[ad_1]
Dianne Manson / Getty Images
New Zealand mountain biker Sam Gaze says he has spent the past 18 months battling depression.
This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and is being republished with permission.
New Zealand mountain biker Sam Gaze is in the picturesque medieval Spanish city of Girona preparing for the resumption of the European season, something that perhaps a year ago did not seem possible.
It wasn’t because of the coronavirus pandemic, but rather that the 24-year-old was dealing with his mental health.
Gaze’s career was put on hold following an accident at an event in South Africa in April 2019 and it wasn’t long after his mental health issues surfaced.
READ MORE:
* New Zealand mountain biker Sam Gaze signed by the glamor World Tour road team
* Bitter moment of thrills for New Zealand mountain biking at Commonwealth Games
* Mountain biker Kiwi received death threats after winning gold at the Commonwealth Games
“I suffered a pretty bad head injury on the first leg of Cape Epic and there were a lot of things over the past year that added to that, including my disappointment at the Commonwealth Games and a few other things.”
Gaze was fined for unsportsmanlike behavior towards his teammate Anton Cooper during the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
“I felt like I was not true to myself and yes, cracks appeared and after the accident the floodgates opened and I ended up having a bit of a hard time last year going crazy and trying to get back to being the happy and pleasant athlete that I usually do. . A.M”
Gaze was officially diagnosed with depression and says he has spent the past 18 months picking up the pieces.
“When you are like this and in that situation, it stops being about the sport and the results sheet and more about your health.”
“There was a lot of work that had to be done internally for me to reestablish my values in sport and be true to them, but yeah, like now, I feel like I’m in a good place.”
“It has been a critical journey to get to where I am now.”
He credits his new Belgian team Alpecin-Fenix and owner Philip Roodhooft with playing an important role on his road to recovery.
“Now I look back and I am very grateful for everyone’s help, obviously the results sheet has not been what it could have been in the last 18 months, but as an athlete and as a person we have grown a lot.
Phil Walter / Getty Images
Sam Gaze regrets accusing his teammate Anton Cooper of “poor sportsmanship” at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
“I’m sure it will help me through the longevity of my career rather than just an outstanding result here and there.”
Gaze was locked up in New Zealand, but returned to Europe in late June to get his cycling back on track.
Now he has the World Championship in Austria next month to look forward to.
However, Gaze has not set any career goals at this stage.
“No, it’s still early, obviously with the crown madness and everything that has happened with the postponement of the Olympics has changed, so for now I’m just getting stronger and aiming to be the best possible version of an athlete that I can. for next season and the Olympics if they continue. “
“For these upcoming events I don’t have any outcome-based goals, it’s based more on feelings.”
“I want to race bikes for the right reason, there should be no difference between the feeling you get when you’re eight years old racing the bike at home and the biggest bike race in the world.”
WHERE TO GET HELP:
-
1737, do you need to talk? – Toll free or text 1737 to speak with a trained counselor
-
Depression.org.nz – 0800 111757 or send a text message 4202
-
Life line – 0800 543 354
-
Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828865 (0508 SUPPORT)
-
Kidsline – 0800 54 37 54 for people up to 18 years old. Open 24/7.
-
Youthline – 0800 376 633, free text 234, email [email protected], or find online chat and other support options here.
-
Rural support trust – 0800 787 254
-
Samaritans – 0800 726 666
-
What happens – 0800 942 8787 (for children from 5 to 18 years old). Telephone counseling available Monday through Friday, 12:00 to 23:00 and on weekends from 3:00 to 11:00 p.m. Online chat is available from 3 pm to 10 pm every day.
-
thelowdown.co.nz – Web chat, email chat or free text 5626
-
Anxiety New Zealand – 0800 ANXIETY (0800 269 4389)
-
Supporting families with mental illness – 0800 732 825.
If it’s an emergency Click here to find the number for your local crisis assessment team. In a life threatening situation, call 111.
This story was originally posted on RNZ.co.nz and is being republished with permission.
