“I’m excited to focus on Beth outside of soccer, because it’s more important than who Beth the soccer player is,” VIS Mentor and Racing Louisville forward Bethany Balcer wrote. 

Balcer announced after the opening weekend of the NWSL that she would be taking a break for her mental health. This decision isn’t an easy one for an elite women athlete to make—especially in today’s hustle culture. 

Elite women athletes are criticized for stepping away from their sport. Their struggles are diminished. People say that athletes get paid to kick, shoot, hit, or catch a ball—why do they need a break from a backyard activity? 

But critics don’t consider the caliber of athletics that these women achieve each and every day. They don’t consider the anxieties, stress, and pressure placed on elite athletes. And they don’t consider the real person behind the athlete. 

When the pressure, anxiety, or stress becomes too much, athletes need a break, just like anyone else would. Just like when we’re injured, sometimes the best thing we can do is to take time off from our sport when we feel overwhelmed.

“I’m excited to focus on Beth outside of soccer, because it’s more important than who Beth the soccer player is”

VIS Mentor Bethany Balcer

Balcer’s Break

After the opening weekend of this year’s NWSL season, the 2019 NWSL Rookie of the Year announced via her Instagram that she would be taking a mental health break to focus on herself. 

“I’ve always preached that when soccer is no longer fun, and you don’t find joy in doing it, something needs to change,” Balcer wrote in a post on March 19. “While that is a sad thing to admit, I’m excited to focus on Beth outside of soccer, because it’s more important than who Beth the soccer player is.” 

As an advocate for mental health Balcer has never been shy to share the highs and lows of her experience as a professional athlete. She uses her master’s degree in counseling and her platform to give advice on topics ranging from body image to performance anxiety. 

Breaking the Stigma 

Taking a mental health break at the beginning of the season shows strength from Balcer and demonstrates the NWSL’s commitment to allow players space to care for their mental health. 

The 2022 NWSL Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) first introduced the policy that would allow players up to six-months of paid mental health leave. The league’s stance towards player safety was bolstered by the 2024 CBA which made it mandatory for teams to hire a licensed mental health provider and a certified performance consultant.

Since then, players like Balcer, Syndey Leroux, and Imani Dorsey have announced their breaks to focus on mental health.

“I know I’m not alone in how I feel so my prayer is that this gives someone hope”

VIS Mentor Bethany Balcer

Balcer’s Return

Balcer returned to the pitch after the NWSL’s mid-season break, being named as a substitute in Louisville’s Aug. 1 matchup against league-leaders Kansas City Current. Since her return, Balcer has played in 10 games this season, scoring one goal and having one assist. 

Yet, just because Balcer took time away from the game, doesn’t mean her mental health was magically fixed. 

“I still have anxiety, “ Balcer wrote in an Instagram post on Aug. 26 about her return. “And while my perspective has shifted a lot since coming back, it can be exhausting to constantly compartmentalize your thoughts to be present, be a good teammate, and still show up everyday.” 

Balcer’s lone goal this season came in a clutch moment as she scored in the 93rd minute to tie the Chicago Stars on Oct. 10. The result gave her team vital points as they look to secure a playoff spot for the first time in club history. 

Her goal in the final minutes of the game was a testament to the work Balcer has put in to protect her mental health. 

Balcer and Racing Louisville’s playoff hopes will come down to the final game of the regular season as they play Bay FC on Nov. 1. Yet, regardless of the result and whether Balcer plays a full 90 minutes or watches from the sidelines, she knows that her worth goes beyond how well she kicks a soccer ball. 

“I know I’m not alone in how I feel so my prayer is that this gives someone hope,” Balcer continued in her Aug. 26 post. “To remind them that their worth is not defined by how many minutes they get or what a coach says about them. That they have infinite value and the world is seeing a small part of that. Life is so much more than the 90 minutes on (or off) the field.” 

When sport feels overwhelming, think about Balcer’s bravery. Think about why you began playing in the first place. And think about your future. 

Taking a break might be the best way to preserve your love for the sport and stay in the game for the rest of your career.