My Journey With Anxiety & Mental Health
In honor of World Mental Health Day, a share.
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I definitely struggled with my mental health as a teenager. At the time, I didn’t really know much about it. I just figured that the experiences that I were going through and the feelings that I had were par for the course.
As an adult, however, my experience with anxiety and depression really showed up at the beginning of 2022. After spending weeks feeling a little numb and a lot of frustration, I began to question if the crippling anxiety and sense of meh I was experiencing was “normal.” I felt so lonely. I would go entire days sitting at my desk without getting much done, simply going through the motions. Things that previously brought my joy felt different.
I distinctly remember having a conversation with a physician in a small, shoebox-sized office at One Medical down the street. I told her that running, something that otherwise brings me immense pleasure, felt simply an activity I did because I identified as a runner. Her response? “Well, that happens when you have depression. The things that bring you joy may not feel the same.”
Me? Depressed? The otherwise positive, optimistic person who loves being happy? Who loves bringing light to others? How did I get here?
That’s the thing, though. It’s not like you can attribute a shift in your mental health to a single cause, and it’s more complex than a brain chemical imbalance. It can occur for a variety of reasons and as a result of many triggers. Triggers like an upsetting life event. Illness. Job or money concerns.
A lot has happened since that 2022 visit to the doctor’s office. I can say for certain that, two+ years later, I’m in a much better place. A place filled with lessons and experiences that make me entirely aware how important it is to normalize conversations around mental health and overall wellbeing. Do I type this as someone who has it all figured out? Of course not. There are still days I feel like my mental health is throwing me for an absolute loop. But I do know this to be true: I am not alone in my experience, and for that — it feels a whole lot less lonely.
PROMPT: What is one thing you do to take care of your mental health? When was the last time you deliberately took action to navigate a particularly difficult moment or situation?
Keep hurdling,
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
I’m Loving: Effortless Support High-Rise Pocketed 6-Inch Bike Short
I just ordered two more pairs, bringing my tally up to four. I will without-a-doubt be running the marathon in these! After lululemon discontinued my favorites throughout the years (R.I.P. Wunder Train with pockets and Invigorate Short), I was worried I would never feel this way about a short again (dramatic, sure).
However! This style from Target — of all places — is the perfect replacement at a fraction of the price. With four pockets (including one with a zipper) — there’s enough space for everything I want to carry including gels, my cell, AirPods case, and credit card. Seriously, grab them before they sell out.
I’m Listening To: Kamala Harris on Call Her Daddy
I was candidly shocked when this interview popped up in my feed this week. I wouldn’t say that I listen to Call Her Daddy regularly, but definitely have respect for all that Alex Cooper has built. Do I wish there were more hard hitting questions in this episode? For sure. It felt like a lot of underhand tosses. But really, that was the point. The sole purpose of this interview was to appeal to women who were already thinking of voting for Kamala, rather than encourage anyone to change their mind about their chosen candidate. Alex is seemingly getting a lot of backlash over this, but I think it’s important that with a platform of her size — she’s using it to encourage people to vote come November.
Prompt I’m Loving: What comes to mind first when you think of what makes you feel safe?
Quote I’m Loving: “You are not the work you do; you are the person you are.” — Toni Morrison
NEW ON THE SHOW 🎧
NEW PODCAST EPISODE 🎧: 321. Embracing The Pivot: Olympian Monica Puig On Winning Tennis Gold, Turning To Triathlon & Building Mental Toughness
Many of you know today's guest as a professional tennis player, but these days she’s spending more time on the roads and in the water. Monica Puig is a 2016 Olympic gold medalist and has found herself challenging her mind and body in a whole new way, pushing her way to the Ironman World Championships in Nice.
We talk about the pivot from professional tennis to triathlon, starting from the beginning of how she got into tennis in the first place. Monica also gets real with us about the internal dialogue when she made the difficult decision to step away from tennis, and how she continues to develop mentally to push through an entirely new challenge in the triathlon.
Thanks to LMNT — an electrolyte drink mix with everything you need and nothing you don't — for supporting Hurdle.
Gotta give some love to LMNT, zero-sugar hydration to support your active lifestyle. I’m a salty sweater (cute, I know). These electrolytes are my go-to to perform better. I like them not just because they taste great (the watermelon salt is my favorite as of late), but they’re also without artificial ingredients, sugar, and coloring. With LMNT, you can:
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They’ve got a flavor for every taste (my personal go-tos are grapefruit and watermelon). Head to DrinkLMNT.com/Hurdle to get a FREE LMNT sample pack with any purchase. To claim this deal you must go to DrinkLMNT.com/Hurdle — no code necessary. While you’re there, check out new LMNT sparkling, my favorite flavor is hands-down the grapefruit!
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Another (weekly) Hurdle conquered. Catch you guys next week.
Thank you for sharing your story, Emily! Such an important thing to talk about and normalize.
For me, navigating difficult moments has been a big theme of 2024 after a traumatic loss at the end of last year. Talk therapy, spending time with my family, and getting out of the house (when my comfort zone is asking to wallow in bed) has been helpful for turning the tide each time a big wave comes my way.