Sideways
64. The Masks We Wear
Aug 14, 2024
Raven Saunders, an extraordinary shot put athlete and mental health advocate, shares their journey of self-discovery. They reflect on their memorable Olympic experience in Tokyo while wearing a Hulk mask, symbolizing resilience and non-binary identity. The discussion unveils the dual nature of masks—used historically for expression and identity, especially during the pandemic. Raven opens up about the emotional highs and lows of competition, emphasizing the importance of mental health and therapy, advocating for personal authenticity and support in the sports world.
29:31
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Quick takeaways
- Raven Saunders' decision to wear a Hulk mask during competitions serves as a transformative act, revealing personal struggles while promoting mental health awareness in sports.
- The podcast explores the dual nature of masks as both protective coverings and powerful symbols of identity, illustrating how they can express hidden truths and foster solidarity.
Deep dives
Raven Saunders: A Journey of Resilience
Raven Saunders, an Olympic shot putter, embodies strength and resilience while confronting severe mental health challenges, including suicidal feelings. Their journey is marked by a pivotal moment during the 2021 Olympic trials, when they wore a Hulk mask to mask their internal struggles while competing. This act of concealment ultimately transformed into a powerful expression of identity, as they described feeling more authentic when the world started paying attention to them after donning the mask. Saunders' experience encapsulates the struggle many face between public success and private pain, highlighting the importance of addressing mental health within sports and among marginalized communities.
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