For student-athletes, balancing the demands of their sport, academics, and mental well-being is a constant challenge. The intense schedules and expectations can feel overwhelming very often. Kekoa Mayo-Mcknight 25’ and Chloe Blume 25’, two dedicated Bishop O’Dowd athletes, have created their strategies to manage these demands while also maintaining their mental health.
Kekoa Mayo-Mcknight, a 3-year, now varsity O’Dowd football lineman, knows all too well the time commitment to excel in his sport.
“Sports take a lot of time, especially football, with practices from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., says Mayo-Mcknight 25’, “seeing grades go down takes a toll on my mental health, but balancing it with help like academic assistance from Bishop O’Dowd and mental assistance from my mom, I can do things for myself.”
For Kekoa, the key to managing his mental health alongside his academic responsibilities lies in finding balance. He makes sure to carve out time for himself and doesn’t hesitate to ask for help when he needs it.
By proactively seeking help, Kekoa has found ways to maintain his A and B range grades without sacrificing his well-being. His strategy is simple but still helps him prioritize self-care and lean on available resources to stay on track.
Chloe Blume 25’, a 4-year varsity O’Dowd women’s golf player, has a different approach to maintaining her balance. Her strategy revolves around “compartmentalization,” being fully present in whatever task is at hand.
“Stay focused on your game during your game, stay focused on your practice during your practice, and once you get home, then you shift into your student mode.” Says Blume 25’.
Blume 25’ gives her all to each aspect of her life, it’s about giving her all to each aspect of her life in turn, without letting the stresses of one interfere with the others.
By stayingpresent and focused during practice, Chloe ensures she performs her best out on the green.
“Once my match is over, I understand that whether I lost or won, there’s nothing I can do to change it which helps me shift my full attention to my schoolwork,” Blume ‘25 says.
This mindset allows her to maintain a healthy separation between sports and academics, preventing burnout and ensuring she stays motivated in both areas.
Both Mayo-Mcknight 25’ and Blume 25’ recognize the impact that sports and academics can have on their mental health. They understand that to succeed in both, they must prioritize self-care and mental well-being. Kekoas’s strategy for success means seeking support when he needs it and making time for himself, while Chloe’s means focusing fully on each task and creating mental boundaries that stay composed and motivated.
“It’s all about what’s best for you,” Mayo-Mcknight says, “I think what I do is good, but everyone has a strategy that’s best for them. Taking care of yourself is so important, so people should do what is most healthy for themselves.”
