The Chase

Episode 50: Brad Ring (Former Major League Soccer player)

🎙 In this episode: I talk with Brad Ring--former MLS midfielder, Indiana University standout, and now a passionate voice for athlete mental health with OnRise. From youth soccer glory to the quiet battles behind the scenes, Brad shares what the highlight reels leave out.

🔹 The Kid Who Dreamed Big
Brad’s dream of going pro started early--and shaped everything. That dream came with joy… and missed birthdays, weddings, and normal kid stuff.

🔹 From IU to the MLS
Drafted 17th overall in 2009, Brad’s pro debut was delayed a full year due to injury—an early lesson in the mental toll of the game.

🔹 Always on to the Next Thing
Even in peak moments, Brad says he never felt like he “made it.” The pro athlete mindset: keep pushing, never pause. But at what cost?

🔹 A Game of Sacrifice
Brad opens up about the hyper-serious world of youth soccer—how quickly the fun can turn into pressure, and why the kid has to be the driver.

🔹 The Double Life
While soccer was intense and demanding, Brad found joy and freedom in other sports. We talk about what’s lost in early specialization.

🔹 Stats That Should Alarm You
30% of college students struggle with mental health. For athletes, only 10% seek help. Brad explains why the stigma still runs deep.

🔹 The Myth of Mental Toughness
Athletes are taught to move on, forget, compartmentalize. Brad challenges that narrative—and what it really means to be resilient.

🔹 Unionizing for Change
Brad helped organize a players' union for second-division pros. Because advocating for mental health also means protecting basic rights.

🔹 Perspective on the Sidelines
Now coaching his son’s youth team, Brad is focused on balance: “Big games will come… but not every Saturday needs to feel like the World Cup.”

🔹 From Pro Athlete to Purpose-Driven
Brad’s work with OnRise is all about helping athletes manage the mental game—because peak performance starts with healthy minds.

🔥 Plus: A Hot Take on high school reunions—why some people can’t wait, and others pretend they never happened.