Gracie Gold on Olympic Pressure, Body Image Struggles, and the Mental Health Crisis Behind Elite Athletes

#382: Gracie Gold became a two-time U.S. national champion, a six-time Grand Prix medalist, and in 2014 she made history as the first American woman to win the NHK Trophy in the sport of figure skating. That same year, she stood on the 2014 Olympic podium in Sochi as part of Team USA in the team event and placed 4th in the individual event, close to a medal of her own. At her peak, she held the record for the highest short program score ever recorded by an American woman.But behind the sparkle and the scores, something was quietly unraveling. Gracie has been open about her struggles with anxiety, depression, and an eating disorder: battles that were happening largely out of public view, even as she was competing at the highest level in the world. In 2017, she stepped away from the sport entirely to get help, one of the bravest decisions an athlete can make.What followed was a long, honest road back — not just to skating, but to herself. She's since become a vocal advocate for athletes in the mental health space, and recently released a memoir called Outofshapeworthlessloser — a title that tells you everything about where she's been and how far she's come. Today, Gracie isn't just a former champion. She's someone who has done the real work, and isn't afraid to talk about it.Content note: The topic of body image struggles and eating disorder are discussed in this episode.What you will learn:The reality behind preparing for the Olympics in figure skatingNavigating body image and an eating disorderHow Gracie handled mental toughness and pressure in competitionRemoving self-worth from achievementWhy it's better to listen to yourself, regardless of others' opinionsBeing OK with criticism, whether online or in your circleReceive weekly personal insights from Emily's email newsletter and subscribe hereWatch Full Episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whatfulfillsyou/videosENJOY 10% OFF THE WHAT FULFILLS YOU? CARD GAME AT www.whatfulfillsyou.com - code "WHATFULFILLSYOU10"Follow Gracie Gold on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/graciegold95Follow the What Fulfills You? Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatfulfillsyouFollow Emily Elizabeth's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyeduong/Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy