Exploring Mental Illness Amongst Olympic & Elite Athletes with Author Julie Kliegman

What can elite athletes' mental health struggles teach us about the role of resilience and self-care for busy professionals?

In today's high-pressure world, mental health has become a crucial topic across all industries, including even olympic athletes such as Simone Biles. As many of us cope with mental illness, valuable lessons can be learned from the experiences of elite athletes who have faced similar challenges.

In this episode of Cut to the Chase: Podcast, we welcome Julie Kliegman, author of "Mind Game: An Inside Look at the Mental Health Playbook of Elite Athletes." As a former copy chief for Sports Illustrated and copy editor at Ringer, Julie has interviewed over 40 elite athletes about their mental health struggles and coping strategies.

Did you know that even the seemingly invincible Simone Biles has openly discussed her mental health challenges and the importance of seeking help? Tune in as Julie shares this and other eye-opening stories from her interviews with athletes like Kevin Love and DeMar DeRozan.

Throughout the episode, you’ll gain insight into how elite athletes manage stress, maintain resilience, and prioritize self-care in the face of intense pressure and public scrutiny. Julie also discusses the parallels between the experiences of athletes and non-athletes, offering practical advice for all of us to learn from.

 

In this episode of Cut to the Chase: Podcast, Gregg and Julie discuss:

- The inspiration behind "Mind Game" and the growing conversation around mental health in sports

- Simone Biles' story: Navigating the "twisties" and the importance of self-advocacy

- Insights from interviews with Kevin Love, DeMar DeRozan, and other elite athletes

- The impact of the Larry Nassar case on gymnasts' mental health

- Strategies for coping with anxiety, stress, and burnout in high-pressure environments

- The role of identity and work-life balance in maintaining mental well-being

 

Key Actionable Takeaways for Law Firms:

1. Encourage open discussions about mental health and provide resources for those suffering mental health issues seeking support.

2. Promote work-life balance and help those suffering mental health issues develop a well-rounded sense of identity outside of their professional roles.

3. Implement stress management and resilience training programs.

4. Foster a culture of self-care and prioritize well-being in decision-making processes.

 

So, what will you take away from this episode?

By learning from the experiences of elite athletes and implementing these strategies, we can create a more supportive and resilient culture that empowers all of us to cope with mental health issues that might interfere with our professional and personal lives.

 

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Buy "Mind Game: An Inside Look at the Mental Health Playbook of Elite Athletes": https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781538168066/Mind-Game-An-Inside-Look-at-the-Mental-Health-Playbook-of-Elite-Athletes

Visit Julie’s website: https://juliekliegman.com

Connect with Julie Kliegman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-kliegman-8066a44b

Follow her on Twitter/X: https://x.com/jmkliegman

 

This episode was produced and brought to you by Reignite Media.