From Athlete Mindset Spotify Channel:
In this episode of Athlete Mindset, host Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC, shares space with Angela Lee Pucci, a retired professional MMA fighter, six-time MMA world champion, and founder of Fight Story. Angela opens up about her journey from the world of combat sports to becoming a mental health advocate. She shares her personal experiences with suicide, including her own attempt in 2017 and the loss of her sister, Victoria, by suicide in 2022. The conversation explores the pressures of professional fighting, the importance of mental health awareness in combat sports, and how Fight Story aims to revolutionize the industry by providing support and resources for fighters’ mental and physical well-being.
This is the Athlete Mindset podcast, which is about mental health in sports. It is presented and produced by SportsE Media as part of the podcast network.
“Angela Lee Pucci’s Fight Story | A Mental Health Revolution” Highlights:
- Angela’s background in martial arts and her journey to becoming an MMA world champion at age 19
- The intense pressure of weight cutting and its impact on mental health in combat sports
- Angela’s personal experience with a suicide attempt in 2017 and how it shaped her perspective on mental health
- The profound loss of her sister Victoria by suicide and its impact on Angela’s life and career
- The founding of Fight Story, a nonprofit organization dedicated to mental health awareness in combat sports
- The importance of changing the narrative around mental health and “mental toughness” in athletics
- Angela’s transition from professional fighting to advocacy and her mission to help others through Fight Story
- The significance of open conversations about mental health and providing support for athletes
