Talk About Fitspiration! Female Athletes Share How Exercise Made Them Stronger

Life wasn't always winning games or setting records for these successful ladies—but sweat is part of the way they beat everything from depression to bullying

I Beat Bullies at Their Own Game

As an acclaimed two-time Olympic silver medalist, five-time World Champion and 2015 World Champion MVP in women's hockey, Hilary Knight has faced numerous challenges. However, her biggest battles began as a child when she faced relentless bullying for not fitting into the stereotypical image of a girl. To cope with the hurtful remarks, young Knight distanced herself from everyone she loved and even resorted to cutting her own hair in an attempt to blend in. Hoping that by appearing more boyish, the torment would cease.

Unfortunately, this drastic action made no difference in the bullies' attitudes. Eventually, Knight's parents decided to send her to boarding school to escape the harsh environment. In this new setting, instead of succumbing to anger, she found solace and strength in their favorite sport—hockey. "Channeling all my pain and anger into working out and hockey, I was rewarded with a scholarship to the University of Wisconsin," she recalls. Her dedication and hard work soon paid off when she secured a position on the 2010 Olympic team as the youngest player. The tables were truly turned on her tormentors who could only watch as she celebrated her victories.

I Conquered My Addictions

I Worked Through a Miscarriage

Experiencing a miscarriage is devastating, and it's a reality for approximately 30% of pregnancies. This subject, however, often remains unspoken about in society. Noelle Pikus-Pace, an American skeleton racer and two-time Olympian, refused to let her grief remain hidden after a heart-rending miscarriage during her third pregnancy at 18 weeks.

She found solace in her faith and prayer, leading her back to the competitive realm she was ready to abandon. "Honestly, I didn't want to return to competition. I was exhausted and no longer craved that environment," she confessed before competing in the Winter Olympics 2014 in Sochi. Despite her reservations, she followed her intuition, poured her soul into the competition, eventually winning the silver medal.

"In retrospect, I needed an outlet, something like the competition, following the miscarriage. My plans were revolving around the unborn baby, its clothes, its room; the competition gave me a fresh goal, something to strive for, and anticipate," she explained. The story concludes on a happy note: she welcomed twin boys in July.

I Dominated Depression

Jennifer Ryz-Mann, a former member of the Canadian National Wrestling Team, was known for her ability to overcome any challenge that came her way. As a silver and bronze medalist at the World Championships, she was widely expected to excel in the 2004 Olympic Games. Unfortunately, an untimely injury necessitated surgery and not only did she miss out on the Olympics, it also marked the end of her wrestling career. This left Jennifer upset and depressed, leading her to abandon all physical activities for several years. Everything changed when a state-of-the-art fitness center opened nearby. Unable to resist its allure, Jennifer decided to try her hand at tennis, a sport that ultimately became her path towards healing from her emotional trauma. She showed the same determination in mastering this new sport and went on to compete in the 2015 national level in-house tournament. Jennifer once believed that she would never again experience the joy and satisfaction of indulging in sports or maintaining fitness. Tennis changed that perspective. It taught her to adapt to life's circumstances and to continuously set new goals. Now, she engages in regular exercise not just for maintaining good health and longevity but also for the sheer thrill of playing a sport, mastering its techniques, and for connecting with other people who share her passion.

I Knocked Out Self-Doubt

Paige Van Zant, a UFC professional fighter standing at five feet four inches, is the epitome of raw power and ferocity. However, her journey to this point was not smooth. Once, she was a cheerleader in high school, but her experience there was marred by incessant taunting and bullying from older girls. The situation became so dire that she started fearing going to school owing to the looming threat of physical confrontations.

Van Zant recounts, "I lost my identity. I wasn't a happy person." Her pleas for help fell on deaf ears, with both school administrators and local law enforcement claiming inability to intervene. This led to her making the decision to graduate early and go to college.

Her father persuaded her to try out a mixed martial arts class in college. This decision served as a turning point for her, as she rediscovered herself in the process. She swiftly ascended the ranks and turned professional in 2012. Despite her past experiences, her motivation to fight does not stem from harboring vengeful feelings.

"I have no desire to retaliate against those girls, but now I possess far more confidence—I can defend myself," she asserts. "They can witness my success and skills, and that's something no one can ever strip me of."

I Beat a Career Ending Injury

Renowned Red Bull triathlete, Meredith Kessler, didn't even see the man who collided into her. She only became cognizant of the gravity of the situation after waking up in a hospital bed. A fellow cyclist had crashed into her, leading to grievous brain injuries. Though she didn't require surgery, recovery was going to be a long-drawn process. Further, doctors warned her about the risks of permanent brain damage in case of another such accident. This injury could have ended her career and the prolonged recovery period along with intense pain led to feelings of confusion, depression, and mood fluctuations. Kessler attributes her recovery to gradually resuming her training regime, "Slow swim sets, jogging on the treadmill, and pedaling on the stationary bike were my lifelines," she reveals. She underscores the inevitability of risks in life and the futility of living in fear, "You can't live in a bubble," she states. Today, she's back in the competition and is even predicted to take home the Ironman World Championships trophy in October. The ordeal has deepened her appreciation for health and her ability to compete, "This experience has made me value my health and competitive abilities at a deeper level."

I Grieved a Loved One

Experiencing the loss of someone dear is a heart-rending ordeal. Yet, when Constance Tillet faced the tragedy of losing her life partner, she chose not to wallow in despair but channel her emotions into physical well-being - by turning to a gym routine for the very first time. It was her son's recommendation that led the spirited septuagenarian to discover CrossFit. "Stand up and take action. Stop complaining, quit depending on others, and start caring for yourself," she articulated during an interview with CBS This Morning. Despite undergoing surgical procedures replacing both hips, knees, and rotator cuffs, Constance remains an ardent follower of CrossFit, has shed 50 pounds, and successfully discontinued her diabetes medication. When conjecturing about her better half's reaction to her transformation, she responded: "He's right here alongside me. He's been my source of motivation always. He still inspires me." Now, if you would excuse us, we need a moment to wipe our tears and reach out to our loved ones!