Badgers at forefront of mindfulness training in collegiate athletics

…..Wisconsin is the first — and so far, only — school in the country with a full-time meditation specialist dedicated to its athletic department, a move that was made nearly a year ago, before the pandemic began to take hold in the United States.

Chad McGehee is an engaging, soft-spoken 40-year-old — a former college soccer player, traveler of the world and K-12 school teacher — whose mindfulness specialty is working with those in high-stress environments like first responders, soldiers and, yes, student-athletes.

A growing list of UW Athletic Department administrators, like deputy director Chris McIntosh; coaches, like head football strength and conditioning coach Ross Kolodziej; and student-athletes, like Rettke; believe the world of meditation — the ancient practice of gently training the mind to be your greatest ally — may be the next big frontier in college athletics.....

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Bethany`s Notes: I briefly shared this information when Chad was hired at UW but it appears it was a great hire at a critical time. Imagine if we all knew mindfulness techniques BEFORE COVID-19 happened. If you haven`t tried mindfulness in some way I recommend you consider trying it.