NBA champion Kevin Love, founder of the mental health nonprofit the Kevin Love Fund, shares lessons from his mental health journey and how openness inspires change on and off the court.
How do you balance the pressures of performance and personal well-being?
It’s something I’ve had to learn the hard way over time. For a long stretch of my career, I didn’t balance it well. I was focused solely on performance — on wins, stats, and living up to expectations. Eventually, that pressure built up in a way that became too much to carry. I had a panic attack during a game, and that was a turning point for me. It forced me to step back and re-evaluate how I was taking care of myself, not just as an athlete, but as a person.
Now, balance comes from being intentional. I work on my mental health the same way I work on my physical game, through therapy, mindfulness, routines, and staying connected with people who support me off the court. I’ve learned that vulnerability isn’t weakness; it’s actually a form of strength. Speaking up and asking for help gave me a new kind of confidence, and that’s what I try to pass on through the Kevin Love Fund. Mental well-being is ongoing. It takes effort and honesty, but it’s absolutely essential if we want to perform at our best and live a meaningful life.
What advice would you give to men who feel pressured to “man up” and hide their emotions?
I’d tell them this: You don’t have to carry it all alone, and you shouldn’t have to. The idea that being a man means bottling things up, toughing it out, or pretending everything’s fine, it’s not just outdated, it’s dangerous. I bought into that mindset for years. I thought I had to be strong all the time, that showing emotion or asking for help made me weak. The truth is, opening up saved my life.
My advice is to start small. Talk to one person you trust. Be honest about how you’re really doing. It doesn’t have to be dramatic, just real. The more we speak up, the more we give others permission to do the same. That’s how we start changing the culture.
It takes courage to be vulnerable. It takes strength to face what’s going on inside. However, when you do, you’ll realize you’re not alone, and that’s a powerful thing. We need to normalize that emotional pain is pain, just like a broken leg or a torn ACL. You wouldn’t ignore that, so don’t ignore what’s going on mentally or emotionally either. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
What are some mental health practices that help you stay grounded today?
There are a few core practices that really help keep me grounded, and they’ve become non-negotiables in my life, just like training or recovery.
First, therapy has been a game-changer. Having a space where I can talk honestly, without judgment, helps me process everything — the pressure, the highs and lows, the personal stuff. It gives me perspective and tools to manage stress in real time.
Second, I rely a lot on routines. I start my mornings with some form of mindfulness, whether that’s breathwork, journaling, or just five minutes of stillness. That sets the tone for my day and helps me stay centered no matter what’s going on around me.
I also prioritize sleep, nutrition, and movement, not just for physical health, but because they directly impact my mood and mental clarity. Also, staying connected with the people in my life — friends, family, teammates. They keep me emotionally grounded.
Lastly, I try to practice gratitude. Even in tough moments, there’s value in slowing down and reminding myself what I’m thankful for. It shifts my mindset and helps me focus on what matters most. Mental fitness is just like physical fitness, it’s about consistency, awareness, and showing up for yourself every day.
How has sharing your story impacted your relationships with teammates and fans?
Sharing my story was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done, but it ended up being one of the most powerful. When I first opened up about my mental health struggles, especially that panic attack during a game, I didn’t know how people would react. I was worried it might change how teammates saw me, or how others viewed me as a competitor. But, the opposite happened.
My relationships with teammates actually got stronger. It opened the door to real conversations, not just about basketball, but about life. Guys started sharing their own experiences, their own pressures. It created a deeper level of trust and understanding in the locker room, and I think that’s made us better teammates and better men.
With fans, the response has been overwhelming in the best way. I’ve heard from people around the world who say my story made them feel seen or gave them the courage to ask for help. That’s incredibly humbling. It reminded me that this platform I’ve been given isn’t just about the game, it’s about using my voice to break down stigma and let people know it’s okay to not be okay. That kind of connection is bigger than basketball.
What’s next for the Kevin Love Fund? Are there any upcoming partnerships or initiatives you’re excited about?
What’s next for the Kevin Love Fund is something I’m incredibly excited about. We’ve just launched our Athlete Mental Health Program, a free, evidence-based curriculum designed to help athletes explore their identities beyond sport and strengthen their mental and emotional well-being.
This initiative is close to my heart because I know firsthand how hard it is to separate who you are from what you do on the court. For years, I believed my worth was tied to my performance. However, that mindset can be damaging, especially for young athletes who are just beginning to shape their sense of self. That’s why we built this curriculum — to give coaches, educators, and athletic staff the tools to support athletes as people first.
The program includes lessons on identity development, managing performance anxiety, and encouraging emotional expression. It’s designed for athletes from middle school to college, and it’s a completely free program, so there’s no barrier to entry. We want this to be accessible, practical, and transformative, helping athletes build confidence in who they are beyond the game.
This is just the beginning. Our goal at the Kevin Love Fund is to create long-lasting change in the way we talk about and support mental health, and this new curriculum is a huge step forward in that mission.
