Michigan Grad G Ryan Opens up About Depression, Gender Dysphoria

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The University of Michigan’s Athletes Connected program released a new video on Tuesday about U-M swimming alum G Ryan, who describes their mental health journey through depression, anxiety and gender dysphoria.

This video focuses on five-time Big Ten champion and four-time All-American swimmer G Ryan, who identifies as a non-binary person and previously swam on the U-M women’s team.

Before arriving in Ann Arbor, Ryan already struggled with depression and anxiety. While competing for Michigan, Ryan began to battle negative body image in a unique way unrelated to nutrition.

“It was something else,” Ryan said. “Dysphoria related to my gender identity, and I didn’t know how to deal with it.”

After attending Athletes Connected wellness groups, consulting with a counselor in the athletic department and a psychiatrist at University Health Service, Ryan eventually saw another counselor outside of U-M. Ryan made balancing the demands of student-athlete life and personal life a priority to craft a necessary support system.

Ryan found their place at U-M’s Spectrum Center, which aids Michigan students in the LGBTA community and “envisions an inclusive campus community free of discrimination in all forms where social justice inspires community engagement and equity.”

“There wasn’t one clear, direct path to feeling like my best self,” Ryan said. “It took time, a lot of trial and error, and a willingness to ask for help, even when I wasn’t exactly sure what I needed.”

Ryan graduated this spring with a bachelor’s in English and in Women’s Studies. They currently serve as an education and training program specialist at the Spectrum Center.

— The above press release was posted by Swimming World in conjunction with the University of Michigan. For press releases and advertising inquiries please contact Advertising@SwimmingWorld.com.

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Mary Gursky

5 years ago

This better not be a man racing on a women’s team ?

Alison Bergquist

5 years ago

Reply to Mary Gursky

“This video focuses on five-time Big Ten champion and four-time All-American swimmer G Ryan, who identifies as a non-binary person and previously swam on the U-M women’s team.”

Collette Sappey

5 years ago

Reply to Mary Gursky

Mary Gursky why don’t you take 2 minutes and watch the video? Information=Understanding=Love and Compassion

Dirk Smith

5 years ago

Reply to Mary Gursky

Mary Gursky make sure you actually take the time to understand and educate yourself about the actual information before making such stupid comment. #knowledgeispower

Collette Sappey

5 years ago

Reply to Mary Gursky

Dirk Smith on point

Alison Bergquist

5 years ago

Reply to Mary Gursky

Mary Gursky this is an interesting topic and while I agree that it is sad to watch our youth struggle in these ways, it does break my heart to see the pain. It is interesting to see the article use the pronoun “they” while referring to this non binary young person. That alone is is evidence of loss of identity. There is a reason the suicide rate for this population is so high. Ryan could use our prayers, as could her family. That being said, if Ryan were physically a male, it would be wrong for him to race against women. In a competition it really doesn’t matter what you mentally and emotionally identify as for gender but muscle mass and hormones play a significant role. Men simply have more Muscle mass and are faster. In that case it would be significantly unfair to other women competing. As a mom to both a boy and a girl, both who swim competitively and love it, this will sadly be something we will need to deal with in the future. For the people speaking up in outrage against you, we cannot deal with this topic with indignation and name calling. We do have to address it with fairness and kindness. Kindness and understanding need to be on both sides of this discussion.

MK Mahoney

5 years ago

Wow

Andy Cinoman

5 years ago

This video is fantastic and incredibly powerful. Kudos to the University of Michigan for providing such valuable resources for the university community, and to Swimming World for sharing it with the aquatic community.

I have such respect for G Ryan as an athlete and a person.