You’re Not Their Therapist, And That’s a Good Thing
What If Maddie Had Someone Like Her?
Maddie was 14, driven, bright, and the kind of swimmer who didn’t just show up to practice, she owned the lane. She was one of those rare teens with a spark you couldn’t teach. But beneath the surface, she was struggling.
Her parents were divorcing. The family was moving. Her foundation: home, school, relationships, kept shifting. And all of it started to seep into the pool. The water that once brought her peace now felt like pressure. So she walked away. Quietly. No big scene. Just… stopped going.
She didn’t talk to anyone about it. Not really. She and I talked about it. We talked about trading off for some other physical activity. But being realistic, you can’t replace that type of exercise. And looking back, I believe with my whole heart that if she’d had a mentor, maybe someone who’d been through the same thing, a high-level swimmer who once faced burnout, or pressure, or had to navigate divorce and training schedules and identity. Maddie might have stayed. Or at least, she wouldn’t have carried the weight of quitting alone.
Mentorship Isn’t Therapy, And That’s What Makes It So Powerful
Let’s clear this up:
Therapists diagnose, treat, and heal.
Mentors walk beside. They witness. They relate.
Sometimes teens don’t need a diagnosis. They need someone real. Someone who’s been through the fire and come out changed, not perfect. They need to see that their fear isn’t proof they’re broken. It’s proof they care.
What a Mentor Could’ve Said
If Maddie had been matched with a former national-level swimmer, here’s what might’ve unfolded:
“I remember quitting at 16. Not because I hated it—but because I didn’t know how to keep going with everything else falling apart.”
“You’re allowed to love the sport and feel overwhelmed.”
“Let’s talk through it. Not to fix it. Just to name it together.”
In a space like that, Maddie could’ve stayed in the conversation, even if she still needed a break. She could’ve processed instead of disappeared.
Showing Up Doesn’t Require Letters After Your Name
Mentorship at MentorWell is built around presence, not perfection. You don’t need training in psychology. You need three things:
Curiosity over correction
“Tell me more…” instead of “Here’s what you should do.”Consistency over crisis-solving
Showing up every Tuesday afternoon, even when nothing dramatic is said is where trust builds.Boundaries with heart
You don’t absorb their pain. You anchor them by showing they’re not alone in it.
Tools to Help You Support Without Burnout
MentorWell equips you with:
Conversation guides that spark real dialogue
Reflective questions that don’t pressure or pry
Templates for setting expectations around time, emotional boundaries, and availability
Gentle prompts to help teens name emotions they can’t yet define
Parents: You Already Have What It Takes
You don’t need to be a therapist to make a difference. You’re already doing the hard thing; showing up. Your presence matters more than you think.
And if you're someone who’s been through it, especially athletes, coaches, high performers who’ve felt overwhelmed. We need you.
There’s a teen out there feeling like the weight of quitting something they love means they’ve failed. Your story might be the one that helps them stay in the water, or find peace in stepping away with support.
Join Us
Parents: Start the conversation. Ask your teen, “Is there something you’ve been thinking about quitting or hiding because it feels too big?” Just opening the door is everything.
Former swimmers, athletes, coaches: We’re calling on you. You’ve got stories that could anchor a teen in the storm. MentorWell is building a network of mentors who guide, not fix. Just real people showing up.
Apply today or share your story. You don’t need to save someone. Just sit beside them as they find their way.
Because you’re not their therapist, and that’s a good thing.
