AIS Mental Health Fitness program’s Ellen Ryan and her extraordinary journey to gold

She had her heart set on competing at one of the biggest sporting events in the world. When it didn’t happen it knocked her for six. How this athlete battled back to win double gold

Ellen Ryan celebrating her victory after her singles gold medal win.

It was a text message that sent Ellen Ryan reeling.

A notification that she had not been selected to play for Australia at an event she had dreamt of competing at – the Commonwealth Games.

Even now, five years on, lawn bowler Ryan remembers the devastation she felt when told she would not be competing at the 2018 Games on the Gold Coast.

“I just felt deflated. I was really upset but I had to give credit to the others because they all earned their spots,’’ she said.

“I did cry a lot. I laid in bed for a couple of hours. It was a shock.

“I felt part of my life was over. I felt there was a hole in my life.’’

Ellen Ryan with the first of her two gold medals.

Suffering a blow to her confidence and contemplating quitting the sport, Ryan, a school learning officer at Goulburn High, then did two things which changed the course of her life.

She started work as an on-call firefighterr with Fire and Rescue NSW and then reached out to AIS Mental Health Referral Network and an Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement Manager.

“I lost my confidence, I didn't want to play anymore, I thought about all the hard work and not getting the reward,’’ she said.

Fire and Rescue Goulburn's message to their firefighter Ellen Ryan who won gold in the lawn bowl competition at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

“They supported me and helped me set new goals and motivated me to get back into it. It’s always good to talk to someone.

“I put my chin up and kept plodding away.’’

That plodding delivered her Commonwealth Games selection for the Birmingham Games last year and place in history as the first Australian lawn bowler to win gold on UK soil and the first to win singles and pairs gold.

A recent AIS Mental Health audit found 50 per cent of athletes who took part sought mental health treatment in 2022, up from 39 per cent in 2018 and that the majority of high performance coaches and support staff feel comfortable talking about mental health struggles.

Ryan is now one of 22 athletes appointed by the AIS as Mental Fitness Ambassadors.

Ellen Ryan and Kristina Krstic after their pairs gold.

The AIS has partnered with the Black Dog Institute for the initiative aimed at reducing rates of mental health issues among young Australians.

For six months Ryan and others will share their stories and mental health strategies with high school students across the country.

“I’m a big fan, a big advocate for mental health,’' she said. “I know how important it is for young adults to know about mental health. So I wanted to get involved.’’

2023 AIS Mental Fitness Program athlete ambassadors

Aleisha Power, Hockey Australia, Perth

Caitlin Parker, Combat Australia, Melbourne

David Bryant, Triathlon Australia, Perth

Elizabeth Simms, Water Polo Australia, Sydney

Ellen Ryan, Bowls Australia, Goulburn, NSW

Emily Hamilton-Smith, Hockey Australia, Melbourne

Giorgia Patten, Rowing Australia, Sydney

Jack Cleary, Rowing Australia, Canberra

Jean van der Westhuyzen, Paddle Australia, Gold Coast

Laetisha Scanlan, Shooting Australia, Melbourne

Lily Alton Triggs, Rowing Australia, Brisbane

Matthew Glaetzer, AUSCycling, Adelaide

Mitchell Larkin, Swimming Australia, Brisbane

Nathan Katz, Judo Australia, Melbourne

Seve de Campo, Snow Australia, Canberra

Sian Whittaker, Swimming Australia, Melbourne

Sophie Jackson, Australian Sailing, Melbourne

Stefanie Weiler, Volleyball Australia, Adelaide

Tamsin Cook, Swimming Australia, Melbourne

Tegan Reder, Swimming Australia, Perth

Zana Evans, Snow Australia, Jindabyne

Zoe Vorenas, Equestrian Australia, Melbourne

Originally published as AIS Mental Health Fitness program’s Ellen Ryan and her extraordinary journey to gold