Eve Muirhead: 'People think I'm a steely-eyed competitor but we're all human'
For many, Eve Muirhead embodies the unyielding spirit of an elite athlete - a title that belies a more complex reality. Behind closed doors, the Britain curler wrestled with severe depression just seven months before her historic Olympic gold in Beijing.
The mental health struggles came as no surprise to those closest to Muirhead. A debrief meeting at the National Curling Centre, where senior management had little time for empathy, left her feeling desolate. "Not a trace of warmth in its walls," she recalls. The jarring encounter was followed by a toxic atmosphere, where no one checked in on her mental health.
The lowest point came after Team GB failed to qualify for the Olympics. Muirhead remembers walking into the debrief meeting with senior management feeling dejected and ashamed. She felt like "she was shit", a sentiment repeated ad infinitum.
But from those dark depths, Muirhead emerged stronger and wiser. Her experiences were not something she chose to keep hidden but instead shared unflinchingly in her autobiography, Ice Queen. The openness with which she discusses the mental health battle has been invaluable, allowing others to confront their own struggles.
Now as chef de mission for Team GB at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, Muirhead is determined to bring about change. There's no hiding the excitement and passion that burns within her voice as she considers the opportunities ahead. "We've got some fantastically talented athletes, and we're doing all we can to create the perfect platform for them to perform," she says.
The stakes are high with so many medals up for grabs, particularly in men's and mixed curling events. However, Muirhead is not one to shy away from challenges and believes that her expertise will help British athletes gain an edge over their competitors.
While some athletes might benefit from the guidance of someone like Eve Muirhead, others may need more than just coaching - they require a listening ear, empathy and understanding.
For many, Eve Muirhead embodies the unyielding spirit of an elite athlete - a title that belies a more complex reality. Behind closed doors, the Britain curler wrestled with severe depression just seven months before her historic Olympic gold in Beijing.
The mental health struggles came as no surprise to those closest to Muirhead. A debrief meeting at the National Curling Centre, where senior management had little time for empathy, left her feeling desolate. "Not a trace of warmth in its walls," she recalls. The jarring encounter was followed by a toxic atmosphere, where no one checked in on her mental health.
The lowest point came after Team GB failed to qualify for the Olympics. Muirhead remembers walking into the debrief meeting with senior management feeling dejected and ashamed. She felt like "she was shit", a sentiment repeated ad infinitum.
But from those dark depths, Muirhead emerged stronger and wiser. Her experiences were not something she chose to keep hidden but instead shared unflinchingly in her autobiography, Ice Queen. The openness with which she discusses the mental health battle has been invaluable, allowing others to confront their own struggles.
Now as chef de mission for Team GB at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, Muirhead is determined to bring about change. There's no hiding the excitement and passion that burns within her voice as she considers the opportunities ahead. "We've got some fantastically talented athletes, and we're doing all we can to create the perfect platform for them to perform," she says.
The stakes are high with so many medals up for grabs, particularly in men's and mixed curling events. However, Muirhead is not one to shy away from challenges and believes that her expertise will help British athletes gain an edge over their competitors.
While some athletes might benefit from the guidance of someone like Eve Muirhead, others may need more than just coaching - they require a listening ear, empathy and understanding.
I'm so glad Eve Muirhead is speaking out about her mental health struggles 
. We need more people in positions of power sharing their stories, especially athletes who are under immense pressure to perform 
. The fact that she wrote a book about it and now wants to make changes as the chef de mission for Team GB is amazing 
. It's not just about coaching or strategy, but also about being there for your team members when they need someone to talk to 
. I love how she says "we're all human" - that's so true! We can't forget that mental health struggles are real and affect people from all walks of life 
. Can't wait to see what she does to bring about positive change in the sports world 
!
! Eve Muirhead's story is super inspiring, I love how she's not afraid to share her struggles and has used them to grow stronger. As a fan of curling (I know, it's not the most popular sport 
), it's amazing to see her expertise bring value to Team GB.
. We can't expect athletes to thrive if they don't feel like they're being heard or supported. The Olympic Games are just around the corner, and I hope Team GB takes mental health seriously - not just as a checkbox, but as a top priority 
I think it's so important for people to talk about their mental health struggles, you know? Like, we're always expected to be all strong and stuff, but honestly, life can get really tough sometimes 
. Eve Muirhead is an amazing example of that - she could've kept her struggles hidden, but instead she shared them with the world and now others feel like they can too 
.
. Let's try to be more empathetic and understanding towards others, you know? 
she's literally the ultimate inspiration!! I mean, ppl think she's tough but she's human too 
like, she went thru depression & mental health struggles & came out stronger 
She's showing us that even the toughest competitors have vulnerable moments, but it takes courage to speak up about them 
The way Eve Muirhead has spoken out about her struggles with depression is truly admirable. It's refreshing to see an elite athlete use their platform to normalize mental health discussions. 
. But from what I've read about her book 'Ice Queen', it seems like she's not only strong but also willing to share her story to help others 
. I'm all for more listening ears and empathy in sports, btw... when was the last time you heard your fave athlete talk about their struggles? 
. can't imagine having to deal with a debrief meeting where senior management just kinda shrugs and leaves you hanging 
. anyway, i guess it's about time she brought some change to Team GB 
I'm so glad she's speaking out about this stuff it's like she's putting her own struggles on full display for all to see 
Like, what even is debriefing when it's just going to leave you feeling more miserable? 
. Eve Muirhead's openness is giving others the courage to speak up, and we need more leaders like her to prioritize athletes' well-being 
. It's like, you can't just 'toughen up' when you're feeling down, you need someone to listen and help you through it 
. teams need to prioritize mental health support beyond just coaching - it's so important to have people who care and can listen 
. gotta give props to eve muirhead for using her platform to make a difference 