Jennifer Leonhardt is a collegiate softball player and has been playing since she was five years old. 

Throughout the duration of her career, there have undoubtedly been times where her mental health has felt like it is taking a toll on her health. However, the benefits that softball has given her athletically and in life largely outweigh the stress.

As with any sport, there is usually a guarantee of stress and pressure for athletes. Whether it is put on them by their own doing or someone else, it does have an impact. Yet, softball has a way of impacting women by giving a sense of confidence and family that some may not have ever experienced otherwise.

How long have you been playing softball? 

“I’ve been playing softball since I was about 6, and started t-ball at 5!” 

Was there ever a time when you took a break because you felt like you had to mentally or physically?

“I’ve never flat out taken a long break from softball, but I’ve had times where I’ve needed to take the day away from it. I was a biology major in undergrad so there were times where I was very stressed with school. I took it very seriously and my coaches knew that as well. I can remember a few occasions I went up to coach and said, ‘I really don’t think I’ll benefit from practice today, I’m very stressed about life outside of this field, I need the day to catch up.’ There’s a difference between being stressed and using your sport as an outlet, and the days where your feeling of dedication to the sport feels like added stress. And I also believe that’s a place where coaches need to know their athletes and understand what’s right for their mental health.” 

Have you ever known that you need to give yourself a break but you didn’t?

“I want to say no, but yes. As a captain on a team, you don’t want to miss out on workouts or practices because your teammates look up to you. You don’t want to look like you’re not committed to your team. However, I think it does send a strong [positive] example of knowing you need to do something for your mental health even if it means sacrificing an event with the team.”

What are some of your proudest accomplishments that you have had throughout your softball career?

“Helping my team win the 2018 DII National Championship was one of the best times in my career. Looking back, we had so much fun and were playing the best softball we ever had. I truly felt strong and confident. Being recognized as the Most Outstanding Player at the tournament was just the cherry on top. Since Covid ended my career at the University of Southern Indiana early, I thought I would never play softball again collegiately since I was moving on to go to dental school. The University of Louisville’s coaching staff asked me to play and I have this amazing opportunity to play for my hometown team while also attending my dream dental school. When times get hard, I remind myself that I’m really living this life and I’m so proud that I took this chance on another year of softball and putting my body through a lot to get back into it.” 

COVID-19 has affected everyone in numerous ways. Do you think that it has taken a toll on your mental and physical health? If so, how did you deal with it?

“COVID has absolutely taken a toll on my mental and physical health. I was heartbroken when I realized I wouldn’t get to play another game with my two best friends that were also seniors with me. Not to mention I wouldn’t get to finish out my senior year or even walk across the stage at graduation. Some of the most exciting moments in my life were gone with a single tweet from the NCAA. But I’m very thankful that I was able to come home and be with my family. I’ve lived a busy life being a student athlete for as long as I could remember, so when will I ever get another time to just do nothing like we did in quarantine. It took a lot of counting my blessings and being grateful for what I have to keep my mind from straying and thinking about what I would rather be doing.” 

“As far as physically….man was I out of shape. The first bullpen I threw after taking 6 months off was rough. I could hardly get through the warm up. But here I am 6 months after that and I’m probably better than I was before. It really made me appreciate getting in shape and seeing how far I’ve come.”

Did you ever have a time throughout your life where you felt like things would be easier or better if you stopped or took a break from what you were doing athletically? Why did you feel like you should stop or take a break?

“Being an athlete requires you to make so many sacrifices. Hanging out with friends, having free time, seeing family…it’s all limited when you are committed to a team. Of course, there were times when I thought “man it would be [a good] time to not have to practice this weekend”. But I never really thought my life would be better without softball. It’s given me a lot of my friends, provided me with an education, and has given me so many moments that I can’t wait to tell my kids about one day. I don’t think any other part of life thus far has given me as much strength and confidence in myself that softball has.”

Do you ever think about what your life will look like after softball? Does it give you anxiety thinking about it? 

“I often think about life post-softball. My situation is interesting because after our season was canceled in 2020, I thought I was living that life. I thought I would never play again. It wasn’t a good first glimpse into life after softball because it was in the middle of a pandemic, but it was interesting. I am so thankful that I am getting to finish out my sport this year, but I still think about next year. I want to stay involved in softball one way or another, but I want to try new things. Maybe a workout class, a new hobby…who knows! But I am scared that I will never find my belonging in something else quite like I felt it in softball.”

Written by Kathryn Schreiber.