Mental Health

When training for big events, there several components that critical to success: strength to keep injuries minimal; flexibility to prevent overuse of muscles; build endurance to to sustain energy throughout the event; nutrition to sustain energy; mental strength. Training can be stressful by getting workouts in between work and family and keeping everyone happy. But race day of the event can be very stressful. Some athletes question are they ready for it. Or some athletes are so nervous they cannot eat anything or cannot sleep because they have nightmares about it. The one thing many coaches don’t talk about is the mental and emotions throughout the athletes training. I seen coaches pump up athletes the day of the race instead asking how their athlete feeling or thinking. So many people are criticizing Simone Manual for backing out of 2 Olympic events. We don’t know the full history leading up to it. These Olympic athletes have had TV cameras in their faces, constantly be on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the past 2 years. That is so stressful. Some are so afraid to say they have been seeing a sports psychologists because it will the wrong impression of being weak. They are human! We all are human beings with brain and emotions! Give them some space to let them digest what is happening and not criticize them. Mental health is so important for everyone including Olympic Athletes. Be safe and healthy. @pamhouck