The Mental Game: A Conversation with Alison Hoodak 

Being a student-athlete comes with a unique set of challenges. Balancing academics, training, performance pressure, and the occasional injury are all aspects of college athletics. For Alison Hoodak, a freshman on the University of Nothern Colorado Track Team, the experience is rewarding and demanding. 

I had the chance to talk with Hoodak about her journey in college athletics so far. She provides a fresh perspective on the physical and mental challenges of sports and shares a unique story about the student-athlete experience. Hoodak is a sprinter and runs the 60, 100, 200, and 400-meter dash as well as various relays. 

Being a student-athlete comes with expectations on and off the track. With the added visibility that comes with the athlete role, maintaining a positive image is almost second nature. 

“We’re held to a higher standard, especially in public settings because there are more eyes on us,” Hoodak said. 

College athletics isn’t just about competing well, it’s about representing their school, team, and the sport they play. Responsibility comes with its own set of pressures. Stress is an inevitable part of the experience. 

Every athlete experiences anxiety and performance pressures differently. For some, it’s easier to maintain composure in a relaxed and focused setting such as practice. Conversely, Hoodak finds it easier to manage nerves during competition than when she’s training. 

“When I’m competing, I’m a lot better at managing my mentality and not freaking out. If I’m having a bad day at practice, it’s a lot harder to keep myself in a positive headspace,” Hoodak said. 

One of the toughest battles an athlete can face is injury. Trine University published an article titled “Mentally Overcoming Injuries” stating that when an injury occurs, athletes who have not developed a healthy coping mechanism to deal with failure may feel like they failed themselves. This past indoor season, Hoodak experienced a hamstring injury that prevented her from competing in the first half of the season. 

“It was a battle to even show up every day since I was doing such easy rehab exercises instead of running and training. It felt like I wasn’t improving at all,” Hoodak said. 

Hoodak said she has always been used to pushing her limits, so adjusting to the slower pace of recovery was a process for her. Despite the hardship that injury brings, Hoodak reminds herself that progress isn’t always going to look the same. 

“Even if it doesn’t feel like I’m doing anything, I know I’m improving in some way. I might not be getting faster right now, but I’m getting stronger from when I first got injured,” Hoodak said. 

Coming back from injury is as much a mental challenge as a physical one. The process can be frustrating, and athletes often don’t have a perfect answer for the stress and anxiety that come with it. What matters is showing up, trusting the journey, and recognizing that every step forward, no matter how small, is still progress.