208 - Tragedy, grief, healing, and finding happiness | Kelsey Chittick

Mentioned as an example of an NFL player with remarkable longevity and skill, contrasting with the median player experience.

A speaker at the Jamaica retreat. His story about losing his wife and raising four kids resonated with Kelsey before she received the news of Nate's death.

A speaker at the Jamaica retreat, known for memory and brain training techniques.

The doctor at Boston University who diagnosed Nate with Stage 2-3 CTE, describing the severe brain damage and predicting a difficult future if he had lived.

A Buddhist teacher who introduced Kelsey to the concept of 'radical acceptance,' which became pivotal in her grief journey.

A speaker at the Jamaica retreat, known for Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT).

A close friend of Nate and Kelsey, who also read 'The Code of the Extraordinary Mind' and connected with its author. Kelsey often compares Nate's health deterioration to Tony's continued vibrancy.

The quarterback for the St. Louis Rams during their Super Bowl year, described as an exceptional leader.

A speaker at the Jamaica retreat.

Mentioned as the host of her final show, which Nate would watch, causing him to become emotional and cry.

Co-author of 'What Happened To You?', a book recommended for understanding how children process trauma.

A former NFL player also diagnosed with Stage 2 CTE post-mortem after his suicide, used as a reference point for Nate's condition.

The owner of the Indianapolis Colts, mentioned indirectly through Nate speaking to 'Poean's office' (likely referring to Jim Irsay who was the owner at the time, though the transcript says 'Poon's office').

The coach of the St. Louis Rams, described as one of the greatest humans. He advocated for Nate multiple times due to his character.

A person Nate worked with who was good at taking care of his body with PT and ice baths.

Author of 'The Code of the Extraordinary Mind,' a pivotal book for Nate and Kelsey that also influenced Tony Gonzalez to connect with Vishen.

Kelsey's husband, a former NFL defensive tackle, whose life and untimely death from heart attack and CTE are the central focus of the interview. Described as a loving, confident, and deep-thinking individual who faced many challenges.

Nate's best friend and college roommate, who went on to become a Hall of Fame NFL center. Nate helped him get a shot with the Colts after he was overlooked by other teams.

The swim coach at UNC Chapel Hill who gave Kelsey a partial scholarship, promising a full one if she made the NCAA championships.

The player referenced in the famous tackle during the Super Bowl, securing the Rams' victory.

Mentioned as an example of an NFL player with remarkable longevity and skill, contrasting with the median player experience.

Mentioned as a spiritual figure whose teachings were part of Kelsey's upbringing in a spiritual family.

Mentioned as a spiritual figure whose teachings were part of Kelsey's upbringing in a spiritual family.

Actor who starred in the film 'Concussion,' which Kelsey watched to learn more about CTE.

A friend of Peter Atia who was on the US Air flight that made a miraculous landing in the Hudson River in 2009, and whose life was transformed by the near-death experience.

A former NFL player diagnosed with Stage 3 CTE post-mortem after his death, used as a reference point for Nate's condition and the behavioral changes associated with it.

The town where Kelsey and Nate settled after his NFL retirement, where they had their first child and Nate pursued his master's degree.

A beautiful conference room in Petco Park in San Diego where Peter Atia met with top college football prospects to discuss nutrition and performance.

Kelsey Chittick grew up in Winter Park, Florida, where she started swimming at age four and competed by age six.

Kelsey visits Austin, noting its appeal and community, though she ultimately decides she still loves Los Angeles.

The location where Nate and Kelsey got engaged in July 2001, a couple of months before the 9/11 attacks, leading Nate to question if it was a good or bad sign.

Nate's hometown, described as a factor in his 'hustle' and later his preferences for certain foods and behaviors.

The location of a spiritual retreat Kelsey attended, where she received the news of Nate's death and had early transformative experiences.

The location where US Air flight 1549 made a miraculous emergency landing.

Nate was starting a nonprofit in Watts, indicating his commitment to service after his NFL career.

Kelsey previously disliked Los Angeles (LA) but found herself loving it again after the past few years, despite considering leaving during COVID.

The town Kelsey and Nate visited and later moved to before settling in El Segundo. Nate got picked up by the Rams again while there.

Mentioned as the location of Petco Park, where Peter Atia conducted a session with top college football players.

A film mentioned as something Nate would watch that would make him cry.

A Will Smith movie about CTE in football players, which Kelsey watched after Nate's death and which informed her understanding.

The last NFL team Nate was released from before he and Kelsey moved to Manhattan Beach.

Kelsey's mother picked her up from LAX after her tumultuous flight back from Jamaica.

The school Jack (Kelsey's son) was likely to attend and play football, prompting Kelsey's concern about CTE.

Kelsey attended UNC Chapel Hill, where she swam competitively after turning down other scholarship offers to get out of Florida. Nate also played football there.

Nate's mother was a professor at Holy Cross, further emphasizing his family's academic and service-oriented roots.

The hospital where Nate was taken after his collapse, and where Kelsey's mother went.

The institution that conducted Nate's brain autopsy and diagnosed him with Stage 2-3 CTE.

Mentioned in the context of a significant Duke-Carolina basketball game, highlighting the major rivalry in Chapel Hill.

A medication offered for grief, but Kelsey chose not to take it due to feeling disconnected from her pain.

A medication offered for grief, but Kelsey chose not to take it due to feeling disconnected from her pain.

A psychedelic substance Kelsey also used, which helped her feel connected, non-judgmental, and access a sense of fun and calmness.

A psychedelic substance Kelsey used for grief work, which helped her process trauma and anger, reconnect with Nate, and experience a sense of peace and fearlessness.

A concept learned from Tara Brach that involves non-judgmental acceptance of reality, regardless of whether it feels good or bad, profound in Kelsey's healing from grief.

A book by Oprah Winfrey and Bruce Perry that discusses how children process trauma differently than adults.

A book by Vishen Lakhiani that was pivotal for Nate and Kelsey, helping them on a spiritual journey.

A spiritual text that was part of Kelsey's upbringing in an open-minded religious family.

Nate's team in 1999, which won the Super Bowl. Kelsey recalls the excitement and the exceptional team energy.

The financial firm where Nate found a career after social work, loving finance and investing, particularly helping blue-collar union workers.

Reference to MTV's 'Where Are They Now?' segments, drawing a parallel to the idea of tracking post-NFL player lives.

Nate's final NFL team, where he briefly played before retiring due to emotional exhaustion from the sport.

Nate's first NFL team, where he was called to join the practice squad, shocking many who doubted his chances.

Reference to ESPN not doing spotlights on retired NFL players who struggle, highlighting the lack of visibility for the median experience.

The NFL team that picked up Nate after he was released by the Giants, and where he convinced the coach to give Jeff Saturday a chance.

The location where Nate had a heart attack and died while playing with his children. Kelsey often finds a dark humor in this fact.

Nate's father was a minister at Harvard, highlighting Nate's family background in service and academia.