San Francisco, Super Bowl Week
2026
and the Work That Matters Most
San Francisco gave me a full week of moments that were fun, meaningful, and honestly a little surreal. I was there as a NAMI Ambassador during Super Bowl week, and I had the chance to spend time with Dan Gillison, NAMI’s CEO, across several events where mental health was not just a “nice to have” conversation, it was part of the point.
When you’re in spaces like that, you see something clearly, people want to talk about mental health. They just need a reason to start, and they need leaders and community voices to make it normal. That’s what this week felt like. A series of doors opening so people could finally say, “Yeah, me too,” or “I’ve been worried about my friend,” or “My job is breaking me down and I don’t know what to do next.”
Podcast
"Stay A While"
Tommi Vincent
One of the highlights of my trip was being interviewed by Tommi Vincent for her podcast, “Stay A While.”
We talked about the work I’m doing to address mental health in the workplace, and what it looks like when your career is “fine” on paper but your nervous system is exhausted in real life.
The workplace piece matters to me because so many people spend most of their waking hours managing pressure, personalities, expectations, and stress. Then we act surprised when they burn out, shut down, or disappear.
Brunch
NFL Wives Association
Off The Field
I also had the opportunity to spend time with the NFL Wives Association and their nonprofit, Off The Field. There’s something powerful about being around women who understand the unique pressures of life in and around professional sports, and who are committed to using their platform for good.
NAMI partnered with Off The Field at several events during Super Bowl week to help keep mental health front and center, and I was grateful to be part of that energy in the room.
Super Bowl Breakfast
Bart Starr Award
Christian McCaffrey
And then there was the Super Bowl Breakfast. Over 1,000 people in one space, all there for a morning that blended football, leadership, faith, and purpose.
Christian McCaffrey received the 2026 Bart Starr Award, which recognizes character and leadership on and off the field.
Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of State and a minority owner of the Cleveland Browns, shared insights about her career and her love of football.
Podcast
"Inside The Lines"
Atoya Burleson
Another special moment was joining “Inside The Lines” with Atoya Burleson and her husband, Nate Burleson, former NFL athlete and current co-host on CBS Mornings.
We talked about NAMI and my dedication to being a mental health advocate. Conversations like that matter because advocacy is not one speech or one post. It’s repetition. It’s showing up again and again until the topic stops feeling “other” and starts feeling normal.