To kick off Mental Health Awareness Month, ISNation is proud to introduce a rebrand and new focus that reflects the heart of who we are and where we’re going:
Start with Love.
This campaign marks an important evolution for ISNation. While our mission has always been to break the silence in sports and help athletes feel seen, “Start with Love” gives that mission a clear, daily starting point—something every athlete, coach, and parent can carry into their environment.
Because the reality is, too many athletes are still leading with something else.
Pressure.
Perfection.
Fear of getting it wrong.
If you’ve ever felt like your performance defines you… if you’ve ever been scared to make a mistake in front of your team… you’re not the only one. These are the quiet thoughts athletes carry, and they often go unspoken.
ISNation exists to change that.
Through daily habits, real stories, and a community built on connection, ISNation is designed to remind athletes they are never alone—and that their worth goes far beyond performance.
“Start with Love” builds directly on that belief. It’s a simple but powerful idea: when you begin from a place of trust, care, and connection—both with yourself and with others—you perform freer, grow stronger, and stay in the game longer.
It’s not about lowering standards. It’s about changing where those standards come from. It’s about changing your definition of success to one that will stay with you for the rest of your life.
Introducing the Lead With Love Award
To kick off this campaign, ISNation is also launching a new initiative that brings this philosophy to life in a tangible way: the Lead With Love Award.
This award represents ISNation’s highest honor, recognizing coaches who are shaping athletes not just through performance, but through relationships and long-term impact.
A coach who leads with love is someone who:
Sees the person before the player
Builds trust through consistent connection
Holds high standards while showing deep care
Leaves a legacy that extends far beyond wins and losses
In a sports culture that often prioritizes results above all else, this award highlights a different model of leadership—one that develops the whole person.
Watch the Lead With Love award video on YouTube or Instagram.
The 2026 Inaugural Recipients
To launch the Lead With Love Award, ISNation is honoring two coaches whose impact cannot be separated: Cindy Timchal and Cathy Reese.
Their story reflects exactly what this award is meant to celebrate—not just individual success, but the way leadership is passed from one person to another.
Cathy Reese began her career as a player under Cindy Timchal at the University of Maryland, where they won multiple national championships together. After her playing career, she stayed on as an assistant before eventually becoming the head coach of the same program.
But what Cindy gave Cathy went far beyond a system or a strategy.
She gave her a standard:
A belief that athletes are people first
A belief that accountability and care go hand in hand
A belief that a coach’s true legacy is measured in the lives they impact
Cathy carried that standard forward and built one of the most successful programs in the sport. Today, her players describe her in much the same way she describes Cindy—not just as a coach, but as someone who helped shape who they are.
That ripple effect is exactly what the Lead With Love Award exists to recognize. It’s not about a single moment or achievement. It’s about a legacy that continues through relationships, long after the final whistle.
A Campaign Rooted in Action
“Start with Love” is not just a message—it’s a daily practice.
For athletes, it might look like giving yourself space after a mistake instead of tearing yourself down.
For coaches, it might mean checking in with an athlete beyond their performance.
For parents, it might be creating an environment where support comes before pressure.
Small moments like these are where culture actually changes.
ISNation is building tools, content, and experiences around this idea—helping athletes turn connection into a habit, not just a concept. Because real growth doesn’t come from one big moment. It’s built through small, consistent actions over time.
It StartsWith Us
This Mental Health Awareness Month, ISNation is inviting the entire sports community to be part of this shift
A shift away from fear-based performance, and a shift toward connection, trust, and long-term growth.
It starts with how we show up.
It starts with what we lead with.
It starts with love.
