This is the latest story from Section XI student media member Keira Kenny from Ward Melville High School.
Recently, I had the opportunity to interview Leah Jantzen, the Mental Health Coach for student-athletes at Ward Melville High School. In addition to her work in mental health, Leah is a triathlete, which gives her a unique perspective on the psychological demands of athletics. During our conversation, I asked Coach Leah a series of questions about the importance of recognition and acknowledgment for young athletes—a topic she speaks about passionately with Ward Melville teams. As an athlete who has worked with her firsthand, I can confidently say that her perspective has the power to foster growth both on and off the field.
I began by asking, “How important is it for athletes—starters or not—to feel seen and acknowledged for their effort and growth?” Coach Leah did not hesitate. It is, she said, “100% the most important thing.” She explained that she is “a very big believer in praising effort, not outcomes.” According to Jantzen, recognition should be tied to commitment and work ethic, not skill level.
“I don’t care how good you are at a sport,” she said. “I care about how much effort you put into what you’re trying to do.”
This philosophy emphasizes dedication and perseverance over raw talent. She further noted, “Being seen is one of the most important things a teenager can experience,” reinforcing how even small acknowledgments can significantly impact an athlete’s confidence and motivation.
Building on that idea, I asked whether teams and organizations do enough to celebrate contributions that often go unnoticed, particularly during losing seasons. Jantzen believes there is still far too much emphasis on winning. While success is an understandable goal of varsity athletics, she stressed that teams should focus more on the “day-in and day-out foundations, the daily grind, and the process of getting ready to win,” rather than the outcome itself.
“If you praise the day-to-day things,” she explained, “the outcome of winning will take care of itself.” Too often, programs fixate on beating rivals, winning championships, or advancing to state tournaments. Even during difficult stretches, Coach Leah believes the priority should remain on growth, effort, and development—not the scoreboard.
While recognition within a program is vital, public praise introduces another layer of complexity. I asked Coach Leah how public recognition can affect an athlete’s mental well-being, both positively and negatively. She described it as “a mixed message,” noting that athletics are inherently a team effort.
“I think coaches sometimes praise one person too much,” she said, “when it’s really the effort of everybody.”
This led to a critical question: how can athletes stay motivated when their hard work goes unnoticed? Her answer was simple and powerful: “Do it for you.” Coach Leah encourages athletes to commit to their work for personal reasons rather than external validation.
“The minute you stop looking for acknowledgment from somewhere else, it won’t matter,” she explained. While public recognition can be rewarding, it is not essential. By shifting the mindset to “I’m doing this because I want to be proud of who I am as an athlete and what I put out there,” athletes can find fulfillment from within.
For those still developing this mindset, Coach Leah offered straightforward advice: “Keep working.” Even when athletes feel overlooked, perseverance remains key. “Find the motivation that works for you—not so someone will notice you, but because it means something to you,” she said.
Ultimately, the most important lesson she emphasized is the value of internal motivation. True worth does not come from awards, statistics, or public praise—it comes from self-belief and personal growth. When athletes find their own motivation, it becomes easier to enjoy the game and stop chasing outside validation.
Coach Leah closed with a message every athlete needs to hear: “Be patient, trust the process, and do it for you.”
