Wilton Youth Council Presents The Athlete Mindset: Supporting the Wellness of Student Athletes

Student athletes today are growing up in an increasingly high-pressure sports culture, where the drive to excel can sometimes outpace their physical and emotional readiness. This workshop explores the unique mental and emotional challenges young athletes face and offers practical, evidence-based strategies to foster resilience, balance, and confidence- both on and off the field. Join Yale Child Study Center psychiatrist and former professional European basketball player, Dr. Ayotunde Ayobello to:

• Understand the pressures, stressors, and emotional experiences of student-athletes
• Learn to identify when stress, anxiety, or perfectionism may be negatively impacting student-athletes
• Discover practical ways to help student-athletes develop coping skills, confidence, and a growth mindset
• Learn how to encourage student-athletes to explore interests beyond sports and develop a well-rounded sense of self

Ayobello is an Assistant Professor of Child Psychiatry and provides outpatient psychiatric care at the Yale Child Study Center in Westport, Connecticut. As a former elite athlete, a power forward and center for the Crimea State Basketball Team from 2008 to 2014, Ayobello brings first hand understanding of the psychological demands of competitive sports. His experience informs his work in fostering resilience and integrating mental health strategies into athletic performance.