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Olympic Athletes Share Coping Secrets for Extreme Stress
4 Feb
Summary
- Athletes use silence, nature walks, and breathwork to manage Olympic pressure.
- Gymnast Aly Raisman advocates for mental health after her career.
- Snowboarder Amy Purdy transitioned to motivational speaking and writing.
Three Olympians, Aly Raisman, Jason Brown, and Amy Purdy, shared their experiences managing the intense stress of elite competition during a Fireside Chat with Hershey's. Aly, a six-time Olympic medalist in gymnastics, Jason, a two-time Olympian figure skater, and Amy, a two-time Paralympian snowboarder, discussed the anxieties that resurface during the Olympic cycle.
To cope with the pressure, Aly finds solace in silence, allowing herself time for reflection. Jason combats stress by spending time outdoors and taking walks, a contrast to his indoor training environment. Amy practices breathwork, which she found instrumental in achieving a deep flow state during her Paralympic career.
Both Aly and Amy have retired from their respective sports and are pursuing new ventures. Aly is now a mental health advocate and program designer, while Amy is a motivational speaker and author, having released multiple books. Jason recently competed in the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, with his future competitive status yet to be determined.
