The Hidden Opponent

Hi, my name is Alex Peña, and I’m a 17-year-old high school student from Long Island, NY. I hope to pursue a career in sports medicine and psychology because sports and mental health have shaped my life.

Up until this year, I had played baseball for the majority of my life. I have many great memories and awards, but what sticks with me most are the struggles I faced behind closed doors. Those experiences took a lot of courage and strength to overcome. Even though I am no longer playing, I am always thinking about how I can give back to others who are struggling with similar challenges.

The reason I chose to support The Hidden Opponent is because of how closely our motivations align with each other. The Hidden Opponent is a non-profit advocacy group that raises awareness for student-athlete mental health and eliminates the stigma within sports culture.

Whether you are able to donate or simply share this page with friends and family, every contribution helps shed light on the mental challenges so many athletes carry in silence. 100% of the funds raised through this fundraiser will be donated directly to The Hidden Opponent to support its mission of improving student-athlete mental health. Thank you for your support!

Hi! This month, I’m turning every donation into miles, and every mile into a conversation we can’t keep ignoring.

Athletes are often seen as strong, resilient, and unstoppable. But behind the performance, many are quietly facing something else—stress, anxiety, depression, burnout. A “hidden opponent” that doesn’t show up on the scoreboard.

That's why, over the next 30 days, I’m raising money to support athlete mental health initiatives while partnering with "The Hidden Opponent", a nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking the stigma around athlete mental health, providing resources, and building a community where athletes feel seen, supported, and not alone. At the end of the month, I’ll be running a set number of miles for every dollar donated. The more we raise, the farther I go—and the louder this message becomes.

Every donation becomes its own challenge. Every mile I run represents one person choosing to stand up for athlete mental health.

Because this isn’t just about awareness, it’s about action. It’s about showing athletes that they don’t have to face the hidden opponent alone.

If you’ve ever been part of a team, supported an athlete, or struggled silently yourself—this is your chance to be part of something bigger.

Donate, share, or help start the conversation.

Together, we face The Hidden Opponent.

-Ryleigh Waldner

Want to join me in making a difference?

I'm raising money to benefit The Hidden Opponent, and any donation will help make an impact towards resources and support for student athlete mental health.

Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

More information about The Hidden Opponent: We are an accredited non-profit and advocacy group that raises awareness for student-athlete mental health and addresses the stigma within sports culture. We empower athletes around the world to face the hidden opponent together.

Want to join me in making a difference in student-athlete mental health? I'm running the Richmond Marathon on November 12th to raise money to benefit The Hidden Opponent, and any donation will help make an impact. As a former D1 and USA athlete, this organization means so much to me. Any donation, no matter the size will help support this organization!

More information about The Hidden Opponent: We are an accredited non-profit and advocacy group that raises awareness for student-athlete mental health and addresses the stigma within sports culture. We empower athletes around the world to face the hidden opponent together.

Every year the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Women's Soccer team chooses a cause to dedicate one of their games to. This year the chosen cause is mental health. All proceeds are being donated to the Hidden Opponent which is a non-profit organization that advocates, educates and supports student-athlete mental health. It was founded in 2019 by Victoria Garrick, a former Division I athlete. She shares her battles and creates a safe place to spread awareness and addresses the stigma within sports culture. The hidden opponent has different programs for student-athletes to create conversation, find support, and feel less shameful about their battles.

Mental health in general is a serious topic and is not talked about enough. In this past year, we have seen an increase in devastating mental health battles among athletes across the world. Educating, advocating, and supporting student-athletes during such demanding times is extremely valuable and helps lessen the stigma within sports culture.

https://www.thehiddenopponent.org/

Want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money to benefit The Hidden Opponent, and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

More information about The Hidden Opponent: We are an accredited non-profit and advocacy group that raises awareness for student-athlete mental health and addresses the stigma within sports culture. We empower athletes around the world to face the hidden opponent together.

As a mother of 4 of athletes, a high school guidance counselor and volleyball coach, an elite endurance athlete competing in triathlon, I understand firsthand the struggles that athletes contend with and the stigma associated with asking for help. I am on a mission to make mental health as regularly treated as a physical injury. 

Please join the Macalester Women's Soccer team as we work to raise money for The Hidden Opponent—a non-profit committed to raising awareness and advocating for student-athlete mental health and combatting mental health stigma in sports culture. Running a 5k a as team benefits THO and their causes, allows us to stay engaged with issues outside of ourselves, and connects us even as we are apart during the summer. Thank you in advance for your contributions and support of Mac Women's Soccer and student-athlete mental health!

As an ex-collegiate athlete who had her own mental health struggles, this project and fundraiser is close to my heart.

 

We’re extending the mental health conversation well beyond Mental Health Awareness Month. During the month of June, with the support of and collaboration of Rhone , I will be tackling a 5K every day to raise funds for The Hidden Opponent . We’re calling it the 5K Challenge for Mental Health.

 

While one can make a significant impact alone, we can make an even greater impact when we unite. Members of the Rhone team have committed to run (walk, bike or row) their own 5K this month, and we’re challenging you to do the same.

 

Commit to tackling your own 5K (or more!) during the month of June and if you can, I encourage you to make a donation of any amount (every penny counts!). Every single dollar raised will go directly to The Hidden Opponent to support their work and their mission.

 

Together, we can take strides to not only change the stigma around mental health in sport but to support collegiate athletes everywhere–mind, body and soul.

 

Don't forget to join our 5K Challenge for Mental Health Strave Run Club  for accountability and community! Read my full story here and get more details about the project.

 

 

More information about The Hidden Opponent: We are an accredited non-profit and advocacy group that raises awareness for student-athlete mental health and addresses the stigma within sports culture. We empower athletes around the world to face the hidden opponent together.

 

 

 

Five NCAA student-athletes have died by suicide in the last two months alone. Five lives lost too soon. Please join me in raising money to benefit Hidden Opponent Inc, a non-profit and advocacy group fighting to raise awareness around student-athlete mental health. Over the next month, between now and the USA Track and Field 10k Championships on May 27th, I will be working to raise $10k in the fight for mental health and suicide prevention among student-athletes.

 

The Hidden Opponent is listed as a resource in Kobe Bryant's book "Geese Are Never Swans" and he was an early supporter of this non-profit before his passing in 2020. The Hidden Opponent is focused on advocacy to amplify the voices of student-athlete mental health experiences, education to bring awareness to mental health struggles, and support/creating a safe community for people to feel heard and loved. Any donation will help make an impact in fighting this current mental health crisis.