Caity’s athletic journey is a testament to grit, skill, and relentless drive. She began playing school sports and rec leagues, where her passion for contact sport quickly took root. In rugby, she competed with the Red Deer Titans, Calgary Saracens, and at the University of Lethbridge, carving out a reputation as a physical, smart, and committed teammate.
Her versatility eventually led her into Australian Rules Football, where she played for the AFL Calgary Kookaburras, earning selections to Team Alberta and ultimately Team Canada - representing her country on the global stage. In 2011, she was named to the International Cup World Footy Team - a proud and surreal moment. She remembers it vividly: "I was shocked . . . I thought, Oh my god - that's me!"
Her sport experiences were defined by speed, physicality, and unrelenting demands - but also by a lack of vocabulary for the emotional side.
For Caity, mental strength became synonymous with silence - a badge of honor earned through emotional suppression, never vulnerability. She describes the fear of failure and perfectionism that shaped her as an athlete. Despite the accolades, Caity’s internal experience didn’t match the highlight reel.
“One year on the national team, our coach had really created a culture of competition. It showed up as fear - fear to make a mistake, fear to try new things, tension between teammates.”
She remembers being physically ill before a key practice ahead of a grand final.
“I was sick with worry about how I would perform. I just hoped I wouldn’t mess up.”
That culture - one driven by perfectionism and pressure - left Caity constantly scanning for approval.
“I remember looking to the coach after every drill, either hoping he saw something great… or praying he missed my mistake.”
Over time, that pressure chipped away at her confidence. And yet, she never had the tools to reflect or recalibrate. There was no space for honesty - with herself or with her team.
“I think I would’ve had more consistent performance if I knew how to manage my worries. Preparing mentally isn’t just visualization before a game. It needs to include every part of your life - in and out of sport. And it only really works if you're honest with yourself and those around you
There were no tools. No language. No space to explore the weight she carried off the field.
“I didn’t even realize how anxious I was until sport was over. I just thought that’s how it felt to care.”
“If something like HONE Athletics had existed when I played, I think I would’ve spoken up so much sooner,” Caity says. “I didn’t need a therapist in the locker room. I needed someone to give me permission to feel, reflect, and share.”
She sees HONE not just as a check‑in tool, but as a culture shift - one that gives both athletes and coaches a shared language for emotional readiness, mental clarity, and team connection.
“HONE gives coaches and athletes the language I never had. It normalizes what we all experience. It’s not about being soft - it’s about being ready.”
Now, Caity is on the other side - not just surviving sport but helping reshape it. As both a Registered Social Worker and Client Success Manager at HONE, she works directly with organizations to support athletes, guide coaches, and implement systems that prioritize wellness without sacrificing performance.
“I get to do for others what I wish someone had done for me.”
Caity’s story isn’t one of regret. It’s one of insight.
And it’s a reminder that mental readiness isn’t optional - it’s foundational. The right tools, at the right time, can change not just how an athlete performs - but how they carry themselves through life.
With HONE, athletes like Caity don’t have to wait until their 20s to understand what they were going through. They can speak up sooner, feel supported earlier, and build confidence that isn’t dependent on performance alone.
“Don’t be scared. We’re not looking for someone to know all the answers - just someone to show they care and have our backs.
Sometimes, I just needed to feel like I was being given permission to feel not okay. That alone can change everything.”
Whether you're a coach, athlete, parent or sport leader - we'd love to show you how HONE is changing the game for teams across North America and on a Global Scale.
👉 Connect with us today to book a walkthrough or chat with our team: