Years After Being Diagnosed With Depression, Lindsey Vonn Gives an Update on Her Post-Retirement Mental Health

Mental health has been a subject discussed like never before, especially in the world of sports. Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka made headlines in 2021, when she spoke about taking a break to give her mind a rest. That too, when her career had just started showing success. Osaka was unapologetic about her struggles with mental well-being. Now, skiing legend Lindsey Vonn has talked about focusing on mental health post-retirement.

Vonn was speaking on the occasion of World Mental Health Day on October 10, 2023. The Olympian sportswoman from USA opened up about the importance of taking care of one’s well-being as an athlete, not only physically but also mentally and emotionally. Lindsey Vonn is a 2010 Winter Olympics champion. Making her World Cup debut in 2000 when she was just 16, Lindsey retired in 2019 at the age of 34. 

Lindsey Vonn on retirement and mental well-being

In a video posted by Olympics.com, the Alpine skiing sports personality said, “There’s nothing that’s gonna replace the type of adrenaline and emotional experiences as you have in your competitive life. And no matter how prepared you are, it’s always gonna be a challenge.”

Lindsey Vonn said that despite trying other sports in her retirement phase, she missed skiing. “It’s definitely hard to replace the adrenaline I got from racing downhill. I don’t think I actually have found anything to replace it yet.”

She further added, “I have definitely tried to be adventurous in my life and try new sports, just to get a little bit of experience. But it’s definitely not the same. I miss ski racing a lot.” 

The star skier added that when she retired, “no one checked in on me”. Vonn highlighted that there is hardly any effort to provide a support system for retiring athletes. She said that because she has had success in her career, “everyone assumes that I’m okay…I’m totally fine”.

Athletes and mental breakdown

On Deadline: Special Report, a 2022 series on Mental Health Emergency in the USA, Lindsey Vonn had revealed that she had been diagnosed with depression. Even though on medication, she said she resisted therapy. She had thought then, “There was nothing wrong with me. And there is nothing wrong with me. There’s nothing wrong with me!”

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In 2021, ahead of the French Open, Naomi Osaka revealed about facing depression and anxiety and simply withdrew from the Grand Slam tournament. Although at first, she felt “ashamed” for a mental health break, she finally decided, “It’s O.K. Not to Be O.K.”. In hindsight, it was the right decision, as Osaka is still one of the top players in tennis.

However, mental health during retirement could be a different ball game altogether. Lindsey Vonn talked about a lot of fellow athletes she knows who are sad that they have been “left behind” after hanging their boots. “It’s a difficult transition,” she said.

With fame and fortune dwindling, and competition taking over, it is not easy to maintain a balance in life. The legendary skier thinks there is room for improvement in how athletes are taken care of after quitting their sport.

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