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Muggsy Bogues Spud Webb Pele Lionel Messi Floyd Mayweather Jr. Yogi Berra Emmitt Smith Barry Sanders These were names I heard throughout my entire life, particularly when it came to playing soccer. It all started when I had a private training session with a professional coach. I was twelve years old at the time, and I can recall the exact racquetball court we were working in, focusing on the technical side of the game. She had bleached blonde hair, and in my eyes, was amazing. I idolized her, and I only dreamed of being just like her one day.  I worked my ass off inRead More →

Erin Konheim Mandras Blog

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After developing, battling, and overcoming an eating disorder as a collegiate athlete, I learned an incredible amount not only about myself, but of the prevalent issue that so many of us struggle. I believed my success in recovering was possible because of the incredible support system I had within the Michigan State athletic department; stemming from the administration, to the medical staff, to strength and conditioning personnel, and then to my very own coaches. After such a tumultuous event in my life, my dreams became clear, and I knew there was only one career I desired to pursue: and that was coaching. My coaches setRead More →

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It was the first time in years that I was actually skinny and proportional. My once strong, muscular quad muscles dwindled down to skin and bones. I felt toned and cut, especially my abdomen, as it appeared I even had a six-pack. I loved trying on clothes, and seeing that even extra smalls were too big on me. But, mostly, I loved wearing a bathing suit. As illogical and completely unhealthy as these thoughts may be, even thirteen years after having an eating disorder, I still sometimes think about how I miss some aspects of that time period. I am completely aware that, though, IRead More →

Michigan State Dream

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“Wow. I never knew any of that,” said an assistant coach of one of the men’s athletic teams at Michigan State University following my speech. This coach happened to be a contemporary of mine. One who I actually have known since I was twelve years old. As I looked at him, and smiled, I thought, “Well, of course you didn’t know any of it.” Until Kick The Scale became established and publicized, the thought of anyone knowing I suffered from a psychological or physical disorder was horrifying. Why would I have wanted anyone to know I struggled, or needed anti-depressant medication, or that I evenRead More →

The Pressures That Kept Me From Loving Soccer

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From the time I was a little girl, I strived to please others. I thrived on praise and attention, and put all my efforts into being recognized and acknowledged. It was something I felt internally, but was never able to look inside, and see that was where my troubles were brewing. I happened to have gravitated toward soccer at the age of four. Not only did I enjoy it, but I stood out, and it came more natural to me than it did to others. It provided me a sense of accomplishment. It was clear from the start that soccer was my sport, and wasRead More →

Erin Konheim Mandras Blog Eating Disorders

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We were waiting to hear back the results from my 14-month-old’s endoscopy. The pediatric gastroenterologist who was caring for and treating my son had us prepared for what she anticipated the biopsy would reveal. History The prior 14 months had been exhausting, challenging, and extremely difficult as a mother and parent. The issues we faced daily since his birth included spitting up, vomiting, difficulty bottle feeding, and then refusal to eat solid foods at the time we were instructed to introduce them. Though he had struggled to initially gain weight, he somehow made it out of the “red,” and his growth became a nonissue. TheRead More →

sports-illustrated-three-covers

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Sports Illustrated Made Monumental Statement; but, it is not the answer. I have often dreamed of.. …having long, skinny legs. …not having my inner thighs touch. …fitting in a size double zero. …owning long, wavy hair. …being sized in a double “D” bra. …possessing a flat stomach. …having narrow shoulders. …having zero fat on my body. When I think of a Hollywood “model” and “beauty,” I think of all the above qualities. The standard of beauty has been illustrated in a way where, as a society, we all have the same vision of beauty and of the perfect body. As somebody who suffered terribly fromRead More →

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I had the amazing opportunity to visit my old stomping grounds, alma mater, and meet with the critical people who played a major role in my maturation process, provided support, and guided me to become the best person I could possibly be at the time I walked across the stage to receive my college diploma from Michigan State University. I expressed to these leaders, administrators, and, now, colleagues that by the end of my college journey and enduring the most challenging obstacle I had ever faced, I was forced to quickly acquire qualities that I had been lacking. Prior to that experience, I had beenRead More →

The Weight Room: Strength to Weakness

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It’s the feeling of returning to the intersection you had recently survived a major car accident. Or, having to play on the field where you once collapsed in pain, and was told you tore your ACL. Or, going back to the shopping store you happened to be at when an earthquake struck. Or, even, walking down the same path for the first time since you had been mugged. No matter the event, it is unanimous that people have flashbacks when exposed to stimuli that represent a previous experience, particularly a traumatic one. We forever associate the specific details of the incident with bad feelings; the vividRead More →

Gained weight? You look great! ... Nobody ever says.

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Ready. Set. Go. My entire life has seemed like a race. A race to finish my homework and go outside to play. A race to get from one class to the next before the bell rang. A race to get to soccer practice despite the rush hour traffic. A race to see how quickly I could run an errand. A race on the soccer field to track down a ball. You get the point, and to this day, I feel like I am still racing, but now, with kids in tow. It, obviously, is my competitive nature, but it never stops, even outside of theRead More →