At the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, Lydia Jacoby captured the gold medal in the 100-meter breaststroke, setting a record-breaking time of 1:04.95, the fastest ever recorded by a female American swimmer. However, the transition back to her native Alaska at age 17 marked a stark shift from relative obscurity to international stardom, a change that proved challenging.
Meet @USASwimming's @Lydiaalicee_, who opens up about her battle with post-Olympic depression, on #MyNewFavoriteOlympian: https://t.co/03q1SghAvw pic.twitter.com/mHfeKaMXOq
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) June 12, 2024
In a revealing podcast discussion, Jacoby opened up about the struggles she faced post-Olympics, including severe depression. She described the pressure of newfound fame: “After the Olympics, you’re getting pulled so many different directions. I’m very much a people pleaser. So I was like, ‘I want to do this for everyone.’ And I felt, like, at a point I’d given every piece of myself away and I had nothing left for myself.”
Her mental health issues were compounded by feelings of mistrust and isolation, as she noticed changes in how people treated her, questioning their motives for their newfound interest. The place where she once found solace, the swimming pool, became a source of resentment. Jacoby admitted to losing her passion for swimming and even considered quitting the sport.
ELECTRIC.
Relive the moment Lydia Jacoby's friends and family cheered her on to GOLD from Seward, Alaska. #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/jjLWAlaljy
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 27, 2021
Her experience is not unique among elite athletes. Many Olympians, including notable figures like Missy Franklin, Simone Biles, and Natalie Coughlin, have shared their mental health struggles, highlighting a common pattern of depression following major competitions. Performance psychologist Michael Gervais explains this phenomenon as athletes facing a “deep vacuum” of purpose post-competition, which can lead to depressive states requiring professional treatment.
In 2022, Jacoby took a significant step by moving to the University of Texas at Austin, seeking a change of scenery and a chance to blend into a more normal college life, away from the intense scrutiny. This move, along with her decision to seek therapy, marked a turning point in her journey toward mental wellness.
Jacoby has since become an advocate for mental health awareness, using her platform to support others facing similar challenges. Her candidness was on full display when she accepted the Perseverance Award at a prestigious swimming ceremony, where her story resonated deeply with many. She emphasized the importance of sharing her experiences not just for herself, but to aid others, saying, “To me, if just one person reaches out and gets help from hearing what I went through, that for me means the world.”
As she competes in the U.S. Olympic Trials, Jacoby continues to be a voice for resilience and recovery, proving that personal struggles can forge paths to empowerment and advocacy.
Major Points
- Lydia Jacoby won gold in the 100-meter breaststroke at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, setting a record as the fastest American woman in the event.
- Returning to Alaska, she faced the challenges of sudden fame and severe depression, feeling overwhelmed by expectations and a loss of personal identity.
- Jacoby experienced trust issues and a diminished love for swimming, even considering quitting the sport due to her mental health struggles.
- She moved to the University of Texas at Austin in 2022 for a fresh start, where she could enjoy a more typical college experience and began therapy.
- Jacoby now uses her platform to advocate for mental health awareness, sharing her story to help others and emphasizing the importance of seeking help.
RM Tomi – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
