Mental Health in Extreme Sports: An Athlete Speaks Out
Hey everyone, it's Sally here! As an extreme sports enthusiast, I absolutely love sharing those jaw-dropping moments and high-adrenaline experiences with you.

But today, I want to talk about something that’s not often discussed in our world of thrilling stunts and challenges — mental health. I recently came across a powerful post by professional kiteboarder Graham Howes, and it really opened my eyes. In his own words, he’s courageously opening up about something many of us hide: depression and anxiety in extreme sports.

In 2019, Graham was diagnosed with major depression — a turning point that changed his life.

For years, he’d struggled with anger, frustration, and confusion, feeling like his mind had turned against him. His depression got so bad that it left him completely drained, stuck in a dark place for weeks. At first, Graham tried to fight through it alone, determined to use self-help books, meditation, and other remedies to take back control. But nothing worked. In a desperate attempt to reclaim his love for kiteboarding, he finally forced himself to go out on the water. And that’s when it happened — he experienced his first panic attack while kiteboarding.

It was terrifying, almost as though his body betrayed him. He thought he was having a heart attack while out on the water. But even in the face of that fear, Graham didn’t give up. He realized that mental health struggles, just like physical injuries, are real and deserve attention. The fight wasn’t over yet, but the journey to healing had begun.

What does this all mean? It’s time we start treating our mental health with the same care and urgency as we do with any physical injury. As Graham puts it, "You are not alone in your fight.

" Whether you’re a professional athlete or an amateur, it’s okay to not be okay. We’re all human, and we all have struggles that we must face head-on. "True strength isn’t just about pushing your body past limits; it’s about being brave enough to face the battles in your mind."
Let’s break down the stigma together — if you want to experience more of these life-changing conversations and get a glimpse of the world of extreme sports, head over to our page for videos, inspiring stories, and recommendations.

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