Nerves or anxiety before a big competition are normal. Even the best athletes in the world get anxious at times! The problem isn’t anxiety itself but rather how we experience it, respond to it, and the impairment that can follow.

Imagine stepping out onto the stage before your big competition. You notice your hands are clammy, your legs are shaking, your heart is beating out of your chest, and your mind is racing with a million fearful thoughts like what if you don’t perform well or make a mistake.

Some athletes seem fine on the surface but are quietly struggling in ways that are easy to overlook. Even at the highest levels of the sport, Olympians and elite athletes have spoken openly about struggling beneath the surface.

Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health conditions, affecting millions of people worldwide. While they can share some similarities in symptoms, it's important to understand that they are distinct disorders with unique characteristics.