Editor’s note: This story includes discussion of eating disorders and mental health. Addi chose to share her experience in hopes of encouraging others who may be struggling to seek help.

Addi Tatsch spent her high school years doing everything. Volleyball, basketball, track, competing year-round, and learning what it meant to be a part of something bigger than herself.

At Midland Christian, Tatsch built her identity around improvement, results, and commitment. She started young, playing at the Boys and Girls Club before moving into club volleyball in fourth grade, where travel tournaments and higher-level competition deepened her love for the game.

“I just began to love it because I got to play with people I didn’t get to at school,” Tatsch said. “Traveling around the U.S. to play was a great privilege.”

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Early on, success meant stats, but she said the number-one thing sports have taught her is to stay committed.

“I think the best athlete is the one who puts in extra work when no one is around, pours into their teammates, and listens to their coaches,” she said.

At the start of her junior year, Tatsch began struggling with body image and control, which eventually developed into an eating disorder accompanied by isolation, depression, and anxiety.

“At first, it felt like I was doing the right thing for myself,” she said. “When I started losing my spark and personality, people began to notice.”

Friends, teammates, and family stepped in before she fully recognized how serious the situation had become. Her teammates made a deliberate effort to stay close, checking on her daily and pulling her into their routines. At the same time, professional support helped her begin to reframe how she viewed her body and her performance.

“Once people started talking to me, it made me feel seen and loved,” she said. “My therapist helped me understand that I needed to fuel my body for everything I was asking it to do.”

Through that process, Tatsch realized she wasn’t prioritizing her mental health or her relationship with the Lord. Recovery didn’t happen overnight, but it changed how she approached both life and sports. For the first time, she began separating who she was from how she performed.

“Before that, I placed my identity in sports and my performance,” she said. “Now I know people love me for who I am, not for what I do.”

Teammates describe her as selfless, energetic, and competitive. MCS’ Coach Brinker said Tatsch is her biggest critic, but she’s very hardworking, and she brings energy to the team. For Addi, leadership comes down to consistency. Showing up, doing things when you’re not asked, going above and beyond, and being selfless.

She also tries to be someone teammates can rely on beyond the game. She said one moment stands out: receiving the team’s Heart Award.

“I didn’t see the court much that season,” she said. “But that award showed me my teammates were proud of who I was and what I went through. Not just what I could do for them on the court.”

Now, she said, the number one thing that motivates her is realizing that everything is a privilege, and she tries to be thankful for every opportunity. Next fall, Tatsch will attend Texas Tech University, where she plans to major in nursing and eventually become a nurse practitioner. As she prepares to leave Midland Christian, the legacy she hopes to leave is simple.

“I want people to remember me as joyful, kind-spirited, selfless, and resilient,” she said. “Be invested, have fun, and put your relationship with the Lord first before anything else.”

For Tatsch, sports were a place to grow, to struggle, and ultimately to understand that identity runs deeper than performance. She shared her story in hopes that someone else might recognize they are not alone and that help is within reach.

If you or someone you know may be dealing with an eating disorder, support is available. The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) Helpline can be reached at (800) 931-2237 for information, resources, and support.

You can also talk with a trusted friend, family member, coach, teacher, or mentor, or reach out to a licensed therapist or medical professional in your area. In Midland, counseling services are available through local providers, including Permian Basin Community Centers and other licensed mental health professionals.