Imagine a world where the term 'student athlete' is irrelevant and college sports have been commercialized. Is it a utopia where athletes, like their professional counterparts, are fairly compensated for their skills and effort? Or is it a dystopia where values and education take a back seat to monetary gains? Our producer, Taylor Brown, joins us as we traverse through this fascinating landscape of 'what ifs'.

We begin by scrutinizing the origins of the 'student athlete' term and the NCAA's NIL regulations. The recent Supreme Court ruling opens a Pandora's box of arguments and counterarguments, backed by the harsh reality that over half a million college athletes may never benefit from this shift. Our debate then steers towards the monetization of college sports, and we ponder on its possible implications for the players. Could paying college athletes potentially upend their focus and resilience? How does this conversation fit within the larger discourse of rising college costs and free education? These are just a few of the questions we tackle in our discussion.

Finally, we take a detour and delve into the seldom-explored intersection of college sports and mindfulness. Challenging ourselves and you, our listeners, to question our wants versus our needs in the capitalist framework of college sports. We also explore how compassion and interconnectedness can be a tool in supporting those less fortunate in this landscape. This episode isn't just about debating the pay structure for college athletes. It's about understanding the ethical, emotional, and socio-economic facets of this complex issue, from a perspective of mindfulness and generosity. Join us on this journey of discovery as we untangle this enigma that is college sports.

Social Media Mentioned:

Twitter: @mindfulsportdoc

Instagram: @mindful_sport_podcast,  @mspe_institute

YouTube: Mindful Sport Performance Podcast

Websites Mentioned:

www.mindfulsportperformance.org

www.enduromind.com

Books Mentioned

Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement

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Very much appreciated, 

Keith, Tim, and Taylor (our producer!) 

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