon experienced the younger athletes appreciation for these conversations influenced the decision to offer the Mind-Design Sport Mentorship program.
“Breaking the stigma means together, as teammates and competitors, we are to acknowledge and accept all emotions. Supporting and respecting one another through our experiences can help every student-athlete’s mental health. Breaking the stigma means breaking it together.” Sam Munroe
As Brandon is entering his senior year at Ridgewood High School in New Jersey he is applying to colleges to study Sports Psychology. His parents have been cheerleaders of him in all ways, including with Mind-Design Sports. The Mind-Design Sports team of volunteers has built a solid foundation. Each person is invested in providing useful information that will support a student athlete’s mental game with strategies useful while playing a sport and useful in living. This is only the beginning for this newly formed team. Mind-Design Sports has the intent to support more student athletes of all ages from all over the world. Brandon has turned his experience of mentally struggling while playing a sport he loves into an incredible non-profit whose core values embrace collaboration, diversity, inspiration and empowerment. Where the Mind-Design Sports team actively influence each other to see their awesomeness while inspiring others as well.
With honor and admiration we shine the Kindness Champion Spotlight on the remarkable Mind Design Sports. We thank you for being you and bringing your awesome to the world.
For information on this remarkable non-profit here is their information:
Website: https://www.mind-designsports.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MindDesignSport @MindDesignSport
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mind_design_sports/ @mind_design_sports
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mind-Design-Sports-103600458369292/ @Mind-Design-Sports
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mind-design-sports/ @Mind-Design Sports
