Olivia Townsend is a 2026-27 master’s student in the LSU School of Education, concentrating in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. After an unexpected retirement from collegiate cheerleading, she discovered her passion for athlete mental health and performance psychology. During the upcoming school year, her focus is helping student-athletes better understand their mental health needs and enhance their performance through techniques such as visualization, positive self-talk, and grounding.
Townsend previously interned with Elev8 Treatment Center for Substance Abuse and Addiction, where she helped individuals better understand the biological, psychological, and social aspects of addiction. Through this work, she sought to empower individuals to understand their stories and take an active role in shaping their futures. Working in both group and individual settings, she fostered opportunities for reflection, education, and support.
Townsend earned her bachelor’s degree from Hope College in Holland, Michigan, in 2020, as a double major in psychology and exercise science. While at Hope, she studied abroad in Gold Coast Australia, where she explored international cultural perspectives on sport and mental health. In 2020, Townsend also became a published author in The International Journal of Exercise Science for her research on ischemic preconditioning and running performance.