Our Founder,

Bryce Choate

Bryce founded Mental Health Collective 4 Athletes following his own mental health journey during his athletic career. Upon graduating from Tellico Plains High School, he competed at Tennessee Wesleyan University (NAIA) and Oral Roberts University (NCAA) as a track and field student-athlete.

Over the course of six years, he faced multiple injuries, chest surgery, and debilitating depression. This journey of overcoming obstacles one after another would prove to be both challenging and overwhelming. While not competing from injury or surgery, Bryce was forced to discover his new identity with so much of it seemingly stripped away.

Like many athletes, Bryce suffered in silence for years in the name of “mental toughness.” He finally reached a breaking point in 2021, when depression clouded his life beyond his ability to cope. Simple tasks became impossible, and anxiety kept him awake at night. Bryce ultimately recognized his inability to function and made the tough decision to move home.

Now, feeling more broken and defeated than ever, he had no choice but to ask for help. Appointments were made on his behalf because he could not do it on his own. His parents took him to his family doctor, who recommended counseling. Months of counseling, taking antidepressants, and support finally led to a breakthrough. Several years of depression that started in high school had finally seemed to subside. However, a new challenge arose. “How do I handle the sensory overload of experiencing light after so many years in darkness?”

It took Bryce over a year of ups and downs, changes in medication, and trying different coping mechanisms to find stability. He still has lows, but he has equipped himself with the tools to find his way back to the light. He knows the darkness will not last forever, and he has a group of tethers ready to pull him out if he falls into a pit that he cannot escape alone.

Through his struggles, he found a passion for helping others find their way during difficult times. His goal is to increase awareness and accessibility of mental health resources for athletes by unifying them on one platform. Bryce spends his time advocating for student-athletes in several ways, including on the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Board of Governors.

Our Founder, Bryce Choate

Bryce founded Mental Health Collective 4 Athletes following his own mental health journey during his athletic career. Upon graduating from Tellico Plains High School, he competed at Tennessee Wesleyan University (NAIA) and Oral Roberts University (NCAA) as a track and field student-athlete.

Over the course of six years, he faced multiple injuries, chest surgery, and debilitating depression. This journey of overcoming obstacles one after another would prove to be both challenging and overwhelming. While not competing from injury or surgery, Bryce was forced to discover his new identity with so much of it seemingly stripped away.

Like many athletes, Bryce suffered in silence for years in the name of “mental toughness.” He finally reached a breaking point in 2021, when depression clouded his life beyond his ability to cope. Simple tasks became impossible, and anxiety kept him awake at night. Bryce ultimately recognized his inability to function and made the tough decision to move home.

Now, feeling more broken and defeated than ever, he had no choice but to ask for help. Appointments were made on his behalf because he could not do it on his own. His parents took him to his family doctor, who recommended counseling. Months of counseling, taking antidepressants, and support finally led to a breakthrough. Several years of depression that started in high school had finally seemed to subside. However, a new challenge arose. “How do I handle the sensory overload of experiencing light after so many years in darkness?”

It took Bryce over a year of ups and downs, changes in medication, and trying different coping mechanisms to find stability. He still has lows, but he has equipped himself with the tools to find his way back to the light. He knows the darkness will not last forever, and he has a group of tethers ready to pull him out if he falls into a pit that he cannot escape alone.

Through his struggles, he found a passion for helping others find their way during difficult times. His goal is to increase awareness and accessibility of mental health resources for athletes by unifying them on one platform. Bryce spends his time advocating for student-athletes in several ways, including on the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Board of Governors.