In the highs of the extremes, there is a profound fragility. The higher one goes, the harder one could crash. Mental health in extreme sports is a relevant subject to reflect upon and discuss, not just for the athletes but for all of us. Our heroes, those we admire, reflect our values.

I am grateful for this production by Dirty Habits: https://youtu.be/zBCxypVJIN8, as it inspired this reflection.

Social media and the pleasure that people’s attention brings pushes us to show the best version of ourselves, fueling a drive to better ourselves in a direction that follows what we perceive as desirable. Nowadays, in the media we consume, a premium is offered for the risk takers, our modern heroes, which influences how we live and raise ourselves and our kids. 

There are legions of athletes raised on the idea that invulnerability exists in a space where fear is ignored and where the rewards of a sport are directly proportional to the attention offered on the social scene. This house of cards of beliefs is fragile and often comes crashing down because gravity is infinitely patient, time passes and aging either brings wisdom or suffering. 

On the way to mental balance, serenity is found in welcoming vulnerability, talking honestly about our pain, sharing our suffering, and finding meaning in our lives, not in the thumbs-up of the virtual social space but in the warm hugs of family and friends. 

Thank you.