Caroline Marks, a professional surfer, may have won an Olympic gold medal, but the 22-year-old athlete, like everyone else, has periods of self-doubt. The two-time Olympian recently met Marie Claire to address quick-fire questions, including how she handles insecurity.
"There's moments where I've doubted myself," Marks told me. "But you kind of just remind yourself like all the work you've put in and I usually try to surround myself with encouraging people, whether that's like a coach or family or friends, and believe in myself and overcome that fear and that doubt."
Her advice is similar to what retired gymnast Aly Raisman recently said when discussing her mental health. While speaking with Women's Health magazine, the 30-year-old emphasized the importance of surrounding herself with a strong support system.
"I think that over the years, I've learned that it's not always easy sometimes to find people that are there for you, that you can go to," Raisman told me. "But I think having a space and people that don't judge you and are there for you is so crucial and even just someone you can talk to, whether it's a therapist, whether it's a family member, a friend, a teacher, a coach, whatever it is, having that support system I think is key."
The basic conclusion is that elite athletes, like everyone else, experience uncertainty. Take Marks and Raisman's counsel and analyze how who you surround yourself with affects your mental health.