22 August 2021

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Mental Health & Athletes

I had the pleasure recently of being asked to comment on the mental health of athletes under pressure, specifically during this summer’s Tokyo Olympics with the remarkable actions of gymnast extraordinaire Simone Biles and tennis phenomena Naomi Osaka.

The first interview was with Nadine Yousif for the Toronto Star, which you can read here.

The second interview was with Natalie Michie for FASHION Magazine, which you can read here.

I gravitate to athletes and those who devote themselves to forms of intentional excellence in their chosen field, if only because these are roads that are far (far) from assured, with challenges that stretch confidence, self-worth, and ability. Imagine dedicating yourself to something in which there are no guarantees — in other words, living with the fact that you didn’t “make it” (whatever the heck that means). It takes a sort of persistence and tenacity that brings out the best in us, whether we make the pages of the news or not.