From the Valleys to the Mountain Top: Lauren Perdue
Meet U.S Olympian - Lauren Perdue
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Athletic achievements:
Lauren attended the University of Virginia and swam for UVA from 2009 to 2012. During her time at UVA, she won 7 ACC championships, received 8 All-America honors, and was named the ACC Swimmer of the Year and ACC Swimmer of the Championships in both 2010 and 2011. In 2012, she competed for the United States in the London Olympic Games and won a gold medal as part of the 4x200 Freestyle Relay.
Current role:
Now retired from competitive swimming and is working full-time as a Commercial Real Estate broker in Charlotte, NC.
My struggle with Post-Olympic Depression:
I battled with Post-Olympic Depression after returning from the 2012 Olympics. Post-Olympic Depression is the psychological and physiological depletion that many Olympic athletes experience after returning from the emotional high of the Olympic Games. This type of depression can be experienced on many platforms, whether it be sports related, career related, or even after the birth of a child. Competing in the Olympics (or similar high-stakes event) is a "mountain-top" achievement for many, and coming back to "normal life" can be very difficult.
In 2012, I returned to the US with a gold medal in hand, but soon sank into a deep pit of depression. After struggling with depression for 2 years, I sought help from a sports counselor and began the healing process. I came to the realization that for 15+ years I had mistakenly found my self worth and identity in swimming. When the majority of an athlete's life is spent immersed in their sport, for many people, that sport becomes their identity. It is incredibly important to find meaning in life outside of your sport so you will be prepared to walk through the valleys that may follow the mountain-top.
