Imagine an Olympic champ doubting if they would ever be able to compete at the highest level. That was Suni Lee’s situation while she fought a serious kidney condition the previous year. Lee was unable to squeeze her fingers or even move her knees. Due to her illness, Lee’s face was swollen and nearly unrecognizable. “I looked like a completely different person. It was very, very miserable,“ Lee stated earlier, looking back at the situation. This experience spotlighted the mental health issues top athletes face while competing.

Now, in an attempt to secure a coveted position on Team USA, Suni Lee is getting ready for the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials. Lee, renowned for commitment, has encountered several difficulties along the way. Nevertheless, she stays focused, using a variety of techniques to preserve her physical and mental well-being. A peek into Lee’s preparations can be seen in her open talks on her mental health routines. These observations help comprehend her journey, but they may also function as motivation for anyone facing similar difficulties.

Suni Lee has been transparent about her mental health routines, highlighting their significance in helping her get ready for the challenges. “I like to journal a lot,“ Lee said. “I visualize a lot too, just because gymnastics is such a mental game.“ This strategy improves her strength and concentration, which are essential for giving her the greatest effort.

Furthermore, Lee finds clarity in her feelings when she writes in her journal. “It’s just been my life for so long, to the point where if my gymnastics is not right, I don’t really know how to work outside of that, but journaling has been really important to me,“ she added. She can better handle the psychological requirements of gymnastics with the support of this practice, which keeps her grounded.

Apart from keeping a journal, Lee goes to therapy sessions to express herself about her emotions. “I go to therapy, talk about my feelings, and that’s been a big change from I think the last Olympics, and getting ready for this one,“ she explained. She can process her feelings in a safe environment through therapy, which improves her general well-being. However, Lee’s commitment to her mental well-being reveals how crucial mental training is for athletes.

Suni Lee’s mental strategies ahead of the Paris Olympics

Another crucial component of Lee’s preparation is visualization. “I’ve visualized my routines for as long as I can remember,” she noted. “I love visualizing myself in an Olympic arena and doing my routines just to get a feel of everything and all of the possibilities that could happen.“ She can mentally train her performance owing to this exercise, which helps her be prepared for any situation.

Lee’s pre-competition routines enhance her visualization activities. Additionally, she plays her favorite music, including songs by SZA, Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, and Lil Baby, the day before the meet. She feels refreshed and able to adopt the proper mindset as a result. She also takes her time on makeup and hair, which adds to her preparedness. “When you feel your best, you can go out there and compete your best,“ Lee stated. By combining her physical and mental training, she makes sure she is ready for every competition.

Moreover, Lee strongly focuses on taking care of herself outside of her workouts. She likes to pamper herself with facial masks, skincare products, and salon services, including lash and nail services. “I love doing my skincare routine, face masks, and just, like I said, making myself feel better, so getting my lashes done, nails done, and just doing anything that I can that puts me back at peace,“ she continued. Suni Lee feels more confident and at ease after engaging in these activities, which improves her general well-being. Undoubtedly, as she fights for a seat in Team USA, her mental health strategies will help her succeed at the trials and beyond.