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Libby Trickett takes a stand on mental health, reaches out to swim champion Kyle Chalmers

Olympian Libby Trickett has revealed what she would tell swimming champion Kyle Chalmers, as he faces stiff competition in the pool and questions about his love life.

Champion swimmer Libby Trickett is literally taking a stand for mental health and reaching out to athletes facing retirement to help avoid some of the mental health challenges she faced when she left the sport in 2013

She has set herself the aim of doing a handstand by December 31 as a means of moving in a new way and improving her own mental outlook.

Key to her own recovery, aside from medication, journaling and meditation, was exercise but this time it wasn’t pressured, swimming 35 hours a week. It was exercising for pleasure, and it’s opened a whole new world.

“One of the joys I’ve had from all my life experiences is how much I love moving my body, rather than coming at it from a punishing way,’’ she says.

“At the moment, my goal is to be able to do a handstand by the end of the year for no other reason than I want to. It’s just the joy of the experience, rather than a PB. I’m passionate about sharing that concept.

“We need to move our bodies in ways that feel good in our bodies and for fun. There are still moments where I have that competitiveness but it’s a visceral response and I talk myself through it.’’

Libby Trickett is working with Snap Fitness to improve the mental health of Australians.
Libby Trickett is working with Snap Fitness to improve the mental health of Australians.

Her own spiralling depression that happened when she first retired in 2010 is well known and she wants to share her knowledge with others on what has helped her through the process.

“Even if it’s just to set up a coffee, have a conversation or do a social media post, I’m there to let them know they don’t have to be bullet proof,’’ Trickett says.

“I hope we’re at a point now where people know they don’t have to feel isolated. The identity we have as elite athletes is to be strong and not show any vulnerability but, with vulnerability, comes incredible courage so no-one should be afraid of reaching out, to talk about their experiences.’’

When Trickett first retired in 2010 and stopped exercising completely, her mental health declined severely. Her solution was to return to professional swimming with a punishing training regimen and went onto compete in the London Olympics in 2012.

But then she retired, had her first child Poppy in 2015 and slumped into postnatal depression. A gradual process of rebuilding her identity and approach to exercise has brought her to a new, more stable, place and it’s one she’s keen to share with everyday Australians, not just elite athletes.

“I’m the happiest I’ve ever been,’’ she says.

“I still definitely have anxiety which has come on more since having kids (Poppy, 7, Edwina, 4, Bronte, 2) but now I’m able to articulate what I’m feeling and have more emotional literacy which has been a game changer.’’

Commonwealth Games gold medallist Kyle Chalmers. Picture: AFP
Commonwealth Games gold medallist Kyle Chalmers. Picture: AFP

WATCHING KING KYLE

Trickett says she has been watching the drama unfold around Australian Commonwealth gold medallist Kyle Chalmers in Birmingham and hopes to connect with him to offer mental health support when he returns home.

Chalmers admitted he feels like quitting swimming after reports of a rift between him and ex-girlfriend Emma McKeon as well as fellow team member and her current boyfriend Cody Simpson.

“From the outside looking in, it’s hard to understand what particular thing is causing him so much stress but that’s the nature of mental health. We don’t know each other’s triggers. You feel like you’re in a pressure cooker and those pressures are really challenging,” Trickett says.

She says she is in awe of Chalmers for “being able to articulate what he’s experiencing this week and go on to win gold”.

“That takes a remarkable enormous character. It would be a massive shame and massive loss to swimming if he was to retire and end in a bitter way. He’s still so young and I would think he’d have many years ahead competitively swimming,” Trickett says.

Luke Foster, psychologist and spokesperson for mental health charity Livin
Luke Foster, psychologist and spokesperson for mental health charity Livin

ENJOYING EXERCISE

Psychologist and spokesperson for mental health charity Livin Luke Foster says exercise is never sustainable unless it’s enjoyable.

“The exercise you enjoy doing or, at the very least, the exercise you will do consistently is the right one,’’ Foster says.

“In the early stages, just doing the exercise that gives you some level of enjoyment is great. If you’re not a fan of doing cross fit until you’re vomiting and like a brisk walk, do that and gradually ramp it up.”

Snap Fitness personal trainer and owner of Habit Health & Fitness Jess Swann agrees that exercise shouldn’t be yet another of life’s pressures, especially when starting.

“If you can create small but sustainable habits and find a routine to incorporate into your daily life, exercise won’t be a chore because it’s just part of your life,’’ Swann says.

“Then, it’s not ‘I have to do exercise.’ It’s ‘I get to do exercise’.’’

HOW TO START EXERCISING

1. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. You’ll be overwhelmed if you suddenly take long walks, do strength training and change your diet. We run away when we don’t perfect everything so you’re more likely to achieve your goals if you reach one at a time.

2. You can train well from home with online programs but, if you want to go to a gym, open

days are a great way to get a feel for it.

3. Social contact is great for motivation. Even just saying hello to the gym receptionist is great for mental health.

Source: Jess Swann and Luke Foster.

* Snap Fitness Clubs will open their doors during National Mental Health Month, October 3-8, free of charge.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/lifestyle/smart/libby-trickett-takes-a-stand-on-mental-health-reaches-out-to-swim-champion-kyle-chalmers/news-story/7456b0e0fba4f6ac3291b6384cf95e56