Episode 68: "Stay Another Day" with Mental Health Advocate Mackenzie Nelson

September 16, 2024

Watch on Youtube Listen on Apple Podcasts

In Episode 68 of the Mental Mettle Podcast, Coach Matt Thomann explores the critical intersection of mental health and athletics, shining a spotlight on the inspiring work of Mackenzie Nelson and her "Stay Another Day" initiative. This powerful conversation delves into the heart of one of the most pressing issues facing athletes today: mental health awareness and support.The Power of Staying Another DayMackenzie Nelson's "Stay Another Day" campaign carries a simple yet profound message: no matter how difficult things may seem, there's always hope if you choose to stay. This initiative resonates deeply within the athletic community, where the pressure to perform and succeed can often overshadow an individual's mental well-being.

Breaking the Stigma

One of the key themes discussed in this episode is the importance of breaking the stigma surrounding mental health in sports. Coach Thomann emphasizes that seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but rather a demonstration of strength and self-awareness. This message is crucial for young athletes who may feel pressured to maintain a facade of invincibility.

Equipping Athletes with Mental Health Tools

The conversation highlights the necessity of providing athletes with practical tools to manage adversity. These skills are just as important as physical training and can include:

Mindfulness techniques
Stress management strategies
Communication skills for expressing emotions and concerns
Building a support network

Creating a Supportive Environment

Coach Thomann discusses the role of coaches, parents, and teammates in fostering a supportive environment. This includes:

Encouraging open dialogue about mental health
Recognizing signs of struggle in athletes
Providing resources and access to mental health professionals
Modeling healthy coping mechanisms

The Ripple Effect of Awareness

By sharing Mackenzie Nelson's story and the "Stay Another Day" message, this episode aims to create a ripple effect of awareness and support. It reminds listeners that every conversation about mental health has the potential to save a life.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

As the episode wraps up, Coach Thomann leaves listeners with a powerful call to action: be the person who reaches out, who listens, and who encourages others to stay another day. In doing so, we can create a culture of support and resilience that extends far beyond the field of play.Tune in to Episode 68 of the Mental Mettle Podcast to hear this important conversation and learn how you can be part of the solution in supporting mental health in athletics and beyond.

About Stay Another Day: Raising Mental Health Awareness

"Stay Another Day" is a powerful mental health awareness initiative founded by Mackenzie Nelson, aiming to break the stigma surrounding mental health challenges. Inspired by her own journey, Mackenzie emphasizes the importance of open conversations about mental health, encouraging individuals to seek help and support rather than suffer in silence.

The initiative primarily operates through its apparel brand, which features meaningful messages designed to spark dialogue and promote awareness. Each piece of clothing serves as a walking billboard for mental health, reminding wearers and those around them that reaching out for help is a sign of strength. The brand's motto, "Stay Another Day," reflects Mackenzie's personal mantra during difficult times, urging people to take life one day at a time.

In addition to selling apparel, Stay Another Day actively engages with schools and communities by providing educational presentations on mental health topics. Through these efforts, Mackenzie aims to equip young people with the tools they need to manage adversity and foster resilience. A portion of every sale is donated to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, further supporting individuals in crisis.

By promoting awareness and encouraging conversations about mental health, "Stay Another Day" is making a significant impact in the lives of many, helping to create a supportive environment for athletes and individuals alike.

Are you ready to forge your mettle?

More From Mental Mettle

New Year, Real Toughness: How Being Vulnerable Builds Mental Mettle

Vulnerability might be the most underrated New Year’s resolution you can make for 2026. When you stop pretending to have it all together and start being honest about your weaknesses, you open the door to real mental toughness, growth, and change.

Episode 135: If You Want to Grow in 2026, Be Vulnerable

Episode 135 of The Mental Mettle Podcast, “If You Want to Grow in 2026, Be Vulnerable,” challenges the old-school idea that toughness means never changing, never asking for help, and never admitting weakness. Coach Matt Thomann explains how that mindset actually blocks growth and keeps you stuck in the same patterns year after year. Instead, he invites listeners to redefine toughness as the courage to see where you fall short, open up to others, and pursue growth on purpose in the new year.

Episode 134: Beyond the Pitch: Maya Lambert on Turning Soccer Lessons into Career Strengths

Episode 134 of The Mental Mettle Podcast highlights what many athletes quietly wonder: Will any of this matter once the games are over? In “Beyond the Pitch: Maya Lambert on Turning Soccer Lessons into Career Strengths,” Coach Matt Thomann sits down with former Purdue University captain and professional defender Maya Lambert to explore how high‑level sport can become a launchpad—not a dead end—for life after athletics.

Positive Toughness: How 9 Core Topics Transform Your Game and Life

Mental toughness is not just about grinding harder or “wanting it more.” It is a trainable system of skills that shape how you respond when life and competition punch back. That is the heart of Coach Matt Thomann’s 100% Mettle framework—a practical way to build positive toughness that holds up under real pressure, not just in motivational quotes.

Episode 133: 100% Mettle: Coach Matt Thomann’s 9 Core Topics for Positive Toughness

This episode of The Mental Mettle Podcast zooms out to ask a core question: what does real, positive toughness actually look like in everyday life? Instead of glorifying “grind” or pretending pressure doesn’t hurt, Episode 133 introduces 100% Mettle—a way of approaching adversity that is honest, hopeful, and focused on growth, not ego.

Hope as a High-Performance Skill: How to Build Mental Toughness Before Life Falls Apart

Hope isn’t just a feeling you get when things are going well. It is a mental and spiritual skill you can deliberately build long before life blindsides you. That is one of the biggest themes in Episode 132 of The Mental Mettle Podcast, “The Power of Hope with Derek Gordon,” and it has huge implications for athletes, coaches, parents, and anyone trying to stay resilient in a chaotic world.

View all