As a recent graduate student, I've seen a lot of numbers and a lot of research. Growing up as social media 'grew up,' not having it instantly in my hands, opened my eyes even wider to the sports perspectives and lifestyles of older vs. younger individuals, more than research alone ever could. 

Think about it... 20 years ago, TikTok wasn't a thought. Today, kids are thrown into blogging lifestyles, and that's their normal. Another example: it would be unusual for someone like Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, not to think a Tiktok dance in the middle of practice is a little odd at first. The 'knock on the door and ask to play' lifestyle (of most coaches and parents) is slowly becoming foreign to young athletes.

Today, there’s completely alternate views. 

Yet, it's simple: That's the way they grew up. 

Now, I was smack in the middle of 'knock on the door and ask to play' and 'did you see the new iPhone 4 came out?' era. I think the understanding of each generation plays a huge roll in everyone's ability to take next steps. We're all so worried about who's with who, who's watching what, what will they think, and then we forget the love and passion behind why we do what we do. 

Behind every account and each post, there is a little, teeny, tiny athlete who picked up whatever ball or whatever sport, and knew that was it. Pretty sure there isn't any research on that feeling, cause IFYKYK. Which is why I wanted to create an outlet for athletes to start off slow, work into the swing of things, and not feel pressured. All while making it as simple as texting your friend."

-Founder of TAL

A message from the founder:

"I created The Athlete Line cause society already recognizes that mental health is important. It was after that I became so fed up watching athletes be too scared to help their mental battles, and I was hooked on wanting to change that.

To wake up one morning and decide to pour everything from a sport that's bouncing around in your head (to a complete stranger) just isn't how things roll nowadays. I said to myself, ‘Until now,’ and that’s exactly how TAL started.”