Former Olympian Stephanie Rice bravely shared her mental health struggles after retiring from swimming in an emotionally raw Instagram post on Saturday.
And on Thursday, the 33-year-old was seen in public for the first time since coming clean about her depression battle as she stopped by a café in Brisbane.
She opted for a summery look in a white crop top and beige high-waisted shorts while picking up an iced coffee.
Stepping out: Olympian Stephanie Rice put on a brave face as she visited a Brisbane café on Thursday, days after sharing her mental health struggles since retiring from swimming
She teamed her outfit with sandals and a Balenciaga tote bag worth $1,850.
After ordering a coffee, she sat down at a table and worked on her laptop.
She spent only a few minutes at the venue before packing away her computer and heading off with her beverage.
Breezy style: She opted for a summery look in a white crop top and beige high-waisted shorts, and teamed her outfit with sandals and a Balenciaga tote bag worth $1,850
Work: After ordering an iced coffee, she sat down at a table and worked on her laptop
Stephanie’s outing comes as she receives an outpouring of support from friends and fellow athletes after her emotional admission over the weekend.
On Saturday, she shared a video on Instagram in which she revealed for the first time how her mental health suffered after she retired from competitive swimming.
She wiped away tears as she confessed to feeling ‘lost, depressed and irrelevant’ after stepping away from the sport in 2014.
Emotional: Stephanie’s outing comes as she receives an outpouring of support from friends and fellow athletes after her emotional admission over the weekend
Australian freestyle skier Lydia Lassila, who won gold at the Winter Olympics, wrote: ‘Sending big hugs, mate. As humans we’re not just one thing.
‘We can be many things as we evolve through life… and each of these things will be different yet just as fulfilling.
‘You have an incredible skill set… a lot of it was developed as a champion swimmer. These skills and traits carry through and are so valuable.’
Support: Australian freestyle skier Lydia Lassila, who won gold at the Winter Olympics, wrote: ‘Sending big hugs, mate. As humans we’re not just one thing’
Kindness: ‘It’s tough,’ wrote Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne, while retired silver-medal sprinter Sally Pearson added: ‘It’s so, so hard!’
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‘It’s tough,’ wrote Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne, while retired silver-medal sprinter Sally Pearson added: ‘It’s so, so hard!’
American swimmer Cullen Jones also commented: ‘You are not alone, Steph.’
Fellow U.S. swimmer Caroline Burckle chimed in: ‘I see you on your journey and am so honoured to witness your growth.’
‘You are not alone, Steph’: The likes of Jessica Rowe, Michael Clarke and Tim Cahill chimed in
TV presenter Jessica Rowe called Stephanie ‘extraordinary’ and a ‘wonderful person’, and thanked for her opening up about her struggles.
The champion swimmer also received messages of support from retired cricketer Michael Clarke and former Socceroo Tim Cahill.
Stephanie had captioned her emotional video: ‘Watching the Olympics will always probably be tough emotionally for me, because it brings back so many strong emotions, both good and bad.’
Brave: Stephanie had captioned her video: ‘Watching the Olympics will always be tough emotionally for me, because it brings back so many strong emotions, both good and bad’
She explained that many elite athletes suffer from mental health issues, particularly after they ‘transition’ into retirement.
‘For me, transitioning was f**king hard… and still is at times. After swimming, I felt lost, depressed, irrelevant and as though I had achieved the pinnacle of my life at 24 and everything moving forward would be far less exciting and special,’ she said.
But Stephanie revealed she was in a much better headspace now after doing lots of ‘work’ on herself.
‘Honestly, now, after doing so much “work” on myself, I truly am so, so happy and content. I love my life and the people in it,’ she added.
Changes: She explained that many elite athletes suffer from mental health issues, particularly after they ‘transition’ into retirement. Pictured at the Beijing Olympics in 2008
Life after swimming: ‘For me, transitioning was f**king hard… and still is at times. After swimming, I felt lost, depressed, irrelevant and as though I had achieved the pinnacle of my life at 24 and everything moving forward would be far less exciting and special,’ she said
‘But watching the Olympics reminds me of the person I was back then and it’s still hard not to feel sadness that that part of me is gone and isn’t coming back… and that’s what the tears are for.’
Stephanie announced her retirement from swimming in April 2014, after undergoing three career-ending shoulder surgeries.
‘I definitely feel like I’m losing a part of myself but I’m really excited about what’s to come,’ she said at the time.
Tough: Stephanie announced her retirement from swimming in April 2014, after undergoing three career-ending shoulder surgeries. ‘I feel like I’m losing a part of myself but I’m really excited about what’s to come,’ she said at the time. Pictured at the 2012 London Olympics
Source: Daily Mail
