Kicking off a new chapter in how we support mental health in high-performance lives.

Whether you're leading a team, running a business, raising a family, or simply trying to hold it together, The PostGame Project uses creative tools to elevate the need for awareness, reflection, and support.

Statement from The PostGame Project on the Passing of Brian Wilson

Frisco, TX – June 13, 2025

At The PostGame Project, we honor the life and legacy of Brian Wilson—a musical genius whose timeless creativity shaped generations, even as he faced deeply personal battles. His journey reminds us that extraordinary art and deep inner struggle often coexist.

Brian’s story is one of profound triumph: not just in the music he gave the world, but in the courage it took to keep showing up—through the darkness, through the noise, through the pain. His vulnerability became a vessel for healing, connection, and inspiration.

As we mourn his passing, we are reminded why The PostGame Project exists—to amplify the truth that mental health is not a weakness, and that creativity can be a life raft. Whether you’re leading a team, raising a family, or simply trying to stay afloat, we all need safe space to reflect, express, and be supported. Brian’s legacy calls us to do just that.

We send our deepest condolences to his family, The Beach Boys, his fans, and all who saw themselves in his music and his resilience.

Let us keep building a world where struggle is not hidden—but honored.

– The PostGame Project

About The PostGame Project

The PostGame Project is a nonprofit initiative using storytelling, film, and music to bring attention to the emotional demands placed on high performers — not just athletes or public figures, but professionals, parents, leaders, and anyone who’s expected to always “have it together.” The project offers no diagnosis and no clinical path. Instead, it uses creative tools to shine a spotlight on the need for understanding, recognition, and support — especially for those who rarely ask for it.

Statement from Chris Thieneman on the Passing of John Brenkus

Frisco, TX – June 3, 2025

“I am heartbroken by the news of John Brenkus’ passing. John was a pioneer in the sports world—a storyteller who brought science, truth, and wonder into the lives of millions of athletes and fans. More importantly, he was a human being who, like so many high performers, carried silent burdens the world rarely sees.

His tragic death is a sobering reminder of the invisible battles many of us face long after the cameras stop rolling and the lights go down. As someone who has lived through the highs and lows of professional sports and now leads The PostGame Project, this loss underscores the urgent need to keep speaking up about mental health—especially among those who are often perceived as the strongest.

When one of our beloved peers commits suicide -it’s a call to action. We must break the stigma, create safe spaces, and remind one another that it’s okay to not be okay. John’s legacy will live on in the minds he inspired and the conversations he helped start. My prayers are with his family, friends, and the many lives he touched.”

— Chris Thieneman

Co-Founder, The PostGame Project

Former Professional Athlete & Mental Health Advocate

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The PostGame Project Launch Experience

The national premiere of The Kentucky Cowboy, an award-winning documentary about former pro athlete Chris Thieneman, will take place on Friday, May 16, 2025, at The Star, Frisco, Texas. More than a film debut, the event will mark the official launch of The PostGame Project: a national initiative using media and storytelling to shine a spotlight on the mental and emotional pressure carried by high performers across all walks of life.

Timed with Mental Health Awareness Month, the premiere begins a bold effort to explore what that pressure looks like — and what it costs. Whether you're leading a team, running a business, raising a family, or simply trying to hold it together, The PostGame Project uses creative tools to elevate the need for awareness, reflection, and support.

The Kentucky Cowboy - The Award-Winning Documentary

An award-winning documentary that follows Chris Thieneman through the personal and professional pressure that shaped his life — starting in childhood, rising through his football career, and continuing long after the game ended. Part of the story is inspired by his time with the Dallas Cowboys, making the premiere at The Star a full-circle moment and a fitting launch point for The PostGame Project.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About The PostGame Project

  • The PostGame Project is a national nonprofit initiative that uses film, music, and storytelling to bring attention to the emotional and mental pressure experienced by high performers — not just athletes, but leaders, parents, creatives, business professionals, and anyone who’s expected to "keep it together" under intense demands.

  • The mission is to elevate awareness of the invisible weight carried by high performers and to create space for reflection and recognition through creative, non-clinical means. The goal is not therapy or diagnosis — it's to tell real stories that connect and validate the experience of those living under pressure.

  • The term refers to anyone who operates under high expectations, whether in the public eye or behind the scenes. This includes athletes, CEOs, pastors, artists, military veterans, parents — anyone who feels the burden of having to be strong, capable, or successful at all times.

  • Stories have power. The PostGame Project uses creative storytelling, film, and live performance to open doors to conversation, encourage empathy, and reduce stigma. It’s about offering narratives that resonate, rather than clinical solutions or advice.

  • No — it is not a medical or therapeutic program. The PostGame Project does not offer treatment, diagnosis, or counseling. It is a creative awareness initiative, using media to shine a spotlight on issues that often go unspoken among high performers.

The PostGame Project Founders

  • Chris Thieneman

    FORMER PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE BUSINESSMAN

  • Art Arellanes

    EXECUTIVE PRODUCER CO-FOUNDER

  • Charles Venturi

    EXECUTIVE PRODUCER CO-FOUNDER

  • Daniel Macks

    CREATIVE CONSULTANT

  • Mike Kiselak

    FORMER DALLAS COWBOY

  • Noah Berlow

    CREATIVE CONSULTANT IMMORTAL CINEMA INTERNATIONAL

  • Jay Jones

    CREATIVE CONSULTANT SQUIDDL