Christopher Stankovich, Ph.D.
@drstankovich.bsky.social
Professional athletic counselor, educator, author, and The Sports Doc media personality. Professor of sport psychology, society, & culture. drstankovich.com
Random stress spikes your adrenaline.
Predictable stress drains your energy.
Two very different problems — requiring two very different coping approaches. drstankovich.com/think-before... #mentalhealth #stress
Predictable stress drains your energy.
Two very different problems — requiring two very different coping approaches. drstankovich.com/think-before... #mentalhealth #stress
Think Before You Cope: The Science of Choosing the Right Stress Response | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
“One size fits all” might works for ponchos and ski caps, but it does not work when employing strategies to address the stressors you face on a daily basis. Similar to how there are different drill ...
drstankovich.com
February 16, 2026 at 10:48 PM
Random stress spikes your adrenaline.
Predictable stress drains your energy.
Two very different problems — requiring two very different coping approaches. drstankovich.com/think-before... #mentalhealth #stress
Predictable stress drains your energy.
Two very different problems — requiring two very different coping approaches. drstankovich.com/think-before... #mentalhealth #stress
Ever notice that moment when something doesn’t sit right — but you go along with it anyway?
We often know when something feels wrong.
The harder question is: why do we override it?
drstankovich.com/the-psycholo... #mentalhealth #psychology
We often know when something feels wrong.
The harder question is: why do we override it?
drstankovich.com/the-psycholo... #mentalhealth #psychology
The Psychology of Moral Compromise: The Slow Drift From Right to Rationalized | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
Right is right. Wrong is wrong. Most of us do not need a philosophy textbook to understand that statement. As humans we possess an internal mechanism that signals when something feels off, even if w...
drstankovich.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:36 PM
Ever notice that moment when something doesn’t sit right — but you go along with it anyway?
We often know when something feels wrong.
The harder question is: why do we override it?
drstankovich.com/the-psycholo... #mentalhealth #psychology
We often know when something feels wrong.
The harder question is: why do we override it?
drstankovich.com/the-psycholo... #mentalhealth #psychology
The strongest athlete doesn’t always win.
The most skilled employee doesn’t always rise.
“Winning on the margins” means doing the small things better than everyone else. drstankovich.com/how-to-win-w...
The most skilled employee doesn’t always rise.
“Winning on the margins” means doing the small things better than everyone else. drstankovich.com/how-to-win-w...
How to Win Without Being the Strongest, Fastest, or Smartest | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
Are you the strongest athlete? Fastest? Or if you are a non-athlete, are you the smartest employee at work? The most skilled? Chances are, whether you are an athlete or everyday person, you are no...
drstankovich.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:43 PM
The strongest athlete doesn’t always win.
The most skilled employee doesn’t always rise.
“Winning on the margins” means doing the small things better than everyone else. drstankovich.com/how-to-win-w...
The most skilled employee doesn’t always rise.
“Winning on the margins” means doing the small things better than everyone else. drstankovich.com/how-to-win-w...
Do some athletes need to be saved from themselves? Lindsey Vonn’s crash raises uncomfortable questions about risk, identity, and how elite competitors think. drstankovich.com/do-athletes-... #mentalhealth #athletes #sports
Do Athletes Need Protection from Their Own Minds? Lessons from Lindsey Vonn | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
Do some athletes need to be saved…from themselves? This past weekend legendary USA skier Lindsey Vonn experienced an unfortunate accident, essentially ending her competitive skiing career. Vonn compe...
drstankovich.com
February 9, 2026 at 8:38 PM
Do some athletes need to be saved from themselves? Lindsey Vonn’s crash raises uncomfortable questions about risk, identity, and how elite competitors think. drstankovich.com/do-athletes-... #mentalhealth #athletes #sports
Do video games help or hurt kids? When kids game, what are they NOT doing? Real-world social interaction, physical activity, and life skills all play a role in healthy development. drstankovich.com/video-games-... #mentalhealth
Video Games, Mental Health, and Human Development: Key Findings for Kids | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
Many kids play video games today, often for hours on end, and there are no indications that video games are going out of style any time soon. In fact, with modern technology the opposite is likely to...
drstankovich.com
February 9, 2026 at 2:31 PM
Do video games help or hurt kids? When kids game, what are they NOT doing? Real-world social interaction, physical activity, and life skills all play a role in healthy development. drstankovich.com/video-games-... #mentalhealth
Ever watched someone justify behavior they clearly know is wrong? Cognitive dissonance isn’t just psychology — it’s a window into how humans avoid reality when it hurts. drstankovich.com/truth-vs-com...
Truth vs. Comfort: How Cognitive Dissonance Shapes Our Choices | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
In the field of psychology, cognitive dissonance is defined as a mental phenomenon in which people unknowingly or subconsciously hold fundamentally conflicting cognitions. An example of cognitive dis...
drstankovich.com
February 4, 2026 at 1:17 PM
Ever watched someone justify behavior they clearly know is wrong? Cognitive dissonance isn’t just psychology — it’s a window into how humans avoid reality when it hurts. drstankovich.com/truth-vs-com...
ADHD symptoms are real. The question worth asking is whether they always represent psychopathology—or normal human variability in attention and activity. Are we treating children’s struggles—or our own intolerance for inconvenience? drstankovich.com/attention-in... #mentalhealth #ADHD
Attention in a Distracted World: Is ADHD a Disease or a Developmental Struggle? | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
As someone who has worked in mental health for nearly 35 years, ADHD remains the most controversial disorder in the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual (DSM). While few people will argue that lacking foc...
drstankovich.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:29 PM
ADHD symptoms are real. The question worth asking is whether they always represent psychopathology—or normal human variability in attention and activity. Are we treating children’s struggles—or our own intolerance for inconvenience? drstankovich.com/attention-in... #mentalhealth #ADHD
In the race for clicks, volume often beats value—and noise drowns out knowledge.
Seemingly everyone has a podcast. But does everyone have expertise?
Are we heading toward a world with more content creators than content consumers? drstankovich.com/more-creator... #mentalhealth
Seemingly everyone has a podcast. But does everyone have expertise?
Are we heading toward a world with more content creators than content consumers? drstankovich.com/more-creator... #mentalhealth
More Creators Than Consumers? Examining the World of Online Experts | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
These days, just about everywhere you turn some content creator is trying to grab your attention, whether its YouTube, Tik-Tok, or any other social media outlet. Everybody seems to have their own pod...
drstankovich.com
January 28, 2026 at 4:38 PM
In the race for clicks, volume often beats value—and noise drowns out knowledge.
Seemingly everyone has a podcast. But does everyone have expertise?
Are we heading toward a world with more content creators than content consumers? drstankovich.com/more-creator... #mentalhealth
Seemingly everyone has a podcast. But does everyone have expertise?
Are we heading toward a world with more content creators than content consumers? drstankovich.com/more-creator... #mentalhealth
As prescriptions rise, so do the questions: Are more kids truly mentally ill, or are we faster to label and medicate normal struggles? Helping kids means asking hard questions, not just writing more prescriptions. drstankovich.com/medication-m... #mentalhealth #kids
Medication, Misdiagnosis, or Modern Life? Interpreting Today’s Youth Mental Health Trends | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
As we continue to prioritize helping kids with their mental health, it is important to regularly check in with research findings to examine what trends are occurring in America today. Psychotropic dr...
drstankovich.com
January 27, 2026 at 6:49 PM
As prescriptions rise, so do the questions: Are more kids truly mentally ill, or are we faster to label and medicate normal struggles? Helping kids means asking hard questions, not just writing more prescriptions. drstankovich.com/medication-m... #mentalhealth #kids
“We just want to play.” It’s a simple message from kids that often gets drowned out by adult decisions, pressure, & expectations. drstankovich.com/let-us-be-ki... #kids #mentalhealth
Let Us Be Kids: What Young Athletes Say About Pressure and Expectations | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
‘The amount of pressure we are putting on kids at such a young age has turned me off from the activities that once were my only outlet. I never wanted to be the next Olympic champion, I just wanted t...
drstankovich.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:44 PM
“We just want to play.” It’s a simple message from kids that often gets drowned out by adult decisions, pressure, & expectations. drstankovich.com/let-us-be-ki... #kids #mentalhealth
In a world of nonstop screens, sports may be one of the last places kids are fully present—moving, connecting, and competing in real time. drstankovich.com/unplugged-wh... #kids #sports #mentalhealth #psychology
Unplugged: Why Youth Sports May Be the Best Mental Health Tool in the Digital Age | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
Tik-Tok, Snapchat, You Tube Shorts, & Instagram. Smart phone apps and online video gaming. Sedentary experiences with technology — these are the things most kids fall back on when they don’t have an...
drstankovich.com
January 23, 2026 at 1:30 PM
In a world of nonstop screens, sports may be one of the last places kids are fully present—moving, connecting, and competing in real time. drstankovich.com/unplugged-wh... #kids #sports #mentalhealth #psychology
In tennis, unforced errors cost matches.
In life, they cost peace of mind, time, and energy that could be spent better elsewhere. Many of our biggest stressors are self-created.
drstankovich.com/the-psycholo... #mentalhealth #sports #psychology
In life, they cost peace of mind, time, and energy that could be spent better elsewhere. Many of our biggest stressors are self-created.
drstankovich.com/the-psycholo... #mentalhealth #sports #psychology
The Psychology of Unforced Errors: How to Eliminate Self-Created Problems | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
An unforced error is defined as a mistake in play that is attributed to one’s own failure rather than to the skill or effort of one’s opponent. You often hear about unforced errors in tennis, like wh...
drstankovich.com
January 21, 2026 at 7:33 PM
In tennis, unforced errors cost matches.
In life, they cost peace of mind, time, and energy that could be spent better elsewhere. Many of our biggest stressors are self-created.
drstankovich.com/the-psycholo... #mentalhealth #sports #psychology
In life, they cost peace of mind, time, and energy that could be spent better elsewhere. Many of our biggest stressors are self-created.
drstankovich.com/the-psycholo... #mentalhealth #sports #psychology
Ever watch a “less talented” team knock off a favorite? It’s rarely luck. It’s discipline, belief, and a plan. Great coaching shows up when talent gaps exist. drstankovich.com/beating-bett... #kids #mentalhealth #sports #coaching
Beating Better Teams: What Great Coaching Can Do When Talent Isn’t Equal | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
Lets face it, in sports there are some teams that are simply better talent-wise — and this is definitely true in youth sports. On paper, lesser teams don’t have much of a chance when facing a far sup...
drstankovich.com
January 19, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Ever watch a “less talented” team knock off a favorite? It’s rarely luck. It’s discipline, belief, and a plan. Great coaching shows up when talent gaps exist. drstankovich.com/beating-bett... #kids #mentalhealth #sports #coaching
Reps create reliability.
Reliability creates confidence.
Confidence fuels performance.
That’s the power of muscle memory.
drstankovich.com/why-repetiti... #kids #mentalhealth #sports
Reliability creates confidence.
Confidence fuels performance.
That’s the power of muscle memory.
drstankovich.com/why-repetiti... #kids #mentalhealth #sports
Why Repetition Builds Confidence: The Role of Muscle Memory in Youth Development | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
Muscle memory, also called procedural memory, is the ability to perform movements automatically without conscious thought. It’s not that muscles “remember” on their own; rather, the brain, spinal cord...
drstankovich.com
January 15, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Reps create reliability.
Reliability creates confidence.
Confidence fuels performance.
That’s the power of muscle memory.
drstankovich.com/why-repetiti... #kids #mentalhealth #sports
Reliability creates confidence.
Confidence fuels performance.
That’s the power of muscle memory.
drstankovich.com/why-repetiti... #kids #mentalhealth #sports
When revenue, endorsements, and transfers mirror pro sports, it’s fair to ask: What role does the classroom truly play anymore? If college sports now operate as a commercial enterprise, should academic requirements be restructured to reflect that reality? drstankovich.com/if-college-a...
If College Athletes Are Professionals Now, Why Are They Still Required to Be Students? | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
How much longer will colleges require student athletes to take academic courses while playing a sport? Currently, and for as long as the NCAA has existed, student athletes have to complete a minimum ...
drstankovich.com
January 14, 2026 at 3:40 PM
When revenue, endorsements, and transfers mirror pro sports, it’s fair to ask: What role does the classroom truly play anymore? If college sports now operate as a commercial enterprise, should academic requirements be restructured to reflect that reality? drstankovich.com/if-college-a...
The most important outcome of youth sports should not be the next level, but a healthy, confident young person prepared for life beyond competition. drstankovich.com/time-money-a... #kids #mentalhealth #sports
Time, Money, and Mental Health: The True Investment Behind Elite Youth Sports | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
Whenever we invest time and energy into something, it is responsible to think about the outcomes that will likely occur from our efforts. This approach to life is a good one to use when it comes to y...
drstankovich.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:22 PM
The most important outcome of youth sports should not be the next level, but a healthy, confident young person prepared for life beyond competition. drstankovich.com/time-money-a... #kids #mentalhealth #sports
Qualified youth sport officials help keep emotions in check, games under control, and the focus on development instead of chaos. drstankovich.com/safety-fairn... #kids #mentalhealth #sports
Safety, Fairness, and Growth: The Critical Role of Referees in Youth Sports | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
Good youth sports officials are a big part of what makes youth sports fun and enriching for kids. These days, however, we are experiencing challenges attracting and securing good youth sport official...
drstankovich.com
January 12, 2026 at 7:24 PM
Qualified youth sport officials help keep emotions in check, games under control, and the focus on development instead of chaos. drstankovich.com/safety-fairn... #kids #mentalhealth #sports
Stress doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong. Sometimes it means you’re stretching, learning, or stepping outside your comfort zone. We don’t need to eliminate stress —
we need to stop giving small problems big emotional reactions. drstankovich.com/the-problem-... #mentalhealth
we need to stop giving small problems big emotional reactions. drstankovich.com/the-problem-... #mentalhealth
The Problem Isn’t Stress — It’s How We Interpret It | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
Stress, adversity, frustration, and failure. Regardless of how you live your life, you will inevitably experience these four mental health conditions — and sometimes all of them on the same day. Whe...
drstankovich.com
January 8, 2026 at 6:04 PM
Stress doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong. Sometimes it means you’re stretching, learning, or stepping outside your comfort zone. We don’t need to eliminate stress —
we need to stop giving small problems big emotional reactions. drstankovich.com/the-problem-... #mentalhealth
we need to stop giving small problems big emotional reactions. drstankovich.com/the-problem-... #mentalhealth
Interscholastic coaches in Ohio are required to complete 1 credit of mental health training, and our convenient online course has you covered! coachesmentalhealth.com #mentalhealth #sports #coaches
Mental Health Training for Coaches
coachesmentalhealth.com provides continuing education content for mental health professionals.
coachesmentalhealth.com
January 7, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Interscholastic coaches in Ohio are required to complete 1 credit of mental health training, and our convenient online course has you covered! coachesmentalhealth.com #mentalhealth #sports #coaches
Denial doesn’t protect confidence, it delays improvement.
The score doesn’t define your future — but it does define your present. Accept it, then build from it. drstankovich.com/the-scoreboa... #sports #psychology
The score doesn’t define your future — but it does define your present. Accept it, then build from it. drstankovich.com/the-scoreboa... #sports #psychology
The Scoreboard Doesn’t Lie: Facing Reality in Sports, School, and Life | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
You are what your record says you are. Often we hear from others — or say to ourselves — how much better we are than our record shows. The student with all C’s says how he is “smarter than that,” an...
drstankovich.com
January 6, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Denial doesn’t protect confidence, it delays improvement.
The score doesn’t define your future — but it does define your present. Accept it, then build from it. drstankovich.com/the-scoreboa... #sports #psychology
The score doesn’t define your future — but it does define your present. Accept it, then build from it. drstankovich.com/the-scoreboa... #sports #psychology
Youth sports move fast. Chasing the future can steal the joy from the present.
If you’re always focusing on the next opportunity, you’ll miss the magic happening right now. drstankovich.com/enjoy-the-jo... #kids #mentalhealth #sports
If you’re always focusing on the next opportunity, you’ll miss the magic happening right now. drstankovich.com/enjoy-the-jo... #kids #mentalhealth #sports
Enjoy the Journey, Not Just the Destination: A Message to Sports Parents | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
These days, youth sports has largely turned into a “what’s next” endeavor for many families. When is the next ID camp, the next elite travel team, the next training facility about to open, the next s...
drstankovich.com
December 19, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Youth sports move fast. Chasing the future can steal the joy from the present.
If you’re always focusing on the next opportunity, you’ll miss the magic happening right now. drstankovich.com/enjoy-the-jo... #kids #mentalhealth #sports
If you’re always focusing on the next opportunity, you’ll miss the magic happening right now. drstankovich.com/enjoy-the-jo... #kids #mentalhealth #sports
Check out our latest Grandview athletics podcast featuring our fantastic wrestling coaches, John Provenzano and Jimmy Woodland! This month we discuss the state of Grandview wrestling from youth to HS, as well as key tips & insights for families considering the sport! www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9Yo...
Building Resilience, Culture, and Community | GHS Athletics Podcast | December 2025
YouTube video by Grandview Heights Schools
www.youtube.com
December 18, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Check out our latest Grandview athletics podcast featuring our fantastic wrestling coaches, John Provenzano and Jimmy Woodland! This month we discuss the state of Grandview wrestling from youth to HS, as well as key tips & insights for families considering the sport! www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9Yo...
When a young athlete rejects good advice, don’t repeat it louder.
Before teaching the “what,” establish the “why.”
Kids listen when they understand the value behind the correction. drstankovich.com/the-motivati... #kids #sports #psychology #coaching #parenting #mentalhealth
Before teaching the “what,” establish the “why.”
Kids listen when they understand the value behind the correction. drstankovich.com/the-motivati... #kids #sports #psychology #coaching #parenting #mentalhealth
The Motivation Gap: Why Kids Ignore Good Advice (Even When It’s Right) | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
These days, acquiring knowledge is easier than ever before. While not always perfect, artificial intelligence (AI) is the latest new thing to provide solutions to our problems, yet a big challenge st...
drstankovich.com
December 11, 2025 at 7:25 PM
When a young athlete rejects good advice, don’t repeat it louder.
Before teaching the “what,” establish the “why.”
Kids listen when they understand the value behind the correction. drstankovich.com/the-motivati... #kids #sports #psychology #coaching #parenting #mentalhealth
Before teaching the “what,” establish the “why.”
Kids listen when they understand the value behind the correction. drstankovich.com/the-motivati... #kids #sports #psychology #coaching #parenting #mentalhealth
Praise feels good. Constructive criticism helps you grow.
Great athletes are built by honest coaching, clear guidance, and parents who value truth over comfort. drstankovich.com/saved-by-the... #kids #sports #psychology #coaching
Great athletes are built by honest coaching, clear guidance, and parents who value truth over comfort. drstankovich.com/saved-by-the... #kids #sports #psychology #coaching
Saved by the Truth: Why Honest Feedback Outperforms Empty Praise | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
Would you rather be ruined by praise, or saved by constructive criticism? Coaches are tasked with helping kids get better in their sport, and a big part of the job is communicating specific skills th...
drstankovich.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Praise feels good. Constructive criticism helps you grow.
Great athletes are built by honest coaching, clear guidance, and parents who value truth over comfort. drstankovich.com/saved-by-the... #kids #sports #psychology #coaching
Great athletes are built by honest coaching, clear guidance, and parents who value truth over comfort. drstankovich.com/saved-by-the... #kids #sports #psychology #coaching
Barry Bonds & Roger Clemens are up for the HOF again this weekend on the contemporary ballot. What has changed in the last 20 years, & why are both likely to get in this time? drstankovich.com/hall-of-fame...
Hall of Fame Redemption: Rethinking Bonds and Clemens in 2025 | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
The Major League Baseball (MLB) Hall of Fame contemporary era ballot results will be made public this Sunday, directing attention once again toward two very well known steroid users, and whether they ...
drstankovich.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Barry Bonds & Roger Clemens are up for the HOF again this weekend on the contemporary ballot. What has changed in the last 20 years, & why are both likely to get in this time? drstankovich.com/hall-of-fame...