“I Realized There’s No Shame in It”: Lindsey Vonn Applied Same Philosophy as Fellow Olympian Michael Phelps and Simone Biles to Deal With Internal Struggles

Published 08/12/2022, 11:15 AM EDT

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The importance of mental health has increased in recent years for athletes. A lack of mental health awareness can result from the pressure of performing well and earning well. Simone Biles and Michael Phelps are two notable examples of this situation. By focusing on their mental health and leaving everything behind, they raised awareness among others about the importance of checking on their mental health. Alpine ski racer, Lindsey Vonn, takes a similar approach concerning her mental health.

Michael and Simone have both shone a light on mental health stigma. It has been encouraging to see these legendary athletes dealing with mental health issues, including Vonn, who has come forward to speak about it.

Lindsey Vonn breaks the mental health stigma

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Vonn never discussed her mental health struggles during the early stages of her career. However, as she grew and spread her wings in her sport, she realized the importance of it. COVID-19 was an opportunity for her to share her thoughts on ways to improve the stigma. During an interview with USA Today, the ski racer discussed her desire to raise awareness of this problem. She said, “I think the older I got and the more support I got from others, the more I realized there’s no shame in it.”

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Meanwhile, she encouraged people to participate in therapy sessions just as they do with their dentists and pediatricians. At last, she concluded, “I feel like, honestly, everyone should have a therapist. It should be like having a dentist or going to a pediatrician. We should all take mental health seriously and do our best every day to ensure we’re taking care of it.”

After an impressive career in the Olympics, she may have retired, but her good work continues to make headlines. The 37-year-old has won three Olympic medals in the Winter Games as a skier. Despite her mental struggles, she is grateful for her three dogs that have comforted her during the difficult time.  

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Simone Biles and Michael Phelps on mental health

In the past, Michael Phelps has praised the gymnast, Simone Biles, for sharing her struggles. He called her brave because she had withdrawn her name from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Throughout her impressive career, Simone has faced several challenges. Although she took the initiative to share her struggles, other athletes were also encouraged by her example. 

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Similarly, Michael Phelps, the most decorated swimmer in history, has won 23 gold medals. However, he found the post-retirement period to be difficult. Michael is the father of three boys and is married to Nicole Johnson. In the meantime, Simone is preparing to marry NFL player Jonathan Owens. 

WATCH THIS STORY- Lindsey Vonn’s Special Diet to Stay Fit at 37 Revealed

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Written by:

Ishani Yadav

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Ishani Yadav is a US Sports author for EssentiallySports. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Delhi. Ishani spent her childhood playing baseball and badminton, which led to her passion for sports.
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Edited by:

Manaal Siddiqui