Athletes and Depression

Former NBA guard John Wall of the LA Clippers revealed he had considered taking his life while grappling with a torn Achilles and the consecutive deaths of his mother and grandmother. Overwhelmed by hopelessness, Wall’s experience highlights a harsh reality: he is far from alone. Many elite athletes navigate these profound lows, often relying on the support of friends, family, and colleagues who understand the unique pressures of their profession. 

After the 2018 Olympics, Chloe Kim famously returned home and threw her gold medal in the trash. Similarly, in 2011, Serena Williams revealed she had been battling depression after winning Wimbledon, “I cried all the time and was miserable to be around.” Despite their extraordinary physical feats, these athletes face escalating mental health challenges that fame cannot fix. For Kim, the expected ecstasy of victory was replaced by resentment: “I hated life. I just wanted a day where I could be left alone.” 

Former NFL star Ricky Williams echoed this sentiment, proving that wealth is no shield against mental illness. “I was 23, a millionaire, and had everything, yet I was never more unhappy in my life,” he shared. “I felt extremely isolated... because I couldn’t explain to them what I was feeling. I had no idea what was wrong with me.”

This culture of silence is beginning to shift, thanks to figures like Simone Biles. Her decision to withdraw from the Tokyo gymnastics finals to prioritize her well-being served as a turning point for Kim and others. Long before this shift, Olympic swimmer Amanda Beard opened up in her 2012 memoir, In the Water They Can’t See You Cry. She detailed her struggles with self-harm, eating disorders, and substance abuse, offering a message of solidarity: “Know that you’re not alone; there are millions of people... experiencing the same things that you are.”

Recovery often requires both support and perspective. After two devastating defeats, WWE fighter and former UFC champion Ronda Rousey contemplated suicide, enduring a two-year depression marked by isolation. She credits her husband, Travis Browne, with helping her through the dark period. Reflecting on her journey, Rousey notes that “time is a great teacher,” leaning on the belief that even the most painful seasons eventually pass.