Growing Up Doing a Serious Sport
Updated: Sep 1
By: Sahiti Datla; Published:
The experience of a former gymnast of 12 years. A deep dive on behaviors and tendencies of those who did serious sports from a young age, identifying them and finding ways to grow from them.
My beginnings
Beginning from the age of 4, after a failed attempt at becoming a gifted pianist or an agile tennis player, I found myself engrossed in the bouncy trampolines and the endless showcasing of cartwheels at my local gymnasium.
I remember that first day, a coach talking to my mom:
"Would you consider allowing her to join competitive gymnastics?"
My mom looked at me, the coach continued:
"Instead of your usual two hours, it'll be four hours."
FOUR HOURS? Four hours? Honestly, I didn't really even know how long that was. The advanced math academy my parents had put me in hadn't really helped me fully grasp the real length of that. Yet, with as much as I could understand, I did feel slightly iffy about that.
"There will be a snack break in between."
Oh, a snack break? Oh, then it's fine. And so, I agreed.
With a quick minute conversation, I had shifted my future from aimlessly jumping around the spring floors to the learning of deliberate execution and perfection of my every move, not something I was accustomed to, while my mom had moved from a brisk idea of a way to get her daughter to fall asleep to paying quadruple the amount of tuition every month.
Feeling Not Enough
This singular moment is what led the next 12 years, a 12 years where all I knew was gymnastics. I did good in school, I made friends, I was a normal kid, making the source of all my problems, pain, emotions, and mood reliant on that one thing. Gymnastics.
I was always a decent gymast, someone who my coaches gave attention to, knowing I did have potential, but always getting stuck in that second place spot. Although I would accredit it to being in an insanely competitive age group and location or that I was too young to be competing in the level I was, the reality is what it is, and though it sucks to know how hard-working and disciplined I was, I was never able to say I was a great gymnastics. In more specialized terms, not a gymnast that you would try to push toward elite (or Olympics path for those who don't know gymnastics terminology), rather one that would be pushed toward college gymnastics. That being said, what I'm trying to convey is my experience growing up kind-of being mediocre, whilst also knowing that I'm not, in the sense that I did have potential, and a lot of people knew that as well.
One experience that really stuck with me was my third grade parent night, where one of your parents would visit your classroom and get to see some artwork, recent tests you've done, and your grades. My parents would always reluctantly go to these, both since they work, but also since I was never needed extra attention in my studies. This one time in specific, however, my dad had went (absolute once in a blue moon experience). My dad has never been one to be involved in either my studies or gymnastics, so it was pretty exciting to me. At the end of this night, the parents were told to write a note to their kids that they would see the next day at school when they come in, and so my dad did. That next day, I remember wondering what those notes were. My friends begin excitedly opening their letters to: "Love you!", "So proud of you!", and more sweet words. Seeing my friends, I open mine to: "Remember... there's no 2nd or 3rd place, only 1st place." Which, even at my tiny age of 8, was absolutely insane. My dad, who has never been involved or tried to be involved, told me that I have to be 1st place. Not that I was mad or upset, more so, displeased, like... who are you to say that? (It was actually not that serious and I do jokingly bring it up today asking why he would feel the need to tell an 8 year old that and he doesn't admit it, but he surely asks himself that same question. That being said, I do understand it's tough love and that's the way my dad was raised himself).
Back to the point, as much as little me thought this was slightly dumb, it still added to my feelings of insufficieny and manifested into me as a person at a young age. Obviously, all of us people who did serious sports have our own unique experiences, but this feeling is something I've seen in a lot of my teammates and many others of other sports as well.
Giving Up
One major thing I would often do was give up. Straight up, at practice, at a competition, especially at a competition, if I had deemed that I had ruined it for myself enough, I would just give up.
Throughout the span of my gymnastics, I would continue to surrender to any minor inconvenience. It wasn't that I couldn't do it or didn't want to do it, or that I wanted to quit (which my mom would try to get me to do any time I complained or cried, which is a story to dive into later), rather that if I personally gave up and accepted defeat, it wouldn't be at fault of my geniune capabilities. It was a way for me to cope and just simply abandon my ship, so instead of doing kind-of bad and feeling bad and guilty about it, I could just ruin it completely and detach myself from it.
This was something I had done since a very young age, and as I got older, my coach pointed it out and I did become aware of it, yet that didn't change my ways.
In 2022, on my final meet of Level 8, I was on the road to reach every one of my life-long dreams:
Get into the Level 8 Regional State Team
In USA Gymnastics, there's a couple competitions, then at the end, there's the state competition, then the regional competition for Levels 6-8. What's special about the regional competition, however, is that there is a chance, if you do well enough at the state competition, to qualify for the Regional State Team, where you and other qualified girls from your region can compete against other gymnasts around the country. It was quite competitive, but I was able to qualify, despite not being fully happy with my performance at the state competition. I was over the moon.
Get a 38.000 All Around score.
In gymnastics, there's 4 events, vault, bars, beam, floor, each event is scored out of 10. For each of the events, depending on your score you get placed in comparison to the other girls you're competing against, plus an extra All Around score which is the combination of all 4 scores, so a score out of 40 which is the ultimate standing of your performance. I had long dreamt of a 38, and as this was my final year of Level 8, and knowing that Level 9 and Level 10 were going to be substantially harder than this, I was hoping for this goal to be achieved. Beginning with bars at this State Team meet, I had somehow brought everything together and scored a whopping 9.8, hitting every cast handstand, every clear hip, and sticking my landing. What a start. Beam, I wobbled a bit, still beautiful, amazing score, I was on the en route to achieve both my lasting goals in one day.
Understanding these disorders is the first step in breaking the stigma. By educating ourselves and others, we can foster a more supportive environment for those struggling with mental health issues.
The Impact of Stigma
Stigma surrounding mental health can have devastating effects. It can prevent individuals from seeking help, lead to feelings of isolation, and exacerbate their conditions. Here are some key points about the impact of stigma:
Fear of Judgment: Many individuals fear being judged or labeled, which can deter them from discussing their mental health struggles.
Discrimination: Stigma can lead to discrimination in various areas, including employment, education, and healthcare.
Internalized Stigma: Individuals may internalize negative beliefs about mental health, leading to feelings of shame and worthlessness.
Real-Life Examples
Consider the story of Sarah, a young woman who struggled with anxiety. She felt unable to share her feelings with friends and family due to fear of being dismissed or misunderstood. This isolation only worsened her condition. However, when she finally opened up to a supportive friend, she found relief and encouragement to seek professional help. Sarah's story illustrates how breaking the stigma can lead to healing and support.
Promoting Mental Health Awareness
Raising awareness about mental health is crucial in combating stigma. Here are some effective strategies:
Education and Training
Workshops and Seminars: Organizing events that educate people about mental health can foster understanding and empathy.
School Programs: Implementing mental health education in schools can help children and adolescents understand their emotions and seek help when needed.
Open Conversations
Encourage Dialogue: Create safe spaces for individuals to share their experiences without fear of judgment.
Use Social Media: Platforms can be powerful tools for sharing personal stories and resources related to mental health.
Support Groups
Peer Support: Establishing support groups can provide individuals with a sense of community and belonging.
Professional Guidance: Collaborating with mental health professionals can ensure that support groups are effective and safe.
How to Support Someone with Mental Health Issues
If you know someone struggling with mental health issues, your support can make a significant difference. Here are some ways to help:
Listen Actively
Be Present: Sometimes, just being there for someone can provide immense comfort.
Avoid Judgment: Listen without offering unsolicited advice or judgment.
Encourage Professional Help
Suggest Resources: Gently encourage them to seek help from a mental health professional.
Offer to Help: Offer to assist them in finding a therapist or attending appointments.
Be Patient
Understand Their Journey: Recovery takes time, and everyone’s journey is different.
Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge their progress, no matter how small.
The Role of Employers in Mental Health Awareness
Employers play a vital role in promoting mental health awareness in the workplace. Here are some initiatives they can implement:
Mental Health Policies
Create a Supportive Environment: Develop policies that promote mental health and well-being among employees.
Provide Resources: Offer access to mental health resources, such as counseling services and workshops.
Training for Managers
Recognize Signs: Train managers to recognize signs of mental health issues in their team members.
Encourage Open Communication: Foster an environment where employees feel safe discussing their mental health.
The Importance of Self-Care
Self-care is essential for maintaining mental health. Here are some self-care practices to consider:
Physical Activity
Exercise Regularly: Physical activity can boost mood and reduce anxiety.
Explore New Activities: Try different forms of exercise, such as yoga, dancing, or hiking.
Mindfulness and Relaxation
Practice Mindfulness: Techniques like meditation and deep breathing can help reduce stress.
Engage in Hobbies: Pursuing hobbies can provide a sense of accomplishment and joy.
Social Connections
Stay Connected: Maintain relationships with friends and family to foster a support network.
Join Community Groups: Engage in community activities to meet new people and build connections.
Conclusion
Breaking the stigma surrounding mental health is a collective effort that requires education, open dialogue, and support. By promoting mental health awareness, we can create a more understanding and compassionate society. Remember, it’s okay to seek help, and you are not alone in your struggles. Together, we can foster a culture of acceptance and support for mental health.
Call to Action
Take the first step today. Share this blog post with friends and family, start conversations about mental health, and encourage those around you to seek help when needed. Together, we can break the stigma and support one another on the journey to better mental health.
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