I struggle with my mental health. The first time you admit that publicly, it can feel quite powerful. I’m far from alone in battling depression and anxiety. I’m not exceptional, I am not brave for doing this, but it is a live part of my everyday existence, one which has become a lot more normalised - thankfully - in recent years. Struggling is no longer something to be ashamed of, neither is asking for help. Whether that help is available is another question, and there are no simple solutions, but acknowledging the struggles is step one of the process. For me, that process began over six years ago, but for others, perhaps that journey is only just starting.
Last week, however, a professional cyclist was brave in talking about their mental health struggles. Pro cycling is no stranger to riders opening up about their difficulties, from Marcel Kittel to Tom Dumoulin via Jenny Rissveds, but Leo Hayter’s blog post was uniquely honest in its detail, describing exactly what he had been through.
