SALEM, Ore. – For many people on the outside looking in, attending a higher education institution as a student-athlete in college athletics appears to be a fairly stress-free environment. Road trips to new cities, early class dismissals, and donning their school colors proudly are all expectations that a student-athlete agrees to when they sign their letter of intent to represent their organization on their respective fields, courts, mats, and classrooms.
As cushy as a life one might think comes associated with these expectations, the day-to-day wear and tear it can create on the human body has shown always been demonstrated by the physical toll, but only recently have the mental health impacts of student-athletes been studied and recognized as a legitimate threat to future wellbeing.
Recently, a student-athlete within the walls of Corban University has decided to speak up about the trials and tribulations that she has faced during her short time as a collegiate student-athlete and has launched a national campaign to help spread awareness for those who may need that extra level of support in their lives as they endure the grueling trek of participating in collegiate athletics.
Izzy Boring, a redshirt sophomore on the Corban women's basketball team, is no stranger to the physical wear and tear of her sport. Suffering multiple long-term and potential season/career-ending injuries, Boring has consistently been fighting an uphill battle against her own body to find the court time she was originally recruited for and remains committed to showcasing her God-given abilities with a basketball in her hand. Little did everyone know, despite her physical setbacks and frustrating lack of the opportunities she expected to participate in when she first put on the Navy and Gold clad uniforms, Boring was fraught with her own off-court battles that she kept hidden within.
When asked to share what led her to taking this widespread crisis head-on, Boring said, "Loneliness has been something that has infiltrated every nook and cranny of my life and many others around me. Unfortunately, this topic of loneliness and social isolation has been long stigmatized to the point where people feel too afraid to ask for help or speak out about their troubles, which is why I'm speaking now."
Boring carried on with the portrayal of her cause by stating, "I am speaking up because I have felt lonely, I have been isolated, and I have isolated myself. I have deeply felt disconnected from others around me and that's why I have felt called to share my story and to serve as a reminder to others that they are not alone."
In the middle of one of the most isolated times in the history of the modern-day society, the COVID-19 pandemic, Boring's longtime high school sweetheart boyfriend was struggling with the loneliness that continually crept in from all angles. The combination of senior years graduation requirements, riddled with pandemic stipulations, mandatory quarantines, and government shutdowns, proved to be the ultimate weapon of loneliness and the emptiness associated with it for Boring's best friend. Having already struggled in her childhood with a lack of parental support after her father was incarcerated, Boring was unsure of how to navigate this difficult time for her and her boyfriend, especially when they were already forced into isolation due to the worldwide pandemic.
On March 17th of their senior year, the man that Boring expected to be a lifelong commitment to her forthcoming post-high school life in an unexplored world, unexpectedly took his own life and from then on, loneliness became her closest companion. Much like what she explained her boyfriend had experienced throughout his struggles before deciding he couldn't fight it anymore, she now found herself in a near carbon copy scenario.
"My story is hard but unfortunately not unique," Boring shared. "Countless young people around me have lived a life hand-in-hand with loneliness, and that's why I can't sit idly by and watch this epidemic steal any more lives."
Just as she was navigating the tragic loss of her boyfriend, God had made it evident to her that He planned to use her to turn graves into gardens. Without much of a warning, she was suddenly serving as a voice for others and advocating for her fellow classmates. Merely four months after the loss of best friend, she was asked to share her story on social media through the works of the nonprofit organization Only7Seconds. The association is based out of Chelan, Washington, and their whole purpose is to continuously fight against the loneliness people encounter every day by encouraging human connections.
In the midst of one of her darkest times, she was blessed to be given a platform to not only share her own story, but also share God's goodness even in the valley. From that point on, she was able to partner with Only7Seconds the past two years on multiple podcasts and most recently by representing the nonprofit in Washington, D.C. at the U.S. Capitol building.
With less than a month to prepare, Boring felt the weight of anxiety forcing down on her as she scheduled her flight to go speak on behalf of everyone in her corner. However, with the help of her prayers outweighing the associated anxiety, Boring flew cross-country to the nation's capital to speak on a panel for the Global Loneliness Awareness Week Summit that took place on June 13th earlier this month. She was seated among some of the most educated men and women who all have a heart towards healing the nation.
As intimidating as this was, Boring shared that she suddenly felt the confidence she needed to stand proudly among the professionals she sat near, knowing that God had walked before her and equipped her with the strengths to share the parts of her life that she would have otherwise kept hidden.
"The experience was life-changing in so many ways," Boring stated about the national summit. First off, I had never been to Washington, D.C. before, and seeing the history there put so much into perspective on how our country came to be, and the fact that I get to speak freely about my story because of the sacrifices that so many others before me made. To say I am thankful for this opportunity would be an understatement."
Boring carried on with her breakdown of the global summit by sharing, "Secondly, using my God-given voice gave me a little glimpse of what I love; helping others. I had always had this passion for people, but it wasn't until I was seated in front of all those that had endured their own personal struggles that ignited this passion in me. Watching God use my trials to help others has been the biggest blessing, and I can't wait to see what more can happen."
It's now been two weeks since Boring represented the Only7Seconds organization at the Capital building, and she is still in awe of the impact it had on her. Despite her own shortcomings, failures, and poor attempts at controlling her own life at times, God continued to pave the way for something much bigger than herself.
"It has been an absolute blessing sitting front row as God provides purpose to a pain I thought I could never recover from. It's only through Him and Him alone that I have the strength to be vulnerable and the words to help make change happen. I am simply a girl who offers up nothing but broken pieces, and yet God sees them and places them in a way that gives them new life and purpose. Praise be to God forever!" Boring concluded in her statement.
To see more on the Global Loneliness Awareness Week Summit and how Boring helped promote the platform during the national event, click HERE.
Boring and many others facing their own struggles with mental health can be found on multiple social media outlets, including the Only7Seconds Instagram page, which can be found HERE.
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