From the rough-edged courts of New York City and recruited by Coach Pat Summitt for the University of Tennessee’s Lady Vols, Chamique Holdsclaw was hailed as the “female Michael Jordan,” impressing crowds with her artistry, athleticism and drive. A three-time NCAA champ and #1 draft pick in the WNBA, Holdsclaw seemed destined for a spectacular professional career—until her long-suppressed battle with mental disorders emerged to derail her career and threaten her life. In this inspiring keynote, Chamique will share her personal story of resilience as well as a message about the importance of self-care, prioritizing mental health, asking for help and knowing that you are not alone.

Chamique Holdsclaw was not only a passionate player on the court—she’s regarded as one of the best college players ever—but also continues to be one off the hardwood, too. Chamique is a fervent advocate for mental health and standing up for the rights of those who suffer from mental health problems. In this talk, Chamique will share her personal journey of battling mental illness, the need to destigmatize it and stop discrimination against those who suffer from it. She’ll also address how you can help, from promoting understanding and empathy to improving knowledge to having open conversations about mental well-being to working together to ensure that mental health is recognized as an essential human right.

For Chamique Holdsclaw, talking about basketball and the amazing way it impacted her life was easy. But what was hard for her was sharing with others that she was dealing with mental illness. Instead, she buried what was going on and focused on her sport—until her world came crashing down. And she’s not alone. Nearly half of those who are experiencing mental illness suffer in silence. Many are embarrassed or feel they’ll be discriminated against. So, they remain quiet. In this talk, Chamique shines a spotlight on the importance of building constructive conversations around mental health for both parents and kids and gives tips to help get the conversation started. “You have to talk to people who love you,” she says. “If you don’t have the skill set to fight for yourself, you’ll have people who can fight for you. I just kept so much inside.”

For Chamique Holdsclaw, talking about basketball and the amazing way it impacted her life was easy. But what was hard for her was sharing with others that she was dealing with mental illness. That was a mistake she says. When she wasn’t being her authentic self, Chamique’s career suffered. She wasn’t at her best and it took a toll on her mind, body and work. And it’s the same for thousands of others. In this talk, Chamique shares her journey, the benefits of embracing your true self and viewing your identity as a strength instead of a weakness.