Westmont Magazine Mental Health and Leadership in Athletics

By Malia Yim '23, transfer student and daughter of Kimberly McOwen Yim '94

The Olympics are a big deal in my household. With all four of my family members being former or current highly competitive athletes, you’d best believe that we have two televisions in our living room streaming events at the same time.

Women’s gymnastics, however, gets all our undivided attention. None of my family members has any experience with gymnastics, but we all find ourselves amazed at the daring and extreme strength of these elite gymnasts. This year, when Simone Biles withdrew from competition, it sparked a lively and healthy conversation about endurance, stress and mental health, subjects our family had to navigate two years ago.

I was playing volleyball for a Division 1 university when I suffered two concussions within a two-month period. My recovery took me on an eight-month journey. Each day, especially in the beginning, my body battled a variety of symptoms: light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, headaches and extreme fatigue. But the symptoms that scared me the most were anxiety, depression and noticeable personality changes. I felt extremely isolated and discouraged during this time as many of my friends, coaches and even some family members couldn’t understand the level of pain I experienced. Disoriented and unable to understand what was happening to me, I still knew something wasn’t right.

The example of a public figure like Simone Biles would have made that season of my life easier. For one of the most elite and successful athletes in the world to publicly acknowledge something wasn’t right and step back from competing on one of the world’s greatest stages is historic and noteworthy. This is someone who understands herself, her body and what she is capable of. She was strong enough to step back and say, “Something is wrong; I can’t go on right now.” She wasn’t competing for her university; she was representing her country. The stakes were high, and she knew some wouldn’t understand her decision, but she did it anyway. She modeled for all athletes that “sticking it out no matter what,” “winning at all costs,” and “showing no weakness” are no longer the way things are done. She modeled a new, better and stronger elite athlete: one who has wisdom, understands herself well, is grounded in who she is and has the courage to step back, stop, reassess and even quit if necessary. She belongs to a new generation of leaders teaching us what is possible.

This is what I learned from Simone Biles.

PRIORITIZE YOUR HEALTH ABOVE ALL ELSE.

All too often athletes are praised for pushing through pain. But wise athletes know when the pain is moving the needle to get stronger or better and when the pain is the body’s way of communicating something is wrong. Pain is not weakness. Pain informs us of what is going on in our body and our mind that may need more attention and care. Ignoring what our body is 

telling us is ignorant and can cost more damage in the long run. With extreme-level sports such as diving and gymnastics, pushing through pain can lead to extreme consequences.

TRUST THE ATHLETE.

Experienced athletes know their own bodies and their limits. From the beginning stages of training, they’re learning the ins and outs of their bodies and minds: when to take a sip of water, ask for a time out or take deep breaths. They learn how to strengthen and fuel their bodies and how to recover from intense workouts. Athletes know their bodies best. So why would anyone question a five-time Olympic medalist when she informs everyone that something is not right and she is not capable of performing at that particular moment?

JUST BECAUSE WE CAN’T SEE IT DOESN’T MEAN IT’S NOT THERE.

Admitting pain is unpopular and often considered weak and selfish in athletics. Mental health is difficult to see and far too easy to mask. Good mental health requires athletes to be honest with themselves and the people around them, building a culture of trust and acceptance rather than one that minimizes and shames. The consequences of ignoring mental health can often be more severe than dealing with a physical injury.

I don’t know whether Simone Biles recognizes it or not, but she is setting a precedent for all athletes. It’s now acceptable to take a step back and admit they’re not OK. More athletes will hopefully learn to have the courage to be their own advocates on this new playing field, especially when it comes to their mental and physical health.

I wish I’d had a respected and well-known athlete like Simone Biles as an example when I stepped back from my athletic career. It would have helped me validate what I was going through, instilled confidence in me and helped me protect my physical and mental health at all costs. It would have helped my family and friends understand what I was going through and react with grace instead of judgement.

Regardless of the fame and accolades elite athletes receive, I hope the public will recognize them first and foremost as human beings. We all walk through trials both big and small and appreciate those who are quick to listen and extend grace during difficult seasons. May we all learn the lesson of extending kindness before judgement as we continue to strive to become better people.

Used by permission
Global Center for Women and Justice, Vanguard University www.gcwj.org

Art by Alyssa Beccue '20