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CINCINNATI (WCMH) — The topic of mental health has come a long way in recent years, but it remains a difficult topic in the world of sports. Brandon Saho is trying to change that on his podcast, but first he had to face his own demons.
Two years ago, Saho was doing everything he wanted to do, including covering sports for WLWT, the NBC affiliate in his hometown of Cincinnati.
“I've always been a huge sports geek and loved sports,” Saho said. “I've wanted to be a sports reporter since I was 12 years old, so it really felt like a dream come true.”
However, behind the smile on camera, Sabo had lived a dark life for many years and felt lonely. He first felt suicidal thoughts when he was 14 and a freshman in high school. Fifteen years later, Saho is facing the end of a relationship and conflict at his job.
“I hit rock bottom during what, from the outside, should have been the best moment of my life. I'm covering the Bengals going to the Super Bowl, my childhood team,” Saho said. Ta. “For three months, I was suicidal every day. And people didn't know that I lost three family members in three months.”
So Sabo decided to seek help. “I didn't know how to live anymore, so I called my therapist and asked her to admit me to a hospital here in Cincinnati,” Saho said.
Thanks to therapy, Sabo is getting better. Once his dark thoughts subsided, he eventually quit his job and poured his energy into his new venture. “What if I combined my passion for journalism with mental health? That's where the idea for 'Mental Games' was born,” Saho said.
“The Mental Game” is a podcast where Saho discusses mental health with athletes and celebrities. His first guest was his longtime friend, current Bengals defensive end and former Buckeye Sam Hubbard.
“We did an interview. He said, 'Yeah, I think that would work.' I think that could help people.” 'I mean, this wouldn't have been an issue if Sam hadn't become my test dummy,' Saho said.
Since the podcast's inception, Saho has spoken with celebrities such as actor Terry Crews and, more recently, another former Buckeye, ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit, in the past two years.
“[Herbstreit’s] As a sophomore at Ohio State, he started going to therapy and continued to do so for the next three years, even when the Buckeyes brought in a team psychiatrist,'' Saho said. “He told me to watch over his shoulder to make sure no one saw him enter the office.”
After recovering from his own mental health issues, Saho found his way back behind the microphone with a new platform. He is in the process of moving to Los Angeles, hoping to be closer to more sports stars and Hollywood celebrities. And he hopes his conversation will be helpful to others.
“That's my true purpose and I feel like it's exactly what I'm meant to do,” Saho said. “Now that more people are talking about this than ever before, I hope people won't be afraid to open up.”
