My name is Shae Buskohl. I am a Junior at the University of Dubuque in the Flight Operations major, as well as being a part of the baseball team. I attended Cedar Falls High School where I graduated in 2023. Ever since I can remember, baseball has been a part of my life. I fell in love with the game instantly. Being a baseball player became an identity of who I am, and it was always on my mind. That identity however, started to become a problem. My performance became a driving factor in my mood, my energy, and my interactions with other people. This started to wear down on my mental health and it was tough to continue to enjoy the game of baseball. It was hard to find a balance between life and baseball because I was constantly thinking about how I must perform well in the upcoming game. When I came to the University of Dubuque, it was a completely different story. The community that we have at the University is unlike any other. They encourage people to talk about their struggles and what they are going through. Not only do they listen, but they also try everything they can to help you. I am beyond grateful for my coaches, teammates, and friends that are around me that have helped me combat my struggles not only on the mental side, but the physical side as well. The strength and conditioning department taught me many things about the importance of good nutrition and that has helped me in many ways with baseball and my studies. Since I have made mental and physical health a priority, I have felt better in every aspect of my life, and I encourage everyone to utilize the many resources available to be able to combat any physical or mental struggles they may have.
