Nekoda Smythe-Davis: Being an elite athlete teaches you to ‘dig in, be strong and be resilient’
This Mental Health Awareness Week, judo athlete Nekoda Smythe-Davis spoke to the UK Sports Institute’s Mental Health Team and the British Elite Athletes Association about her experiences with mental health and how her training as an elite athlete helps her to manage difficult experiences.
Two-time world medallist and former Commonwealth champion Nekoda said:
“There is a lot of pressure on you, there is a lot of expectation, expectation that you put on yourself, but also expectation from those around you, those who support you, your family, your friends, your fans.
“I think that can put a lot of strain on your mental health. It’s really important as an athlete that you know how to deal with those. You know how to talk about them and how to overcome them.
“I genuinely wouldn’t be as strong as I am if I didn’t choose the path of being an elite athlete. I wouldn’t be as resilient. I don’t think I’d understand the value of giving your all to something day in and day out and not actually knowing if you will reap the rewards of that straight away.
“It’s not immediate gratification, for the Olympics you have to work for four plus years. You work in an Olympic cycle for one day. That teaches you how to dig in, to be strong, to be resilient.”
How to get support
The theme of Mental Health Awareness Week 2023 is anxiety, defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO):
“Anxiety disorders are characterised by excessive fear and worry and related behavioural disturbances. Symptoms are severe enough to result in significant distress or significant impairment in functioning.”
Therefore, anxiety in its simplest terms is worry that affects how we feel emotionally and physically, how we behave, and how we think.
There are many different support outlets for someone struggling with anxiety, most of which can be found on the Mind website.
If you are an elite athlete, then you may be able to access support via your sport and it is best to speak to a member of your performance support team or the BEAA for more information.
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