Mindfuletes is an organization dedicated to advocating for the mental health of youth athletes. Their mission is to break the stigma surrounding mental health and youth sports by providing resources, support, and education tailored for young athletes and their communities. More and more athletes are coming forward to share that everyone is going through something. From Kevin Love, Naomi Osaki and Michael Phelps to JJ Mccarthey, Simone Biles and Demar Derozan it's becoming clear that mental health is just as important as physical health to compete at the highest level.
Mindfuletes was founded by Griffin Looney, college football commit, and a teenager that overcame his own mental health challenges. He felt it was important to create a dialogue from teenagers to teenagers rather than an adult. By providing engaging, expert insights, and empowering stories, his aim is to create a safe space where young athletes can openly discuss their feelings, seek help, and prioritize their mental well-being alongside their athletic pursuits
Join us for an evening that will discuss why early intervention is essential for building resilience and well-being to help young athletes reach their full potential on and off the field.
Loopwell is very proud to host this important initiative.
Free Community Event
Speakers
Griffin Looney
Griffin Looney is a current student at Glen Ridge High School and founder of Mindfuletes. He's committed to play Division III football for Franklin and Marshall College in the Fall of 2025. The motivating reason for starting Mindufeltes was because of his deep passion for Mental Health as a result of his own journey as a young multi-sport athlete—a path marked by intense pressure, overwhelming expectations, and a pervasive silence surrounding mental health.
Griffin's mission is to provide a platform where youth athletes can feel connected and heard, a sanctuary where mental health is prioritized and respected. Mindfuletes aims to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health in sports, particularly for male athletes, and create an environment where vulnerability is not only accepted but celebrated.
Matt McMahon
Matt McMahon is a Two-time champion defender and a PLL professional lacrosse player and defenseman for nine years for both the Utah Archers and the Ohio Machine.
In 2017 McMahon was named to the All-MLL team and finished top three in Defender of the Year voting. McMahon was pivotal in the league’s best-scoring defense.
McMahon’s humble approach stems from the men who helped him grow throughout his career playing the game. “Throughout my career, I’ve never been a star player and, on many teams, not even an obvious starter on day one,” said McMahon. “I’ve been very fortunate that my will to improve was met with exceptional coaches who believed in me. My longevity was a result of great coaching more than anything else.” Matt believes the impact coaches and teammates have on each other extends well beyond the field building excellent humans is profound. Prior to his professional career, Matt was a standout player at UPenn, a Wharton Business School Grad, and a proud Ridger. He is currently the Vice President of Sebana, a pioneer in the renewable energy industry.
Billy Ward
Billy Ward is a TEDx Speaker, educator and counselor, well-being expert, coach, father, and ex-NFL athlete. He has positively influenced the lives of hundreds of young men on the Seton Hall Prep campus and through Kairos retreats.
Billy Ward graduated from Georgetown University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. In addition to his education at Georgetown, he was a four-year starting quarterback for the Hoyas and still is the record holder there for all-time leading passing yards. After graduating, Ward spent a short time fulfilling his NFL dream by playing with the Baltimore Ravens.
Billy was instrumental in developing retreats at Seton Hall where he helped young participants at the school find themselves and become more comfortable showing and expressing emotions. Outside of the classroom, Billy Ward opened up his own practice counseling individuals as well. While viewing life from all these different perspectives and being a father of two boys, Ward has looked to answer the question of how we can live life more fully. He believes that the answer to that question is love.
Though Billy Ward works with people of all ages, his mantra remains the same, love. When I was discussing the idea of love with Mr. Ward, he expressed a great point when saying, “I don’t think the love thing ever ends, you know? I think that it is something we have to continue to be aware of and put into action. How am I going to respond in a loving way to this because, in the end, it is going to feel the best for me?” Billy is currently leading a well-being movement teaching people about the benefits of breathwork and meditation and how to open yourself up to your fellow man.
Adam Torrisi
Adam is a coach, and LCSW clinical therapist. And an expert on mental health for young athletes.
Adam transitioned as a student-athlete at Montclair State on the men's lacrosse team to eventually become the associate head coach for the Montclair State University Men's lacrosse team, where he helped lead the team to 3 straight appearances in the NCAA Division III Tournament. He also served as an assistant coach at Glen Ridge High School and was head coach of the NJ Riot lacrosse club.
Adam has been in education and educational leadership for 20 years. He began his career in the Student Assistance Program in Bernards Township and then worked with adolescents in the Bernards Township Department of Special Services. He has served as a middle school Vice Principal in Basking Ridge for the past ten years. Adam is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who works with clients experiencing anxiety, stress, and depression, as well as managing social, performance, and professional issues. Adam also has extensive experience working one-on-one with college and high school athletes experiencing performance anxiety and performance consistency issues. He has worked with teams, professional organizations, and law enforcement agencies to address team dynamics and group culture. He has developed a reputation as an empathetic and practical resource helping clients better understand themselves and the experiences they are going through, and develop a skill set to address current and future challenges. He is currently practicing at Montclair Behavioral Health and Wellness.