How sports can tackle the loneliness crisis | AJ Maestas | TEDxChicago

At a time when we’re at our most divided, maybe the surprising answer to bringing us all together can be found through sports. In the midst of a loneliness epidemic, AJ Maestas, the Founder of Navigate, explores his own relationship with sports and how it made him a part of something greater than he could have expected when he left Fairbanks, Alaska at age 18. Whether you love football (in the American or global sense), baseball, Taylor Swift, or even if you don’t consider yourself a sports or entertainment fan at all, this talk offers an emotional and engaging look at why the fans in your life act the way they do. Our fundamental need for belonging drives us to find community and shared passion for sports, music, or the many other reasons we gather. #Liverpool #NFL #Messi #ClevelandBrowns #WashingtonHuskies #CollegeFootball #Mariners #SeattleMariners #MLB #WorldCup #Sports #MentalHealth #Belonging #Loneliness #SportsFandom #Football AJ Maestas is the founder of Navigate, a data-driven consulting firm specializing in sports and entertainment. Over the past 20 years he has established himself as a trusted advisor to Anheuser-Busch, ESPN, the NFL, the Chicago Cubs, and numerous other clients on all sides of the industry. AJ is a Sports Business Journal Forty Under 40 winner, a frequent speaker at conferences and events, and host of the Navigating Sports Business podcast, which has featured team owners, commissioners, coaches, and CEOs. A native of Fairbanks, Alaska, Maestas received his MBA. in Sports Business from Arizona State University and his B.A. in Finance from the University of Washington. Psychology of Sports, Culture, Coming Together This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at