The Intersection of Athletic Excellence and Personal Well-Being

The Olympic Games represent the pinnacle of athletic achievement, where athletes from around the globe converge to compete at the highest levels. However, beyond the glittering medals and record-breaking performances lies a profound cultural and human dimension that is often overlooked. As athletes travel across the world, they face the physical challenges of competition and the multifaceted impacts of cultural transitions, jet lag, and personal sacrifices. However, all these factors are magically expected to have no impact on their performance, having comments like "Come on, put yourself together, you are at the Olympic games!" all over the place as if the significant toll they take doesn't exist.

So here are some of the tolls athletes pay for being part of these games, which, while bringing recognition and pride to their teams and nations, also pose significant challenges. We can help diminish these challenges through our collaboration. Real and clear change requires all of us; it cannot be achieved by only a few people.

Navigating Cultural Changes and Jet Lag

When athletes journey to different continents, they encounter a myriad of cultural differences. These range from variations in food and water to drastic climate changes. Adjusting to new diets can be particularly challenging, as even slight changes in nutrition can impact an athlete’s performance. To mitigate these effects, many athletes now bring their own food, water, nutritionists, and more! Additionally, there is the disruption of circadian rhythms due to jet lag that affects their sleep patterns, further complicating their adaptation to new environments. And if on top of that, there is a baby to feed or any other personal matter disturbing their minds, the challenge of the games takes a completely different dimension.

So here is how we can all be more supportive during these Olimpic games:

• Spectators: Acknowledge the challenges athletes face beyond the competition and appreciate their resilience when performing at their best. Trust me, they are giving their all, even if it doesn't always appear that way due to numerous interferences that commentators and judges often overlook.
• Team Members: Ensure access to psychological guidance to support their mental well-being as much as their physiological well-being!
• Sponsors: Invest in comprehensive care and gain a competitive edge, as your athletes are then more likely to perform consistently well, recover faster from setbacks, and adapt better to varying conditions.

The Impact of International Mobility

Athletes, like many high-performing professionals, are constantly on the move, navigating international borders and diverse cultural landscapes. This mobility is demanding, especially considering the different life stages and "natural habitats" where each individual typically performs best. These elements are often overlooked in scoring and assessment, where athletes are expected to transcend natural limits and perform "superhuman abilities." Something I think is often used without deep reflection, as it underscores an intense pressure that necessarily will end up in collateral effects. In the latter, some of my patients describe their training as "dehumanizing" to perform their jobs. They come to me to recover what was destroyed but cannot be completely erased: the human aspects of their experiences that were overshadowed by their "robotic performances." This includes reconnecting with their emotions, regaining a sense of individuality, and healing from the psychological impacts of being trained to suppress their humanity in favor of mechanical efficiency.

How We Can Be Supportive:

• Spectators: Understand that international mobility adds another layer of challenge for athletes and appreciate their efforts.
• Team Members: Offer emotional and logistical support to help athletes adapt to new environments.
• Sponsors: Fund initiatives that address the unique challenges of high mobility, such as mental health services and personalized training programs.

The Human Behind the Performer

Athletes are more than just performers; they are individuals with personal lives, families, and emotional needs. The 2024 Olympic Games have taken a significant step in acknowledging this by incorporating facilities for athletes who are also parents. This recognizes that being a parent does not stop when one steps onto the field, track, or pool. The emotional bonds and responsibilities towards their children persist, and providing support for athlete-parents is essential.

However, it’s not just the athletes who are affected by these high-stakes events. The entire family system feels the impact of the Olympic Games. Family members staying behind experience the absence and stress of their loved ones competing far away. Children moving with their athlete parents have their routines disrupted, facing new environments, schools, and social settings. These changes add layers of stress and require significant physiological and emotional adjustments for everyone involved.

To truly support athletes, we must prepare the entire family for these transitions. Here’s how each group can contribute:

Spectators:

• Acknowledge the challenges faced by the athletes’ families and offer empathy and support.
• Advocate for family-friendly policies and facilities at events to ensure the well-being of athlete families.

Team Members:

• Provide psychological guidance to help athletes and their families cope with the pressures of international competition.
• Help children adapt to new routines and environments by offering stability and support.
• Create resources and support systems for family members who remain at home, ensuring they feel connected and supported.

Sponsors:

• Fund initiatives that support the holistic well-being of athletes and their families, such as mental health services and family accommodations.
• Invest in programs that assist children in adjusting to new routines and environments.
• Provide resources for family members who remain at home, helping them manage the stress and challenges of having a loved one compete internationally.

The Psychological Implications of neglecting family and personal needs

Unresolved grief from events such as miscarriage, the death of a loved one, or the breakdown of a relationship due to career demands can have lasting effects. As a specialist in high mobility and cross-cultural couples, I have witnessed the toll these unresolved issues can take. Relationships are central to our well-being because we are inherently social beings. We cannot and should not be expected to abandon our humanity in the pursuit of professional excellence.

The Olympic Games: A Stage for Life, Not an Escape

The Olympic Games are often seen as the pinnacle of an athlete's career, a time to shine on the world stage. However, it is crucial to recognize that our lives do not pause for these events; they continue to unfold alongside them. The Olympics are just another part of life, and they can serve as a powerful arena to process and transform past experiences.

The Perils of Suppression

Presenting the Olympics as a "temporary break from life" is misguided. Suppression of emotions and personal issues is one of the most harmful strategies an individual can employ. For athletes, who already face immense pressure to perform at superhuman levels, the added burden of unaddressed personal grief and stress can be particularly detrimental. High performance should not come at the cost of one's mental health and humanity.

To truly harness the power of emotions to our benefit, we must embrace guided emotional release. The Olympic Games could be seen as an opportunity to channel these powerful emotions constructively. By providing athletes with the support they need to address their personal and family issues, we can help them transform their pain into resilience and strength.

How can we be supportive:

Spectators:

• Advocate for Mental Health Awareness: Support campaigns and initiatives that promote mental health awareness among athletes. Engage in conversations that reduce the stigma around seeking psychological help. And most importantly, show empathy and understanding for athletes' emotional challenges and publicly appreciate their resilience.

Team Members:

• Create a Culture of Support: Encourage your athletes to seek psychological guidance and emotional coaching without fear of judgment. Provide regular access to mental health professionals as part of the training team. Foster a team environment where athletes feel safe to express their vulnerabilities and share their personal struggles. Implement team-building exercises that focus on emotional well-being and support.

Sponsors:

• Provide Resources for Mental Health Services: Fund initiatives that offer psychological guidance and emotional coaching to athletes. Ensure that athletes have access to mental health professionals, both during and outside of competition. Support programs that focus on creating safe spaces for athletes to express their vulnerabilities and work through their emotional challenges. Sponsor workshops and training sessions for athletes and team members on the importance of mental health and emotional resilience.

Fostering Resilience

To support athletes in these multifaceted roles, it is essential to provide the necessary tools and resources to foster resilience. Resilience is a well-documented human ability, but it requires the right environment to develop. By creating supportive spaces that acknowledge and address the emotional and psychological needs of athletes, we can help them thrive both in their professional and personal lives.

In conclusion, the Olympic Games are not just a celebration of physical prowess but also an opportunity to acknowledge and support the humanity of athletes. By fostering an environment that respects their personal lives and emotional well-being, we can help them achieve true excellence.

For personalized preventive interventions and support in navigating the challenges of high mobility and cross-cultural relationships, I invite you to contact me. Together, we can build resilience and ensure that no career, no matter how demanding, ever overshadows the importance of family and personal well-being.

Best wishes to all the athletes—may you find strength in every challenge and achieve greatness both on and off the field.

Karina