Elite Sports: All That Glitters Is Not Gold
It’s common knowledge that exercise is good for you. Regular physical activity can help to improve muscle vitality, build up endurance and increase energy levels. In fact, there is strong scientific evidence that suggests regular exercise can even reduce the risk of major health complications such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and strokes. But what about our mental health?
Recent studies show that physical activity can boost self-esteem, improve mood and increase the production of endorphins. Endorphins are produced by the central nervous system, their primary function is to repress the communication of pain signals, and can produce feelings of euphoria. In simpler terms, endorphins help us to feel happier. Surely that’s enough to get you dusting off your trainers, no?
On a scientific level, the benefits of regular activity can be outstanding, but like anything in life, there is also a dark side to sports and its effects on mental health. In the past few years we have seen many high profile sports personalities reach breaking point due to poor mental health. Just over a year ago the government unveiled their Mental Health and Elite Sport Action Plan. The plan hopes to improve mental health by taking a look in depth at what can be improved and by also giving specific mental health training to the likes of performance directors, coaches and governing bodies.
To get a better idea of mental health within the elite sports industry, I spoke to Olympic Bronze medallist and 2012 Triathlon World Champion, Jonny Brownlee. We spoke about his proudest moments, life in the limelight and the pressures surrounding a highly competitive sport. Here’s what he had to say:
Tell me a bit about your triathlon background, when did you start and why?
I started triathlon when I was 6 years old. My mum swam, so I swam with the local swim club. My dad ran cross country, so I ran for my school. Triathlon was a very niche sport at the time, but my uncle did loads of them. So I was aware of it. I tried one and loved it. I also played football, rugby and cricket until I was 14. I loved triathlon because I loved the challenge of training and racing.
Triathlon is one of the most physically demanding competitive sports, how do you physically and mentally prepare for something so tough?
I never think about how painful the race will be. I am not worried about the pain or how tough it is. I just think about how I can have my best performance in the race. I break the race down into small sections and visualise how I can be at my best in every section. For example for the swim start, I think about a quick reaction and a good streamline. Then onto the next part and so on.
Apart from the obvious which is the Olympics, what’s a stand out achievement for you in your career?
I was on the podium in every race I did between July 2010 and May 2014. I think it was something like 36 podiums in a row. This is my best achievement.
What’s it been like going from an ordinary lad in Yorkshire to becoming a household name within sports?
[Laughs] I am still an ordinary lad from Yorkshire! It is a gradual process. It started with being really proud to be in the paper for the first time, to being on an Aldi advert and being recognised on the street. All the recognition we get now is very positive, so it is great! I am quite shy but I like to talk to as many people as I can about triathlon. If I ever get too big for my boots, I have my brother and friends to keep me grounded!
Triathlon is a heavily competitive sport, do you feel the pressure to be on your game constantly?
Yes I do. I went very quickly from being a young junior triathlon who raced senior races with no pressure to being a favourite for the Olympics and expected to medal at every race. At first I loved the excitement of being an underdog. The run up to the London Olympics helped me deal with pressure. That was the most stressful race I will ever race. My coach told me that pressure is a privilege. I would much rather have the ability to win a medal and pressure comes with that. I also tell myself that I can only try my best and if that is not good enough, I can’t do anything about it. If I am honest, I haven’t dealt with it very well in the last year or so. I am trying to go back to really enjoying racing and training again. I have to remember that I started sport because I loved it. I need to continue that.
Has it been tough competing against your sibling?
No I have loved it! To stand next to your brother on an Olympic start line is amazing. It was always nice to have someone who you could trust in the race. He races the same way as me and we can help each other. I have never been jealous of any of his achievements. He deserves every single one of them.
Do you have any tips for aspiring athletes to have a balanced lifestyle?
Keep training and racing fun. You started it because you loved it, so keep it this way. Find a good group to train with. They can push you on in training, but more importantly make it more interesting for you. An injury or time off may seem like the end of the world. But remember form is temporary and class is permanent. So you will be back to your best in no time. Have some time away from the sport and do things that you don’t normally have time to do. Then come back stronger.
In these past few years we have seen many professional athletes just like Jonny speak out. It was only last year that Victoria Pendleton CBE opened up about her struggles with mental health, which subsequently lead to her contemplating suicide. It can be easy to assume that someone with medals, money and fame ‘has it all’, but this can be so far from the truth.For some, sports isn’t just a hobby or something you do when you want to let off some steam, it’s a profession and with this comes an abundance of hurdles to face such as injury, failure and retirement, which can cause an extreme amount of pressure in a person’s life. It’s vital that we hear people like Victoria’s speak out. Professional Cyclist Marcel Kittle spoke out recently about his own mental health struggles and the pressures of the elite sport, he said:
"It's the hardest sport in the world. You're racing for six or seven hours sometimes, even for three weeks at a time, plus all the training. You're constantly tired, and it takes a huge toll, not only on your body but also on your mind."
The more people speak out, the quicker mental health struggles will be accepted and the stigma and shame surrounding these issues can be broken.
One person in particular is keen to shed the light on ill mental health within the sports industry. This person is ex professional cyclist, Thomas Bustard aged 31. Tom, who currently lives in Leeds, West Yorkshire, set up his own cycling and mental health related podcast, aptly named The Yorkshire Grit, with his co host, psychologist Dr Tom Cliffe. Yorkshire Grit boasts over 50,000 downloads and it's not hard to see why when you take a look at the calibre of guests he has got on board, from Grayson Perry to Jonny Brownlee, Charlie Tanfield, Colin Sturgess and Gabs Cullaigh, who all openly speak about their own struggles with mental health. Tom regularly speaks out about his own battle with depression along with his experience as a professional cyclist, in the hopes he can bring this important subject to light.
Tom Bustard at a race.
Photo?Martin Williamson via VeloVeritas
I met up with Tom to talk all things mental health, cycling and podcasting. He began our conversation by telling me how and why he got into cycling 10 years go:
I first got into cycling when I cycled from sheffield to Barcelona in the summer of 2009. I was involved in a charity event for help the heroes and after that I was instantly hooked. It was love at first site for me and cycling. Cycling isn’t for the faint hearted, it’s a tough sport and there was a sense of hurting myself that made me feel alive.
What have been the key highlights of cycling for you?
I’m not going to sit here and list off all the people I have beat and the races I’ve won -don’t get me wrong, that’s great, but I’d say the highlights are pushing myself and being able to say that I never gave up. I also like to think it made me fit and healthy and gave me a sense of being. To me, that's a lot more important than just winning a medal.
Have you had any ups and downs when it comes to cycling?
The ups in cycling are so, so high but the downs are cascading. To me there is no middle ground and I’ve heard lots of other cyclists say this. It’s either euphoria or misery. You doubt yourself if you’re not doing well on the bike and you think it's the end of the world but then the next day you could win a bike race and the feeling is literally like no other.
In what ways does cycling positively and negatively affect your mental health?
I think cycling in moderation is great but competitive elite level cycling can have a negative affect on your mental health. The balance between life and cycling is an unknown door which I dont think many competitive cyclists have the key to open. I’ve been through all the motions with cycling. I've doubted myself, hated myself, I've exploded in many ways. I've been in dark places with it. But at the end of the day I have moved on from that. Right now I’m trying to remain positive but it's a process which is a bit like a Rubik's cube, it takes a while to get right.
So, tell us about your podcast Yorkshire Grit, why did you set it up?
It was on Christmas day 2018. I was probably the lowest I’ve ever been and from that I had an overwhelming urge to set something up to help me but also to help others. I thought podcasts were the best way to share my pain and story. I don’t have a simple answer but I know I’m aiming to do the best I can, and when you do that you’re not failing because you’re trying.
What kind of response have you had off the back of Yorkshire Grit?
Absolutely amazing. Pure love but not the fickle kind. Love that’s not orchestrated through a heart emoji that means f**k all, but love from the hearts of people who have been through the same. It’s like a bond that only people who have been through it know about, and I want as many people as possible to know that they are not alone.
It is clear to see that the conversation surrounding mental health disorders amongst athletes is becoming more widely acknowledged. Initiatives like the Mental Health and Elite Sport Action Plan are now being put in place to support athletes throughout their career, and also in their lives after sports. The plan says it is important to recognise the sacrifice athletes make in striving for success, and the possible impact this can have on their physical and mental health. To do so they will be providing appropriate signposting and referral for mental health problems, as well as continuing to break down the stigma around, and to raise awareness of mental health issues.
I believe sports organisations have a key role to play in supporting positive mental health by encouraging athletes to practise self care and to recognise trigger points which may cause their mental health to falter. It is also in their duty of care to provide adequate mental health training across the board which will help to recognise the symptoms before they turn into mental health breakdowns. Instead of providing only physical aspects of training and performance they should improve mental well-being by providing weekly counselling sessions and mental health workshops which will destigmatise mental health and promote a positive conversations around this subject. Only then will we see a difference, and only then we can reduce the number of 1 in 4 people who suffer from poor mental health.