As an ardent admirer of Raven Saunders, I can confidently say that this powerhouse athlete is nothing short of extraordinary. From their unapologetic self-expression to their inspiring resilience, they have captured my heart and the hearts of many.
Make no mistake: Raven Saunders isn’t one to hide behind a mask.
Since they showed up for the 2024 Olympic shot put qualification wearing a full-face mask and sunglasses, the American athlete was openly embracing who they truly are.
During the August 8th gathering, as reported by The Guardian, Saunders asserted, “I’m at my best, and it’s important for everyone to remember that I am who I truly am.”
The 28-year-old athlete, who achieved the final with a throw of 18.62 meters, has utilized masks in various competitions, including the Hulk mask that was worn at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (which took place in 2021) during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
At a gathering in Paris, Saunders once more paid tribute to the Marvel character by sporting “Hulk” spelled out on her red, white, and blue-painted nails and donning green and purple hair. Additionally, this athlete, known as Raven Hulk Saunders on Instagram, has openly shared their feelings about what the Hulk, or Bruce Banner’s alter ego, represents to them.
During the Tokyo Games, they shared with Today that the character of the Hulk serves as a means for them to cope with mental health issues. They often discuss mental health awareness, particularly in light of their own struggles. For them, the mask represents a way to express their inner strength symbolized by the Hulk and Raven, while still enjoying themselves, dancing, and celebrating. In essence, the Hulk is an outlet for “beast mode” expression.
Previously, Saunders opened up about their experiences, which encompassed their time competing in shot put as well as their struggles with depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Initially, their dream was to excel in basketball, but that didn’t materialize due to their relatively short stature at 5 feet 5 inches as a power forward. Consequently, their high school track and field coach suggested they join the team, possibly with the intention of having them focus more on throwing events rather than footwork.
Saunders dedicated all their energy to shot put and eventually earned the title of NCAA champion at the University of Mississippi. In their second college year, they managed to qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and ended up placing fifth.
Back in 2021, as I shared with PBS Voices, I was certainly basking in a wave of euphoria following my accomplishment. However, once the initial thrill subsided and I found myself squarely back in the real world, that’s when the challenges began to pile up.
During the downtime, Saunders explained, they discovered that old childhood traumas and stressors were resurfacing in their thoughts. They confessed, “I was overwhelmed,” they continued. “It felt as though a heavy burden was pressing down on me, and I had no way to alleviate it. However, I felt unable to express my struggles to others because I had reached such a level of success that I thought, ‘I shouldn’t be saying, ‘I’m struggling,’ or ‘I’m grappling with these issues and problems.'”
According to Saunders, their depression deepened, and at a certain point, they felt completely devoid of interest in shot put. In an interview with PBS Voices, they mentioned that this lack of passion led them to seek help from a therapist due to thoughts about suicide.
As a lifestyle guide, I’d like to share my personal journey. “I’m in a better place today,” I express. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that the battle against depression is ongoing for me. It’s not something that simply disappears. But when I reflect on life, all the trials and tribulations I’ve faced, and the obstacles I’ve successfully navigated, standing in that stadium, I find a renewed strength to face any challenge that comes my way.
In the 2020 Olympics, Saunders earned the runner-up position in the shot put event. As they stood on the podium to receive their silver medal, Saunders formed an X with their arms.
In simpler terms, they stated on “Olympic Highlights” that X is the gathering point for individuals who experience oppression. They further expressed that intersectionality, a term they identify with deeply, means that no one can silence or exclude them based on their unique identity.
Meanwhile, Saunders pursues the title of a gold medalist at their third Olympics, they also stand out as an advocate for others.
“Shout out to all my Black people. Shout out to all my LGBTQ community. Shout out to all my people dealing with mental health,” they said after their silver medal win in Tokyo, per The Guardian. “At the end of the day, we understand it’s bigger than us and it’s bigger than the powers that be. We understand that there’s so many people that are looking up to us, that are looking to see if we say something or if we speak up for them.”
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2024-08-08 22:18