Professional Athletes Who Have Overcome Mental Health Struggles
Do you ever feel overwhelmed with anxiety, loneliness, and depression? You’re not alone. 1 in 5 Americans struggles with a mental illness each year.
Mental health struggles are pervasive and affect everyone, including professional athletes. But despite the challenges they’ve faced, many have found ways to stay resilient even in the most difficult circumstances.
Follow along as we explore inspiring stories of top athletes who overcame mental health struggles, demonstrating that anything is possible to find peace and happiness. We’ll look at what these amazing people had to say about their experiences and how they ultimately made it through tough times.
Then, we’ll provide you with resources to ensure you know where and how to access mental health services if you need them.
Athletes Who’ve Struggled With Mental Health
Athletes are often expected to maintain both peak physical and psychological health. But the reality is that mental illness can affect anyone, regardless of their elite abilities. From professional athletes to weekend warriors, mental health challenges require serious attention.
We want to clarify that it’s okay to struggle with your mental health regardless of who you are. Resources, therapies, and professionals are available to help you through it. To demonstrate how others have worked through issues such as depression and anxiety, here is a brief breakdown of top athletes who overcame mental health struggles.
Simone Biles
During the 2021 Olympics, gymnast Simone Biles withdrew from the final team competition due to mental health issues. Her brave stand was a powerful reminder that it’s always important to take mental health seriously. Yes, even during important events such as the Olympic finals.
This is especially for high achievers who may think they must bottle up their feelings and remain stoic in the face of adversity. Sharing her personal story, Biles encouraged those struggling with difficult times to put themselves first.
She stated it is important to “protect our mind and body.” In doing so, she recognized that everyone has an individual threshold colored by their life experience. Many applauded and celebrated her, both within and outside the sports world.
Michael Phelps
Michael Phelps’ incredibly successful career as an Olympic swimmer is well-known. However, what is less publically talked about is the mental health challenges he faced in 2014.
After receiving a second DUI charge, Phelps revealed his substance abuse issues and suicidal thoughts, prompting him to enter a rehab center. Recently, he has opened up again about the effect that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on his mental health.
After working through his experience in therapy, he is now a vocal advocate for mental health. He and his team offer support through the Open Up Program of the Michael Phelps Foundation.
Terry Bradshaw
At one point, celebrated NFL star quarterback Terry Bradshaw faced several personal struggles, including clinical depression and alcohol abuse. Bradshaw committed to therapy, medication, and faith to maintain his mental health.
He has since advocated for finding the courage to accept and celebrate who we are, despite our struggles. In a quote for Esperanza Magazine, Bradshaw said, “I’m not ashamed of who I am. It’s the way I was made. I just got some issues here, and I dealt with them. And I’m proud of it.”
Serena Williams
Serena Williams has had to fight more than her tennis opponents on the court. The multiple Grand Slam tennis champion also opened up about her mental health issues.
After giving birth to her daughter, Williams fell into a deep depression and found it very difficult to cope with the many changes in her life that came with becoming a mother. She felt unable to perform at her best, both athletically and emotionally, but she was able to seek help from those closest to her.
What helped her the most? Learning to put herself first. Williams noted in an interview with Selena Gomez that she’s learned to tune into her needs at least once daily.
Amanda Beard
Amanda Beard is an inspirational Olympic swimmer and elite athlete. Despite her accomplishments, however, she has bravely revealed her ongoing struggles with mental health issues such as depression, poor body image, self-harm, and disordered eating in her autobiography “In the Water, They Can’t See You Cry.”
Her story serves as a reminder to look at athletes holistically rather than just focusing on their impressive performances and accolades. It’s also a stark reminder that even athletes and celebrities struggle with common issues such as body image.
Naomi Osaka
Naomi Osaka is one of the world’s most respected and highest-paid athletes. Yet, despite this stunning success, she recently faced a $15,000 fine for skipping a press conference.
Rather than brushing off her misstep, Osaka was honest about her emotional state and revealed that she sufferers from severe anxiety and depression and wasn’t able to speak out at that moment publicly. People reacted similarly to Simone Biles’ decision to withdraw from an Olympic event; they offered support and respect for Osaka’s mental health.
Again, this serves as a reminder that nothing is more important than your mental health and well-being. Meetings can wait. You can miss events. You deserve to put yourself first and honor what your mind and body tell you. If it is screaming that it needs rest, you deserve to honor that.
TMS Therapy for Mental Wellness
What options do you have if you’re experiencing symptoms of stress, anxiety, or depression? Talk therapy is one option. However, at Oasis TMS, we also offer TMS treatments.
TMS stands for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. It’s a revolutionary form of depression treatment that helps reignite underactive nerve cells in the brain. It does so through an FDA-approved device that sends magnetic pulses to the brain’s prefrontal cortex.
The result? A non-invasive, drug-free approach to managing mental health.
Unlike antidepressants, which rely on chemical changes for positive outcomes, TMS relies on safety-tested magnetic fields that stimulate neurons without inducing side effects. With regular sessions and consistent use, patients can experience improved conditions with enhanced communication throughout their central nervous system.
However, the potential applications of this therapy go far beyond traditional depression treatments. TMS trials have also been used to successfully alleviate symptoms of (or issues arriving from):
- Anxiety
- Chronic pain
- Autism
- Nicotine addiction
- Chronic pain
- Stroke rehabilitation
Early indications suggest the potential for improving mental cognition in Alzheimer’s patients, too.
In contrast to other pharmaceutical therapies, TMS has no known long-term risk or negative side effects. It stands as unique hope for individuals suffering from various mental health conditions looking for drug-free treatments that provide lasting relief.
Mental Health Services in Indiana & Kentucky
If you’re struggling with mental health issues like depression and anxiety, Oasis TMS is here to help. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy is an FDA approved treatment for depression that can help even if you haven’t seen results with other treatments. We recommend you speak with a specialist to determine whether TMS Therapy is right for you.
Click here to request an appointment or find a TMS treatment center near you.
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