Our Mission
headSTRONG was born from a simple belief: every athlete deserves to understand the risks of brain injury, and every community deserves the tools to prevent it.
What is a Concussion?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head — or by a hit to the body that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. Even “mild” concussions can have serious consequences if not properly recognized and managed.
Who's at risk?
Any athlete in any sport can sustain a concussion. High school athletes are especially vulnerable due to developing brains. Female athletes experience concussions at equal or higher rates than males in comparable sports.
Gaps in the Law
While all 50 states have concussion laws for youth sports, enforcement varies widely. Many states lack requirements for baseline testing, certified athletic trainers at games, or standardized return-to-learn protocols. The Return to Play and Learn Act aims to close these gaps at the federal level.
Connection to Mental Health
Concussions don't just affect physical health. Research shows that repeated mTBI is linked to depression, anxiety, cognitive difficulties, and long-term neurodegenerative conditions including CTE. Early education and proper protocols are key to prevention.
The strength to protect
what matters most
Every year, millions of young athletes risk undiagnosed brain injuries. headSTRONG exists to change that — one school, one team, one athlete at a time.
Founder / Team photo
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headSTRONG was founded on the belief that knowledge is protection. We work directly with high school athletic programs to integrate concussion education into every aspect of sports culture — from pre-season training to game-day protocol.
Our programs are designed by medical professionals and built for real people — athletes who want to compete, coaches who want to protect their players, and parents who want their kids to come home safe.
“Replace this with an athlete or expert quote.”
— Name, Title
How headSTRONG creates change
Three interconnected goals that move the needle on athlete brain health — from the locker room to the legislature.
Education
Equipping athletes, coaches, and parents with evidence-based knowledge about concussion recognition, prevention protocols, and safe return-to-play guidelines.
Conversation
Breaking the silence around concussion reporting culture — empowering athletes to speak up without fear of being benched or stigmatized, because reporting is strength.
Legislation
Driving policy change at school, district, and state levels to mandate baseline testing, certified athletic trainers, and standardized concussion protocols across all sports.
Concussions happen in every sport
From the field to the pool, the gym to the mat — brain injuries don't discriminate by sport. Awareness must reach every locker room.
Football
Highest reported concussion rates in contact sports
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Soccer
Heading the ball is a major and often overlooked risk
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Basketball
Collisions and hard court falls cause frequent mTBI
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Lacrosse
Fast-moving sport with high contact and stick impact risk
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Volleyball
Diving and court collisions often go unreported
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Cheerleading
Stunt falls are among the top causes of female TBI
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Wrestling
Head-to-mat and head-to-head contact is routine
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Baseball / Softball
Pitched ball impact and sliding collisions are common
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Hockey
Full-contact ice sport with boards and puck impact
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Swimming / Diving
Diving impacts and pool-edge collisions pose hidden risks
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Track & Field
Pole vault, hurdles, and relay collisions cause head injuries
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Gymnastics
High-impact landings and apparatus falls risk brain injury
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