Finally a Safe Space for Athletes with Chronic Illness
TO THRIVE IN SPORT AND LIFE
Join a 6-session program designed to connect, educate, and empower athletes navigating chronic illness, disabilities, and chronic health challenges.
Pilot Program Begins February XXXXX, 2026
A Safe Space to Connect, Learn, and Advocate for Yourself
This isn’t just a support group or a class—it’s a community-driven experience where your identity as an athlete is seen, validated, and celebrated. Here, your challenges are understood, your voice matters, and your strengths are recognized.
This Complex Health Support Group Program was created for athletes like you—those who are ready to break free from isolation, stop feeling stuck, and start thriving.
It’s a space where you’ll gain the tools, support, and confidence to navigate sport and life with chronic illness or disability—on your terms.
Sound Familiar?
If you’re an athlete managing chronic illness or disability, you’ve probably felt this way before…
❌ You feel isolated in your journey as an athlete with chronic illness or disability—like no one truly understands the unique challenges you face.
❌ You’re constantly pushing through pain, fatigue, or flares, but it feels like your body and mind are working against you.
❌ Maybe you’ve tried to adapt your training, but you’re stuck in a cycle of trial and error.
❌You’re tired of feeling like you have to choose between your health and your goals, sacrificing one for the other.
❌You struggle to advocate for yourself—with coaches, teammates, or even medical providers—because you don’t know where to start or how to communicate your needs.
❌You’re craving a space where you can feel seen, supported, and understood, but you don’t know where to find it.
The Truth is…You’re NOT Alone.
Navigating sport with chronic illness or disability is hard, and it’s easy to feel like you’re the only one going through it.
But here’s the good news: you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
Here’s What You Can Expect
This program is designed to help you move from feeling stuck and isolated to feeling supported, empowered, and in control of your journey as an athlete.
Community & Connection
You don’t have to navigate this journey alone.
This program creates a safe, supportive space where you’ll connect with a small group of athletes who truly understand what it’s like to balance sport with chronic illness or disability. Together, you’ll:
✔️share experiences
✔️celebrate wins
✔️support one another through challenges
You’ll leave feeling less isolated and more connected to a community that “gets it.”
Practical Tools & Strategies
You’ll gain actionable strategies tailored to your unique needs, whether that’s:
✔️managing energy
✔️adapting your training
✔️handling flares
✔️advocating for yourself
These tools are designed to help you feel more in control of your health and your athletic goals, so you can show up for yourself with confidence and clarity.
Empowerment & Self-Advocacy
It’s time to stop feeling like your health is holding you back.
You’ll learn how to set boundaries, communicate effectively, and make decisions that align with your values, so you can thrive in both sport and life without sacrificing your identity or goals.
Celebrate Your Uniqueness
Your chronic illness or disability doesn’t define you.
This program will help you recognize and embrace your unique “superpowers” as an athlete, so you can rewrite the narrative and focus on what you can do.
This isn’t just about managing your health—
it’s about thriving as an athlete and as a person.
You’ll learn strategies to:
➡️ adapt your training
➡️ manage energy
➡️ handle flares
➡️advocate for your needs in sport and life
But it doesn’t stop there. This program also helps you rewrite the stories you tell yourself, celebrate your unique strengths, and reconnect with the joy of being an athlete.
📅Tentative Program Schedule
Add program date specifics HERE
What Makes this Group Different? 👇🏻
Small Cohort, Big Impact
This isn’t a one-size-fits-all program. It’s a carefully crafted community for athletes who are navigating the unique challenges of chronic illness, complex health concerns, or disabilities.
With just 10 participants max, you’ll have the opportunity to share your story, receive personalized support, and build meaningful relationships with peers who truly understand your journey.
Expert-Led, Peer-Supported
Led by Staci Mannella, a two-time Paralympian who knows firsthand what it’s like to balance athletic goals with chronic health challenges. With guest appearances by Dr. Erin Ayala, you’ll gain access to evidence-based strategies and compassionate guidance from two experts who genuinely get it.
Plus, you’ll be part of a small, intimate cohort of athletes who understand the unique challenges of navigating sport with chronic illness or disability.
Not Just a Support Group
This program blends the best of both worlds. It’s a space where you can be open and honest about your challenges while gaining practical tools to move forward. You’ll leave each session feeling supported, less isolated, and more confident in your ability to navigate sport and life with chronic health concerns.
Affordable, Accessible, & Impactful
We know that access to high-quality support can be a barrier, which is why we’ve intentionally priced this program at less than $55 per session—far below the typical $175/hour cost of individual sessions. And with 6 sessions, you’ll experience the clinically significant impact of a structured, evidence-based program designed to create real change.
Meet your Facilitator
Staci Mannella (she/her)
Associate Mental Health Therapist | Mental Performance Consultant
Two-Time Paralympian
As a former Paralympic athlete, I understand the unique challenges that come with high-level competition. Having competed in the 2014 Sochi and 2018 PyeongChang Paralympic Games as a visually impaired skier, my goal is to help you explore your identity, rewrite unhelpful narratives, and develop tools to thrive in sport and life. Together, we’ll tackle perfectionism, mental blocks, and the stories that hold you back—all with humor, curiosity, and compassion.
Plus guest appearances by Co-Facilitator: Dr. Erin Ayala
Dr. Ayala (she/her), Sport Psychologist & Certified Mental Performance Coach, will make guest appearances to provide additional expertise and support throughout the program.
If this sounds like it’s for you, don’t wait!
Spots are limited to just 10 participants.
If you’re ready to join, sign up now to secure your spot!
WHAT’S INCLUDED
✅ 6 Live Virtual Sessions: Bi-weekly for 3 months (February–April).
✅Session Length: 60 minutes (part psychoeducation, part discussion)
✅Lifetime Resource Access: Includes a curated wiki page with resources to support your journey.
✅Confidentiality: Sessions are not recorded to ensure a safe and private space. However, the psychoeducation portion will be recorded for your convenience.
✅Cohort Approach: This program is intentionally designed for groups up to 10 participants. Smaller cohorts foster deeper connections, more personalized support, and a stronger sense of community.
✅Community: You’ll have the opportunity to share, learn, and grow alongside peers who truly understand your journey with complex health and sport.
Grab Your Spot Today!
$325
or
$108 (3 monthly payments)
Save $28 with our Early Bird Offer!
Use code “EB-SUPPORT” at checkout before January 26 at 12:00am CST to lock in your spot at just $297.
(That’s $55 less than a single individual session.)
Not ready to fully commit?
Sign up for email updates to learn more about the program and stay in the loop.
FAQs
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Honestly, the more stretched and pulled you feel, the more important it probably is for you to join us.
So here’s the thing… the more you put into this program, the more you’ll get out of it.
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We understand that life happens. While the live discussions won’t be recorded to ensure confidentiality, you’ll still have access to the psychoeducation materials and resources shared during the session via program wiki page.
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Yes! You’ll have lifetime access to a curated wiki page with resources, tools, and strategies to support your journey.
That’s for as long as Skadi is in business! And we have no plans on going anywhere :) If for any reason we change online hosting platforms, we’ll make sure all athletes receive archived content and material. We care deeply about this community, and we will not leave you high and dry.
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Given the digital nature of this program, we do not offer refunds for courses or products, including this Complex Health Support Group program.
However, we’re happy to answer any questions before you sign up to ensure this program is the right fit for you. -
Not at all! This program is designed for athletes of all levels who are navigating chronic health challenges or disabilities and want to feel supported, connected, and empowered.
This Is Your Time to Thrive
Whether you’re managing chronic illness, complex health concerns, or disabilities,
this program is here to help you feel supported, less isolated, and more confident in sport and life.
Spots are limited! Don’t miss your chance to join this program.