Mind Over Medals

We also have to focus on ourselves, because at the end of the day, we’re human, too, So, we have to protect our mind and our body, rather than just go out there and do what the world wants us to do.”

- Simone Biles (Mental Health Champion)

Current Scenario in Sports

Simone Biles, one of the greatest gymnasts that the world has seen, received immense support from the world as she took courage to step back at the Olympics to exercise self-care. Her words demonstrate fierce self-compassion as she chose to pause to practice mindfulness and regulate herself from all the pressure she was experiencing during the Olympics.

Today, mental health in sports has become an important topic of discussion at every platform as athletes speak up and share their struggles from their journeys.

As a Sport Psychologist who interacts with and trains athletes regularly, I see this as a defining moment in the history of sports that will shift the narrative from applauding performance perfectionism and shaming weakness, to acknowledging the essence of humanness that athletes experience while training for tournaments.