Will Bush banned himself from asking the question "How are you?" when student-athletes walk into his office.
"We have this transaction of, 'How are you?' 'Good.' 'How are you?' 'Good.' And then that's the end of the conversation," Bush said.
Instead, the career and leadership graduate assistant at Missouri asks his student-athletes "What's cooking today?" or "How's the day going?" He aims to get people thinking and reflecting instead of checking the box as a pleasantry.
The former Portland track and cross country runner understands that sometimes college athletes need a nudge, an extra question, to open up.
During a particular advisory meeting, Bush asked a Missouri student-athlete one of his signature openers. The question prompted the player to talk about his final year of eligibility, and he expressed that he had no ideas for his future career. He was afraid.
"How was your experience in transitioning out of sport and just kind of saying goodbye to it?" the student-athlete asked him.
Bush opened up about his struggles as a college athlete, allowing the student-athlete to open up about his own struggles. A couple weeks later, the same student-athlete returned to Bush's office. He told Bush that even though the conversation may not have seemed serious, Bush helped him understand his next steps as an athlete and student.
"It was really fulfilling in that moment to realize I can share my experience," Bush noted. "While it may not resonate with everyone, it at least can resonate with one person."
At the Emerging Leaders Seminar, Bush had time to reflect on his future career in college athletics. "I've done NCAA programs before, and it really just gives a feeling of empowerment, being in a room of like-minded individuals, being surrounded by people who have the same mission. … I just can't help but feel super pumped up and inspired after this," he said.
In February at the NCAA national office in Indianapolis, Bush attended the Emerging Leaders Seminar, a program that helps prepare young professionals for their careers in the sports industry.
As he pieced together the lessons of leadership, passion and purpose from the Emerging Leaders Seminar programming, he thought about the role mental health played in his student-athlete experience as a runner at Portland, where a series of injuries sidelined the middle-distance runner for the majority of his career.
"The goals that I had set for myself on the track weren't being accomplished, and that really put me in a dark place," Bush said.
"I felt imposter syndrome. I was on the team, I had a roster spot, I had a locker room spot, but I never really could perform on the track," he said. "I thought there's no reason I should be there."
Bush became increasingly isolated. "I had moments where I was surrounded by friends and teammates, but no one was ever there for me, and I was truly alone."
After trying to tough it out, Bush realized he needed to talk to someone. He sought out close friends on his team and from his hometown. He consulted with a mental health specialist a couple of times.
"I found peace in those who were around me, a lot of the messages from brands like Hidden Opponent, Happiness Project and, most especially, The Athlete Confidential were all about ensuring you aren't alone," he said. "I had finally come to realize that there were people who cared about me. A lot of the anxiety and fear about sharing my struggles was just made up in my own head."
Seeking the help of his friends changed the trajectory of his mental health.
"That's where I started to grow my passion for helping others. I knew how scary it was to take that first step in reaching out for a hand to help, and I vowed that no matter what, I would always be that person for someone."
After opening up to his friends, Bush found hope. Although he was still injured, he focused on his academics and got involved with Portland's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, eventually becoming president of the organization.
Bush began seeing the fruits of dedicating time to his mental health.
"Working on my mental health and prioritizing that led me to not only be in a better spot myself, but in a better place to support my teammates and then better perform in my sport."
Upon graduation from Portland with a degree in civil engineering, Bush decided to pivot his career to become a graduate assistant at Missouri while he works toward a Master of Education. From his own experiences, he has understood the importance of student-athletes developing their identity, mental health and career aspirations.
Eric Lovelace, a Missouri wrestler, said Bush cares deeply about the student-athletes he works with. Bush helps them with practical skills like creating a LinkedIn profile, while also being open to having an hourlong conversation, sharing emotional depth and wisdom.
"I haven't met many people with his level of care and intentionality. You know those people who are just vibrant, alive and life comes from them. That's Will Bush," Lovelace said.
"He does a great job of getting people to have open conversations and bring their struggles out into the open. There's power in that because it guides support systems to a problem rather than an individual carrying that burden around alone."
Now, Bush is open about his experiences to demonstrate no one is as alone as they may feel.
"There is someone out there who cares for you, and no matter where you are, someone loves you at the very end of the day," he said.
"Even if you're not fighting for yourself, fight for that person who cares for you. You are loved."
