Chris Malenab - Assistant coach, Reno 1868 FC

I am in my 7th season in the United Soccer League as an assistant coach (4 years Sacramento Republic FC, 3 years Reno 1868 FC). Outside of team and on-field successes my most recent soccer achievement was completing and earning the United States Soccer Federation A-Senior License.

I was first diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder II nearly 14 years ago. Over the last couple of years since my suicide attempt in January of 2019, I have decided to fight in the open and become an advocate for mental health in hopes to help break the stigma the surrounds it. 

 

Brett Zalaski  - Founder of Empower of a Salesperson

Brett Zalaski is the Founder of the website Empowerment of a Salesperson (empoweredsalesperson.com).  It's a website written for sports business sales reps with content driven by inbound requests from those reps.  He's also a consultant and sales trainer across all the major and minor leagues in professional sports.  His background includes stops with the NBA & MLS league offices, as well as working in leadership roles for teams in the NLL, NWSL, & MLS.  Brett has struggled with anxiety for as long back as he can remember.

Trevor Swartz - Player, Greenville Triumph

In four seasons with Indiana, I appeared in 82 total matches while making 58 starts, including a career-best 25 starts in 2017. During my senior season (2018), I played in 24 matches. During that year, I led all of the NCAA with 16 total assists, four more than any other player in Div. I men's soccer. I was named to the Second Team all-Big 10 and finished second on the team in total points with 18. 

I helped lead my team to the NCAA Div. I men's soccer national title game in 2017 and to the semifinals in 2018. I was a three-time all-academic, a three-time Top Drawer Soccer National Team of the Week selection, a three-time College Soccer News National Team of the Week selection, and a one-time Big 10 Offensive Player of the Week.  

Following my career with Indiana, I played for Toronto FC of the United Soccer League. I appeared in six matches for Toronto, making four starts, and totaling 361 minutes. 

During my time with Toronto, I started to experience anxiety that forced me to leave the club. I went home to sort out this issue and was diagnosed with generalized anxiety order (GAD) and depression.

I was able to sort out my diagnosis and signed with Greenville Triumph this past off season. 

Dr. Sherif Zaher - Licensed Clinical Psychologist

My credentials include a doctorate in clinical psychology, a masters in Kinesiology (sports performance) and a bachelor's in psychology. I'm a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of CA., and practice out of two convenient locations in the Sacramento region. Additionally, I have been the psychologist for the Sacramento Republic Football Club since 2014.

 

I have a special interest in assisting patients struggling with trauma-related symptoms, for example: children exposed to traumatic grief (due to the loss of a loved one) complex trauma (exposure to multiple traumatic events), and adults diagnosed with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I also specialize in working with various mood disorders. 

 

In the realm of sport psychology, I have shared my expertise with numerous top athletes ages 9+. Some of the notable organizations/programs that have I have consulted with include: Sacramento Republic F.C., CSUS athletics, UC Santa Cruz, the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA), as well as several elite high schools. In addition, I have been providing my services to world class athletes including soccer world cup and tennis grand slam participants.