With two taps to the head, former NBA star Darius Miles left his stamp on the game of basketball forever. As one of the few players to go straight to the league from high school, to hoops fans, D-Miles is a legend, whose contributions to the culture defined a generation. Toward the end of his NBA career, though, life off the court began to take a serious toll on Miles. He lost his grandfather, his grandmother and ultimately his mother in 2013. She was his No. 1 supporter, and her death really broke him down. The weight of his experiences growing up in poverty, surrounded by violence, caught up with him. Adding to his grief, he struggled with injuries on the court and unexpected financial hardship. Listen in to Darius’s story and hear how he built the castle back up.

*This episode contains content and topics that may be difficult for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. There are many support services that are here to help. Resources can be found at: Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) 240-485-1001

About Our Hosts:

Former NHL goaltender Corey Hirsch and psychiatrist Dr. Diane McIntosh team up on Blindsided to help professional athletes to open up about mental health. The podcast lets listeners hear about the moments when mental health became the athlete’s most important focus.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2021, Nashville Predators prospect Luke Prokop came out as gay in a social media post, making him the first player under contract to an NHL team to do so. His announcement was received positively by family, friends, and teammates. But acceptance wasn’t a given. The year leading up to his announcement, Luke struggled under the immense pressure of his secret. In the end, he had a choice to make about his mental health, and he decided he had to be his true self, no matter the costs. On this episode, hear about how Luke now plays with a new freedom, knowing that he can be who he is — on and off the ice.

This episode contains content and topics that may be difficult for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

About Our Hosts:

Former NHL goaltender Corey Hirsch and psychiatrist Dr. Diane McIntosh team up on Blindsided to help professional athletes to open up about mental health. The podcast lets listeners hear about the moments when mental health became the athlete’s most important focus.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When she was growing up, sports was the one place where Beth King felt in control. She played soccer at the collegiate level, but ultimately joined the military for her career. Deployed to Afghanistan, in 2011 she was riding in a helicopter that was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, leaving her with severe injuries to her spine and brain. A few months after the accident, Beth began to experience symptoms of PTSD and depression. Through the Wounded Warrior Project, Beth was able to turn her longtime passion for sports into a way to cope with her trauma. Tune in to her more of U.S. Army Veteran Beth King's journey.

This episode contains content and topics that may be difficult for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

Visit Wounded Warrior Project for more information about their adaptive sports programs and other ways they offer support to military members.

About Our Hosts:

Former NHL goaltender Corey Hirsch and psychiatrist Dr. Diane McIntosh team up on Blindsided to help professional athletes to open up about mental health. The podcast lets listeners hear about the moments when mental health became the athlete’s most important focus.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.