Whatever you're feeling right now, it's real, it's valid, and it doesn't have to stay this heavy. You reached out. That matters.
You don't have to be in crisis to call. If something feels wrong, that's enough.
A lot of people who are struggling learn to perform fine on the outside. They show up, they compete, they smile in the right places. And then they go home and don't know how to explain what's happening inside. If that sounds familiar, you are not alone and you are not broken.
You don't need to be able to explain it perfectly. You don't need to know if it's "serious enough." You just need to tell one person that something is wrong. That's all. One person. One conversation.
Tom Shields is a two-time Olympic gold medalist. He carried this silently for years. Going public was the hardest thing he's ever done, and also the most important. The culture that told you to push through it was wrong. Taking care of your mind is part of being an athlete.
If you're in crisis right now, call or text 988. It's free, confidential, and available 24/7. If you're not in crisis but you're struggling, reach out to someone you trust, a coach, a parent, a teammate, a counselor. You can also contact us at the Tom Shields Foundation and we'll help you find support.