Thank you Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka

I’m so impressed by the Olympic athletes and the work they’ve done to get to this point, especially with the uncertainty and challenges that we are facing Globally. I feel grateful for the conversation that athletes like Naomi Osaka and Simone Biles have encouraged us all to have about mental health. They have allowed us to see high performing athletes as human beings with the same needs, feelings, thoughts and struggles as anyone else. I hope fans can appreciate the intensity, commitment, pain and mental strength it takes to train for years to reach these performance levels, while dealing with oppressive, discriminatory and abusive athletic systems and people.

These brave athletes are reminding us and teaching us to pay attention to our mental and physical health and to prioritize our well-being no matter what. We must support our athletes by holding athletic organizations accountable to their athletes. I hope that athletic organizations, coaches and support staff, continue to evolve so that athletes, who are often youth, are cared for, supported, and appreciated for their intelligence, perseverance, vulnerability, strength and ability to undergo so much pressure.

Dr. Cory Nyamora is a licensed psychologist and endurance sports coach. He is the founder and director of Endurance – A Sports & Psychology Center, Inc. He provides endurance coaching for beginner and experienced athletes, as well as psychological services to children, adults, and families. He provides trainings for organizations on topics related to the intersections of sports and mental health and overall wellness. Find out more at www.endurancecenter.org or call 510.981.1471.