Jennifer Schmidt is Recreation Therapist, Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach and self-proclaimed "Mental Health Mentor." When consistent triathlon training didn't "cure" her depression and anxiety (as her education promised), Jennifer sought other answers and discovered the root of her mental illnesses were likely being amplified by her intense training regime.
If there’s anything that feels as hard as getting a gold medal at the Olympics, it’s taking care of your mental health. And although they seem like completely different goals, they require many of the same skills!
5 olympian skills to boost your mental wellness and feel like a champion
1. Consistency
Do you think any Olympic athlete has gotten to where they are by doing things when they feel like it, when they’re feeling 100%, when they have time, or only when they’re succeeding? Of course not!
It’s not sexy, but the truth is, that consistent effort over time will help you maintain positive mental health in the long term. This means sticking with your mental health routine, whatever it may be, during highs and lows, prioritizing it even when your schedule is busy, and sticking to it even when it feels hard.
2. Athletes do tracking
Athletes track all kinds of data while they train and compete. Without it, it would be challenging to know whether they are making progress.
The same goes for your mental health. If you never track your symptoms or how your coping strategies impact these symptoms, how can you ever know if things are working?
People tend to over or under-report their reality based on how they feel. So if you’re having a bad day, you’re more likely to report having lots of bad days, even if things have been going pretty well lately. Tracking will give you an accurate picture of reality so your perceptions can’t get in the way!
3. Learn from setbacks
No Olympian has made it where they are without experiencing some moments of failure. Heck, they may have even had a failure while at the Olympics! But what makes them strong athletes is that they never let their bad days define them and learn from their mistakes so they can come back better than ever.
Even when you feel like you’re making huge progress, there are going to be “bad” mental health days. But if you let these days define your progress, it’ll be difficult to feel the way you want. Instead, step back and identify what lesson this setback has taught you, and tweak your plans with those lessons in mind!
4. Trust the process
Every athlete has stories about the moments where they felt like they weren’t getting anywhere. But those athletes who have become Olympians trusted that even when the results weren’t there, progress was coming soon. They don’t assume that they’re somehow special enough that the things others do to become better athletes do not apply to them. Instead, they put faith in the process that has allowed other athletes to do incredible things.
Yet when we try meditation for one week and see no relief in our anxiety, we give up. Everyone is different, so of course, some things aren’t going to work for some people. But you need to try things for a little longer than a few days to feel your best. Trust that the evidence behind mental health strategies is real and have faith that if it’s worked for others, there’s a good chance that if you stick with it, it’ll work for you too!
5. You can't do it alone
If you watch a post-competition interview, you’ll hear an athlete thank their support team. It’s typically a long list that includes professional support (like coaches and physical therapists) and personal support (like family, friends, and teammates).
But it’s not just Olympic-level goals that require a support team. You’re more likely to meet your mental health goals with the support of others! Talk to your inner circle about your experiences, and seek professional help from a counselor, therapist, coach, or mentor to keep you on track.
Unlike becoming an Olympian, feeling that deep sense of joy and peace that comes with positive mental health isn’t reserved for the best in the world – it’s accessible to anyone (yes, even you!) with a few tweaks to your mindset and life. So harness all that inspiration you’ve been gleaning from watching the Olympic Games this summer and put it to work to boost your mood and quiet your mind! Future you will thank you!
And if you’re a runner or triathlete who is anxious or depressed despite training regularly, then I’m here to help you! I have the personal experience and professional expertise to help you improve your mental health so you can finally feel like yourself again. And the best part is, the things that will help your mental health will also boost your sports performance! It’s a win-win! So whether you’re a part of the “slow runners club”, aiming to finish your first triathlon, or looking to get your pro card, let me help you feel your best and perform even better!
Jennifer Schmidt, Athlete Mental Health Mentor
Jennifer Schmidt is Recreation Therapist, Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach and self-proclaimed "Mental Health Mentor." When consistent triathlon training didn't "cure" her depression and anxiety (as her education promised), Jennifer sought other answers and discovered the root of her mental illnesses were likely being amplified by her intense training regime. Her personal mental health experience combined with her professional experience in psychiatry fuelled her to start Ignite Health Coaching and Wellness, where she mentors endurance athletes on creating a lifestyle for positive mental health while simultaneously unlocking their true athletic potential.
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