The subject of mental health is frequently ignored in the fast-paced world of athletics, particularly for young female athletes navigating the uncertain waters of puberty and hormonal fluctuations. Even with the mental and physical toll that competitive sports take, conversations around mental health are frequently overlooked or neglected.
PHOTO CREDIT: Efua Hoshiko
Megumi Hoshiko, a member of the Warriors Pentathlon and Athletics Club, embarked on her athletic journey in 2019 and has since risen to prominence as a triathlete, representing Great Britain at the Biathle/Triathle Worlds in Indonesia.
As she balances the demands of her burgeoning athletics career with impending GCSE exams, Hoshiko acknowledges the formidable challenge of maintaining equilibrium. She said: “My training varies a lot depending on competitions, but I train about 12 or 13 times a week.
“Although, I’ve had to taper the training down a bit, especially with my GCSEs coming up. Fitting everything in on top of sleeping, eating, and trying to have downtime is very hard.”
The teenager candidly shared her own struggles with mental battles, revealing: “I definitely get performance anxiety when the race season is packed. I’ve had breaks from racing for a couple of months to reset after I’ve been burnt out following a busy season.
“I think letting go of performance goals and focusing on the process goals has been key to still enjoying it and reducing performance anxiety.”
Navigating setbacks and failures can prove to be a formidable challenge for young girls in the early stages of their athletics journeys.
Reflecting on her own experiences, Hoshiko admitted, “Last year I had a pretty bad race at English Schools, and then I had a talk with my coach about what the rest of the season would look like and what I wanted to achieve.
“Something I have definitely learned in the last year is that I’ve changed my mindset now where if the outcome isn’t what I wanted, mentally it's so much better to then focus on your process goals.”
PHOTO CREDIT: Efua Hoshiko
In the realm of athletics, Hoshiko, a dedicated triathlete, offers invaluable insights into maintaining mental well-being amidst the rigours of competition. Emphasising the importance of enjoyment in her sport, she advises aspiring young girls: “We have pillars of training in triathlon and one of them is training is play.
“I think having fun with what you’re doing is so important. It’s okay to have goals, but centre them less around achieving time improvements and more around having fun and getting the most out of yourself.”
Through Hoshiko's journey, we glimpse the challenges and triumphs of teenage girls in sports, underscoring the importance of prioritising mental health in their athletic pursuits.
Click below to listen to a short part of our interview with the 15-year-old triathlete:
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