Catholic University field hockey player Mary Rojack joins us to talk about her journey with mental health, being part of the Morgan’s Message community, and the impact of building support both on and off campus. 💙From New Jersey to Catholic U, Mary’s passion for advocacy and connection shines through. Tune in to hear her story!Find out more about Morgan’s Message hereFollow Morgan’s Message here
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Episode #163 - Clare Kehoe
In this episode, Kat chats with Clare Kehoe, the Director of Education and one of the co-founders of Morgan’s Message. Clare opens up about her friendship with Morgan Rodgers—the memories they shared, the support she tried to offer, and the heartbreak of losing someone you love to suicide. She shares what drove her to help launch Morgan’s Message and how that loss forever changed the direction of her life.Through grief, Clare has built something deeply meaningful: a movement that empowers student-athletes to speak up, support one another, and normalize conversations around mental health. We dive into how the Ambassador Program was created, how it’s grown to over 1,500 campuses, and the role it plays in changing culture—one conversation at a time.Learn more about Morgan’s Message here Follow @morgansmessage on IG hereApply to join or start an Ambassador Program at your school here
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Episode #162 - Marina Paul
Marina Paul is the founder of SPRHRA, a women's sportswear brand built on real female athlete data. A former Division 1 soccer player and All-American at Georgetown University, Marina overcame significant challenges—depression, eating disorders, and ACL injuries—to become the program’s first-ever three-time captain, leading her team to the first-ever College Cup Final Four. Through SPRHRA and her advocacy, she is dedicated to empowering female athletes.You can shop the SPRHRA x MM Short hereFind SPRHRA on IG hereInterested in Team Uniforms? You can find out more hereConnect with Morgan's Message on IG hereLearn more about Morgan's Message here
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Episode #161 - Emma Kilbride
In this episode of The Mental Matchup, we sit down with Emma Kilbride, co-founder of Here for You Clothing, to talk about her lifelong journey with anxiety, depression, and tic disorder, and how stepping away from college became the turning point in her healing. Emma shares her raw and honest story of hitting pause on life as she knew it, doing the inner work through therapy and reflection, and ultimately rediscovering her purpose in mental health advocacy. Now, through Here For You Clothing, Emma is building community and connection through powerful storytelling and wearable reminders that no one is ever alone.We discuss:The reality of living with anxiety, depression, and ticsWhy leaving college became a critical act of self-careThe healing power of therapy and communityHow Emma turned pain into purpose through Here For You ClothingShop Here For You Clothing at hereforyouclothing.comUse code MENTALMATCHUP for 20% off your order!You can find here for you at @hereforyouclothingFollow Morgan's Message at @morgansmessageLearn more about Morgan's Message here
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Episode #160 - Ben Redlener
This week on The Mental Matchup, we sit down with Ben Redlener, a sophomore lacrosse player at Emerson College, to talk about the pressures that come with being a student-athlete—and the quiet battles that often go unseen.Ben opens up about his mental health journey, reflecting on how constantly comparing himself to other athletes and peers impacted his confidence, academic life, and athletic performance. Through vulnerability and growth, Ben has found strength in accepting his own path and is now using his voice to support others doing the same.In this episode, we cover:The weight of comparison in athletics and lifeThe impact of self-doubt on performance and progressRedefining success and self-worth as a student-athleteFinding power in vulnerability and communityListen to Ben's podcast Attolo hereFind out more about Morgan's Message here Follow Morgan's Message on IG here
Presented by Morgan’s Message, The Mental Matchup is a podcast focused on opening up dialogue about athlete mental health. Co-hosts Kat Zempolich and Schuyler DeBree are both former division one athletes who attended Duke University, and are passionate about making sure no one feels alone in their mental health challenges.
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