Athletes today have more tools than ever to train physically. From advanced strength programs to sport-specific coaching and performance technology, young competitors are surrounded by resources designed to help them improve their game.
But while physical training has evolved rapidly, another critical piece of the athlete experience often receives far less attention: mental and emotional wellness.
Organizations like The Nebraska Greats Foundation (NGF) and SheMate are working in different ways to ensure athletes are supported through those challenges. Not only during their playing careers, but long after the final game.
While NGF provides assistance to current and former athletes facing medical or financial hardships, SheMate focuses on mentorship and mental wellness for the next generation of women in sports.
Together, they represent a shared belief: athletes deserve support at every stage of life.
SheMate: Creating a Stronger Future for Women in Sports Through Mentorship and Mental Wellness
SheMate is working to fill that gap by giving these athletes access to meaningful mentorship and holistic wellness support.
Founded in 2023 by Nebraska native Teresa Friesen, SheMate connects young female athletes with accomplished women in sports through structured virtual mentorship groups designed to build confidence, resilience, and community.
“At every level of sport, athletes are developing physically,” Friesen explains. “But they also need tools to navigate the mental side of competition and life.”
Through virtual mentoring and wellness groups led by successful women in sports, SheMate connects young athletes with role models who understand the challenges of competitive athletics. These mentors include college, professional, Olympic, and Paralympic athletes who guide participants through topics like identity, pressure, leadership, and life beyond sport.
The goal is simple but powerful: help athletes navigate their present and future in healthy, intentional, and strategic ways.
Friesen’s inspiration for the platform came from years of working in school and clinical settings and teaching as a college professor. Throughout her career, she repeatedly saw a common issue: young people (especially athletes) lacked access to the mental and emotional tools needed to thrive.
During the pandemic, that need became even more obvious.
Isolation, uncertainty, and the sudden disruption of sports left many athletes without the community structures they relied on. Friesen began asking a critical question:
How can technology help bridge the gap in mentorship and wellness support for athletes?
The answer became SheMate.
Through SheMate, young athletes gain access to those tools, and to the women who have already walked the path they’re beginning.
What the Name “SheMate” Represents
At its core, SheMate is about community.
The name reflects the idea of teammates who support each other, not only during competition, but throughout life.
While representation of women in sports continues to improve, there is still a significant need for positive visibility and leadership opportunities for female athletes.
SheMate is working to change that narrative by placing women athletes front and center as mentors.
The organization partners with college, professional, Olympic, and Paralympic athletes who lead virtual mentorship sessions for younger athletes across the country.
These mentors share their experiences navigating the pressures of sport, offering honest conversations about the challenges they’ve faced and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
For young athletes, the opportunity to hear directly from women who have competed at the highest levels can be transformative.
A Shared Commitment to Athlete Well-Being
Although SheMate and the Nebraska Greats Foundation serve athletes at different stages of life, their missions are deeply connected.
Both organizations recognize that athletes are more than competitors.
They are individuals whose experiences in sports shape their futures, their identities, and their ability to navigate life’s challenges.
NGF’s work supporting former athletes demonstrates the importance of community long after a career ends.
SheMate’s mentorship programs help young athletes build the mental strength and support systems that may carry them through those later years.
Together, these efforts highlight a powerful message: supporting athletes means looking beyond the scoreboard.
Inside the Mentorship Experience
SheMate’s programs are designed to be structured, interactive, and accessible.
Most teams participate in a five-session virtual mentorship series where athletes meet with different mentors throughout the program.
Each session includes:
A small group of athletes
One or two women athlete mentors
A trained facilitator guiding the conversation
By the end of the program, participants have interacted with multiple mentors, each offering unique insights about competition, leadership, and life beyond sport.
Topics often include:
Handling pressure and performance anxiety
Balancing athletics with school or future careers
Developing leadership and confidence
Navigating the transition from high school to college athletics
Preparing for life after competition
The structure also allows for authentic conversations that athletes may not always feel comfortable having with coaches or teammates.
Friesen emphasizes that facilitators play an important role in creating a supportive environment, ensuring mentors can focus on sharing their experiences while the discussion remains thoughtful and productive.
Addressing the Mental Side of Sport
One of the most important aspects of SheMate’s work is helping athletes recognize that mental challenges are a normal part of competition.
While coaches are highly skilled at developing athletic performance, they may not always have the time or resources to address the emotional challenges athletes face.
Those challenges can include:
Fear of failure
Identity tied to performance
Pressure from competition and expectations
Anxiety surrounding injuries or setbacks
Uncertainty about life after sports
NIL deals
These pressures often intensify during major transitions, particularly when athletes move from high school to college athletics.
Rather than focusing solely on performance, the program encourages athletes to think about their broader growth as individuals.
A Growing Network of Women in Sports
Since its founding in 2023, SheMate has already supported hundreds of female athletes through its mentorship programs.
The organization continues to expand its reach, partnering with schools, teams, and clubs across the country while maintaining strong connections in Nebraska.
As the platform grows, Friesen hopes SheMate will continue building a nationwide community where women in sports support each other across generations.
Because while competition may define an athlete’s early years, the relationships and lessons developed through sport can shape the rest of their lives.
And through mentorship, SheMate is helping ensure those lessons are shared.
To learn more about SheMate please visit: https://www.shemate.club/
