About

A Message from our Founder:

As a lifelong athlete, sports have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Through sports, I developed leadership, resilience, and a sense of self that continue to shape who I am today. At the same time, I witnessed firsthand how many athletic environments tolerated harmful coaching behaviors and prioritized performance over athlete well-being. These experiences contributed to my own mental health struggles and left me questioning why I even bothered with sports in the first place.

As I began my own journey toward healing, I realized my experience was not unique. I met countless young athletes whose mental health challenges were tied to unsafe sports environments and negative coaching practices. These conditions, combined with the stigma surrounding mental health, often lead young people to drop out of sports when they need them the most. It became clear that something needed to change.

The Youth Athlete Project (YAP) was founded on the belief that youth sports have the power to change lives, but only when athletes are supported in safe environments. Our vision is to reimagine youth sports so that every athlete feels seen and valued. No child should have to choose between their well-being and their performance. We are committed to creating a future where young athletes can thrive; a future where sports become a source of empowerment, growth, and lifelong resilience for every child.

- Abby Merhege (she/her), Founder and Executive Director

Our Services:

  • Through our workshop series, trained volunteers deliver an evidence-based curriculum developed in consultation with licensed sports psychologists. These sessions address critical topics for athletes, including motivation and goal setting, mental toughness, resilience, mindfulness, and body image. Workshops are offered free of charge, last 60 minutes, and are designed to be highly interactive through discussions, activities, games, and reflections tailored to each age group.

  • Starting in early 2027, YAP will be offering monthly peer support groups for young athletes in Albuquerque. These groups will be led by certified peer support workers and provide a safe, structured space for athletes to discuss sport-related pressures, identity, injury, burnout, and life stressors, while developing adaptive coping skills that support both athletic participation and personal growth.. 

  • Through our inaugural coaches summit, YAP hopes to equip coaches with the skills and knowledge to foster healthy team environments. We prioritize restorative and sustainable partnerships with coaches, rather than punitive measures. We hope to provide coaches with the resources they need to pour into their teams every single day.