Meet Griffin

Who am I?

My Name is Griffin Looney, a current student at Glen Ridge High School and founder of Mindfuletes. I am committed to play Division III football for Franklin and Marshall College in the Fall of 2025. The motivating reason for starting mindufeltes was because of my deep passion for Mental Health. The seeds for Mindfuletes were sown during my own journey as a youth athlete—a path marked by intense pressure, overwhelming expectations, and a pervasive silence surrounding mental health. Growing up as a male athlete, I didn't just compete against other players; I was also battling my own mental health challenges, which I didn't have the vocabulary or support to articulate.

My story began in elementary school when football weigh-ins became a regular part of my life. The atmosphere was cutthroat; the message was clear: if I didn’t hit the scale at the right number, I was sidelined. I vividly remember the feeling of humiliation when I received a bright red piece of tape slapped across my helmet, signifying that I couldn’t touch the ball until I made weight. This mindset ingrained in me the belief that my value as an athlete—and as a person—was tied directly to a number on a scale. The pressure to conform to these expectations weighed heavily on my young mind and began my struggle with self-worth.

Fast forward to my freshman year of high school, when I transitioned to a more competitive private school. The desire to excel consumed me, and the notion that boosting my athletic performance required sacrificing my physical and mental well-being took hold. I became obsessed with my body, my appearance, and the narrative that surrounded athletic prowess. This obsession spiraled out of control, ultimately leading to serious consequences, including an eating disorder, body dysmorphia, and crippling anxiety. The relentless stress was overwhelming, and it took over two long years of navigating the unyielding world of hospitals and treatment centers before I began to reclaim my mental health.

Through this tumultuous journey, I learned firsthand the importance of mental health support—something that was often overlooked in the traditional sports environment. I recognized a dire need for change. Many young athletes, like myself, struggle in silence, feeling pressured to present a perfect facade while their mental health deteriorates beneath the surface.

This realization fueled my passion for creating Mindfuletes. I want to provide a platform where youth athletes can feel connected and heard, a sanctuary where mental health is prioritized and respected. Mindfuletes aims to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health in sports, particularly for male athletes, and create an environment where vulnerability is not only accepted but celebrated.