As a former collegiate basketball player and team captain, Ivan knows firsthand how quickly performance, identity, and wellbeing can collide—especially after injury. When a season-ending injury derailed his junior year, he eventually sought support through his school’s sports psychologist and learned he was dealing with depression and an identity crisis. What stood out most wasn’t just his experience—it was what he discovered around him: teammates were quietly struggling, but almost no one was getting help. That gap inspired The Zone: a more efficient, scalable way for athletic departments to deliver proactive mental wellness support to every athlete, not just the ones who raise their hand.