THE GAME WITHIN

About AU

Athletes United is a groundbreaking platform bringing people together to nurture and enhance the mental game in the athletic world.

FOR ATHLETES, WITH ATHLETES

We address the underrated, undervalued, and underfunded aspects surrounding mental health and vital supports. By aggressively dismantling stigmas, our services provide a unique membership experience that is tailored to athletes, parents, care-partners and coaches.

Athletes United’s professional care providers and registered practitioners must have various, intricate levels of experiences in athletics. This revolutionary strategy ensures a nuanced understanding of the complex pressures athletes face, spanning from recreational levels to the pinnacle of Olympic or Professional competition. We pride ourselves on tailored, empathetic support that transcends conventional approaches by addressing the multifaceted challenges athletes encounter throughout their journey. .

Athletes United champions the mental health of individuals. Through this innovative avenue connecting registered practitioners from the athletic world with members, we aim to reshape the narrative and prioritize the psychological resilience of those who inspire us through their competitive pursuits.

Make a Change

MENTAL HEALTH IS HEALTH

Mental health is intrinsic to overall well-being — more than an aspect, it is health itself. Acknowledging the symbiotic relationship between mental and physical health is paramount. Athletes United embraces this perspective, championing the understanding that mental well-being is an integral component of one’s overall resilience.

Athletes United dedicates itself to the game within each athlete. Through collective efforts, we will enrich them, fostering growth and vitality throughout their lifetimes.

PASSION FOR CHANGE

OUR TEAM

Chris Baxter

CEO

cbaxter@athletesu.ca
Athletes United was established by visionary Founder, CEO and President Chris Baxter. Mr. Baxter is a former professional hockey player who lived the high and low intricacies of the sports world.

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He furthered his skill set and graduated from Brock University’s Business Program (with a BBA in General Management). Years later, Mr. Baxter’s noteworthy entrepreneurial success enhanced the Niagara Region through two flourishing businesses. Above all, as a member of the Alliance of Sports Social Workers (Ball State University), Mr. Baxter’s passionate care for amateur & professional athletes and their holistic well-being inspired his creation of Athletes United.

Dr Stephanie Zubcic

Vice President

stephanie.zubcic@athletesunited.ca
Stephanie Zubcic, B.A. (Hons.), M.A., Ph.D., has been teaching, mentoring, and career coaching post-secondary students at top universities since 2001. Her greatest joy is helping students achieve success and live their best lives.

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Specializing in Philosophy of Human Rights, Stephanie uses her academic expertise to advance child rights to improved access to youth mental health care. A passionate public mental health advocate for over 30 years, Stephanie is thrilled to be a team member at Athletes United and shares our mission to be the leading game-changer for student athlete mental health & wellness. She witnessed first-hand how a lack of mental health literacy in early childhood has contributed to a dramatic decline in youth mental health resulting in increased bullying, cyberbullying, self-harm, and the epidemic of campus suicides. Youth mental health tragedies ripple through classrooms, fields, community arenas impacting everyone. She knows prevention is vital.

A highly driven and results oriented strategic consultant, Stephanie brings her strategic consulting experience working with Fortune 500 companies, NGOs and charities to fulfill AU’s mission to be the leading student-athlete mental health service. Her strength is her ability to develop strategic business and marketing plans. A proactive change manager, she focuses on organizational problem solving to create solutions that drive team performance and achieve results while mitigating risks, advancing DEI principles of belonging, and liaising with community stakeholders to build collaborative partnerships for greater community engagement.

In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys reading, music, movies, cooking, volunteering, and spending time in nature. She believes it takes a village to raise a child, and remains devoted to advancing global educational equality, mental health literacy, and teaching children the importance of kindness and compassion through reading and the traditional art of Indigenous storytelling.