This is the heart of a Champion. The road to the dance is where the real character is shown,
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leah_falland
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It helps to put things in perspective, we’ve come a long way.
5 years ago I left the Olympic Trials injured and anxious and broken. Unsure of myself in so many ways… and my body was definitely not in a good place.
4 years ago, right around this time, I was diagnosed with clinical depression and anxiety. I decided to prioritize my wellness over everything and stepped away from the track to get into therapy and work on my mental health. I was living in Sacramento and in intensive outpatient care, learning how to understand and work with my brain… while the USA championships were happening, in Sacramento. It was one of the hardest seasons of my life, but also the bravest thing I’ve ever done for myself.
3 years ago, I moved back to Michigan— where I met Dathan, and I was on the cusp of quitting the sport. I had an (at the time undiagnosed) under active thyroid condition, anemia, and amenorrhea. I’d ruptured my plantar fascia, had stress fractures in my feet, shin, and femur. Honestly I just wanted to be able to run happily and pain free again. I wasn’t focused on Olympic dreams, I wanted to not be exhausted all of the time and I wanted to make sure I’d have a healthy body to someday have a family.
2 years ago— Dathan, and our team of doctors and experts, got me back to a place where I could train without pain. He built me back up from the ground. He’s worked tirelessly and believed in me when I could barely believe in myself. I couldn’t be more grateful for his guidance and love. Training with Dathan in Michigan, I met my husband, @lou.falland. I felt like I was coming up for air, catching a break, and my running career began coming back to life.
1 year ago I moved to Boulder, Colorado and joined the OAC… and it’s been the best experience of my professional career.
The fall yesterday was horrible. I’m still crying about it now, but I’m also crying happy tears. My career was as good as dead, but I was scooped up by people who loved and believed in me so much I was able to contend to make the Olympic team again.
Thank you for all of the support and kindness. I am a very lucky human to know so many beautiful humans.
#OAC #steepechase #fallandsneverquit