'I just wasn't healthy anymore': Lindsey Vonn talks mental health, retirement at the Kimmel Center
Philadelphia InquirerNov 06, 2019
Vonn began skiing in
But skiing at an elite level took its toll -- Vonn, a millennial herself, struggled with painful injuries, especially in the later years of her career, and depression.
"It's been an interesting career," Vonn, 35, said. "There were more downs than ups, I would say. I dealt with immense pressure to be perfect. A lot of the time, with athletes, we're expected to be perfect. I even look up to other athletes, and I think, 'Wow, he has such a perfect life. I can't imagine it's not perfect.' But it's a total misconception, everyone struggles no matter what job you do, there's always expectation, and not everyone handles everything the same."
Vonn said that in the last eight months of her career, she had three surgeries. Spending so much time in the hospital was the final straw, she said. In February she announced her retirement.
"I just wasn't healthy anymore," Vonn said. "My fiancé
Even though Vonn had built much of her identity around skiing, the thought of losing her ability to be active because of racing was sobering. She hung up her poles, but that adjustment hasn't been easy either.
"It's hard to feel 100% confident without skiing," Vonn said. "A lot of times I feel just incredibly insecure, without that anchor in my life. Some days I wake up and I feel like I'm a complete failure, and other days I wake up and I feel really good."
In 2012, Vonn revealed in an interview that she had depression and was taking antidepressants to manage it. It was freeing and empowering to tell the world that, she said.
"Therapy and medication drastically improved my life," Vonn said. "I never told anyone this was something I struggled with, not even my family, until after I was divorced. It felt like it was a step I needed to take to move forward."
She said that millennials are much more open about discussing mental health issues than previous generations. This has helped eliminate the shame that used to come with sharing those struggles and made it easier for people to ask for help.
"I was always the person who didn't ask for help," Vonn said. "But I'd encourage anyone who's struggling to go to a professional, even if you can't share with your family and friends yet. In general, people just need to be open about their healthcare struggles and the support that they need."
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