This course explores mental toughness and emotional intelligence as it relates to athletes and sports concussion management, however, these strategies are also for SLPs and AuDs to help them ignite the leader within. Helping student-athletes manage the fear behind concussions, which may lead to reducing the stigma, increased reporting of signs and symptoms, and decreased fear of isolation during protocols and repercussions, such as losing playing time and scholarships will be discussed. In addition, being unafraid of post-concussion cognitive-communication difficulties may lead to increased advocacy of accommodations. Shawnee highlights what is lacking within the sports community, which is a lack of addressing the athletes’ overall well-being. Steps to incorporate before, during, and after warming up the body and the mind, as well as preparing to deal with the “storms” from playing the sport by applying the social-emotional pillars and cognitive-communication strategies to athletic training, brain health, and the everyday physical exercises will be provided.
