{"id":450869,"date":"2020-11-01T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-11-01T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=450869"},"modified":"2020-11-01T12:24:45","modified_gmt":"2020-11-01T19:24:45","slug":"swimming-world-presents-a-voice-for-the-sport-speaking-out-on-mental-health-by-john-lohn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/swimming-world-presents-a-voice-for-the-sport-speaking-out-on-mental-health-by-john-lohn\/","title":{"rendered":"Swimming World Presents – A Voice For The Sport: Speaking Out On Mental Health – By John Lohn"},"content":{"rendered":"

The latest issue of Swimming World Magazine<\/em><\/span>
\nis now available for download in the<\/span> Swimming World Vault<\/span><\/strong><\/a>!<\/p>\n

Non-Subscribers Can Download This Issue Here<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

A Voice For The Sport<\/span><\/h1>\n

Speaking Out On Mental Health<\/span><\/h1>\n

By John Lohn<\/span><\/p>\n

For all she has accomplished in her career\u2014including eight medals over three Olympiads\u2014Allison Schmitt is making her first Swimming World cover appearance this month. When we learned that fact to be true, there was a sense of bewilderment. How could an athlete as decorated as Schmitt have not been featured? It was just one of those fell-through-the-cracks situations.<\/p>\n

The opportunity to highlight Schmitt this month is pleasing. There is the chance to celebrate her Hall of Fame career, but more important, the opportunity for Schmitt to discuss her bouts with depression and mental-health struggles. As an athlete who has ascended to the top of her sport, Schmitt will long be revered for her talents in the pool. Yet, she recognizes the impact she can have on others by speaking out about her challenges.<\/p>\n

Every day, countless individuals are faced with mental-health struggles. They may experience depression or anxiety. They may possess suicidal thoughts. They may not recognize their self-worth and live in a constant cycle of inner pain. While some of these individuals will seek help and address their struggles, many more will not. The implications of not confronting these challenges run the spectrum\u2014from living a painful life to tragically ending one.<\/p>\n

Schmitt is no stranger to applause, the crowning moment of her athletic career a gold medal in the 200 meter freestyle at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Her performance was mesmerizing, as Schmitt charged to the front of the lead from the start and dared her rivals to stay with her. They could not. The effort etched Schmitt into Olympic lore, but it also opened the door to her mental-health difficulties. Was Olympic champion her identity? What was next? They were questions she faced.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, Schmitt confronted her struggles, and has been a proactive voice speaking about the importance of mental health. It is often said that athletes should not be role models, or athletes occasionally will express disinterest in handling that identity. Schmitt, though, is one of several swimmers who has embraced the importance of being forthright with her issues and someone willing to assist others.<\/p>\n

Think about the 15-year-old who is a rising star. He or she may be frequently featured in the local newspaper, and eventually have that successful profile reach a national level. Oftentimes, they will be lauded for their achievements in the water, only to feel empty inside and wondering, \u201cBut what about me as a person?\u201d<\/p>\n

Schmitt, Michael Phelps and Adam Peaty are just three athletes from our sport who have sought out a platform to discuss mental health. Each has given mental health a face that others can identify with and use as support. Through the efforts of Schmitt, Phelps and Peaty, maybe that 15-year-old will think: \u201cIf they sought help, maybe I should, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

In an interview in early October, just ahead of World Mental Health Day, Peaty spoke of the importance of talking. He also noted there is a stigma surrounding men who talk about how they feel. Eliminating that stigma is crucial. There is nothing wrong with asking for help. In fact, it is braver to reach out and discuss problems than to remain quiet and make one susceptible to mental-health troubles.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do think you should talk to the people in your closest circle\u2014your partner, your best friend or your coach or whoever it\u2019s going to be,\u201d Peaty said. \u201cYou\u2019ve got to talk to people and to get it off your chest. For me, I respond really well to an issue by just saying something, just getting it off my chest and really thinking about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Allison Schmitt graces the cover of Swimming World for the first time, we are thrilled to present our readership with the story of this American standout. More, we\u2019re thankful for what Schmitt has done for the sport\u2014and beyond\u2014by opening up about mental health and its importance in the world.<\/p>\n

That role is worthy of a gold medal in itself.<\/p>\n

John Lohn<\/strong>
\nAssociate Editor-in-Chief
\nSwimming World Magazine<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To check out the full issue of Swimming World Magazine November 2020,<\/a>
\n<\/span><\/strong>Click here to download now!<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\"Swimming<\/a><\/span><\/strong>[PHOTO CREDIT: CONNOR TRIMBLE]<\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

Get Swimming World Magazine<\/em> and Swimming World Biweekly<\/em> FREE When You<\/span>
\nBecome A Member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/h3>\n

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Want more? Get a 1 Year ISHOF Family Membership With Swimming World Print AND<\/em> Digital Subscription<\/span> Order Now!<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/h3>\n

Non-Subscribers can click here to download this issue for only $5.94<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/h2>\n

<\/h2>\n

Swimming World Magazine November 2020 Issue<\/span><\/h2>\n

FEATURES<\/p>\n

010<\/span> OPEN WATER SWIMMERS OF THE DECADE (2010-19)<\/span><\/strong>
\nby Andy Ross<\/strong>
\nSince the COVID-19 pandemic prevented Swimming World from naming Open Water Swimmers of the Year for 2020, the magazine, instead, takes a look at the top marathon athletes over the last 10 years.<\/p>\n

015<\/span> HIGHLIGHTING ISHOF\u2019S 1980 OLYMPIC EXHIBIT<\/span><\/strong>
\nby Bruce Wigo<\/strong>
\nAs we mark the 40th anniversary of the 1980 Olympic Games, much has been written and discussed about the impact on the athletes who were denied the opportunity to compete in Moscow. Lost in most of these discussions is the significance of the boycott to the Olympic movement, which is why, in 2014, the International Swimming Hall of Fame made it the subject of one of the largest permanent exhibits in its museum.<\/p>\n

018<\/span> OLYMPIC HISTORY WITHIN REACH<\/span><\/strong>
\nby David Rieder<\/strong>
\nDespite the global pandemic, the Olympic postponement and a coaching change, Italy\u2019s Gregorio Paltrinieri put together some of the best swimming of his career last summer in the 800 and 1500 meter freestyle as well as the 10K marathon. Come Tokyo 2021, he\u2019ll be trying to become the first swimmer ever to capture Olympic gold in both the pool and open water events.<\/p>\n

021<\/span> STILL SWIMMING STRONG<\/span><\/strong>
\nby Dan D\u2019Addona<\/strong>
\nThroughout Allison Schmitt\u2019s illustrious swimming career, the three-time Olympian and eight-time Olympic medalist has experienced success and has dealt with her share of struggles. Now 30, she remains goal-oriented and continues to be one of the world\u2019s elite athletes.<\/p>\n

026<\/span> THE TRUE OLYMPIC SPIRIT<\/span><\/strong>
\nby John Lohn<\/strong>
\nPierre de Coubertin developed the Olympic motto that stressed athletic prowess, but he also said, \u201cThe most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning, but taking part.\u201d That description fit Eric the Eel Moussambani perfectly when he swam all by himself in Heat 1 of the men\u2019s 100 meter freestyle at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and finished in slightly less than two minutes!<\/p>\n

COACHING<\/p>\n

012<\/span> TOUGHEST WORKOUTS (Part 1)<\/span><\/strong>
\nby Michael J. Stott<\/strong>
\nHere\u2019s a painful\u2014but\u00a0 productive\u2014sampling from yesteryear of some coaches\u2019 toughest workouts ever.<\/p>\n

036<\/span> SWIMMING TECHNIQUE CONCEPTS: DEVELOPMENT OF AN OPTIMAL MODEL FOR TECHNIQUE: PART IX\u2014BODY BASE OF SUPPORT FOR BACKSTROKE<\/span><\/strong>
\nby Rod Havriluk<\/strong>
\nAn optimal backstroke body base of support (BOS) depends on first mastering a level torso and then mastering torso rotation. An optimal BOS facilitates the arm motion to maximize propulsion.<\/p>\n

038<\/span> SPECIAL SETS: A REALLY SPECIAL SET<\/span><\/strong>
\nby Michael J. Stott<\/strong>
\nNov. 21, 1975: Mike Bruner\u2019s 100 x 100 on 1:00!<\/p>\n

042<\/span> Q&A WITH COACH LORI RIEGLER<\/span><\/strong>
\nby Michael J. Stott<\/strong><\/p>\n

043<\/span> HOW THEY TRAIN JACK ALEXY AND MEREDITH RIEGLER<\/span><\/strong>
\nby Michael J. Stott<\/strong><\/p>\n

TRAINING<\/p>\n

035<\/span> DRYSIDE TRAINING: LET\u2019S RACE<\/span><\/strong>
\nby J.R. Rosania<\/strong>
\nWith COVID-19 being managed somewhat and new protocols being put in place, racing is slowly coming back. Here are some exercises that will help get your body ready to race.<\/p>\n

JUNIOR SWIMMER<\/p>\n

046<\/span> UP & COMERS: ALANA BERLIN<\/span><\/strong>
\nby Shoshanna Rutemiller<\/strong><\/p>\n

COLUMNS & SPECIAL SECTIONS<\/p>\n

008<\/span>\u00a0 A VOICE FOR THE SPORT<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

014<\/span>\u00a0 DID YOU KNOW: ABOUT HYDROMANIA?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

029<\/span> HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

045<\/span> THE OFFICIAL WORD<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

047<\/span> GUTTERTALK<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

049<\/span> PARTING SHOT<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n