Runner Molly Seidel on Making Strides With her ADHD

In part three of our three-part series, Olympic medalist Molly Seidel, she talks about working on her mental health every day.

Molly Seidel knows a thing or two about the work it takes to succeed: She is one of only three American women to medal in the Olympics marathon. 

After receiving her ADHD diagnosis and trying various treatments, Seidel realized that taking care of her mental health is just like training for a marathon. 

“I think with any of these things people don’t understand like the sheer amount of daily work that goes into these things whether it’s running, whether it’s mental health,” she said. “I think a lot of people assume that I’m a lot more naturally talented than I actually am at this sport, like I’m really not. It is just kind of like a consistent day and day out work that you do and I think that is translated exactly into my mental health.”

Knowing her diagnosis, Seidel better understands her initial draw to running.  

“I think people find the same sense of the repetition structure that running gives you as a real benefit and so many people at this level probably have some form of [ADHD].”

“I’m very lucky in a sense, that as a pro athlete, recovery is a huge part of my job, “she said.  “And being able to decompress and calm down using various breath techniques and very calming techniques has been absolutely vital for me and that’s something that I have to do every day multiple times a day really really monitor it.”

Watch Part 1 and Part 2 in this series.

Related Information About Adult ADHD and More

How ADHD Can Affect Your Career

Tips to Navigate Relationships When You Have ADHD

10 Ways to Reach (and Exceed!) Your Potential With ADHD

Fundamentals for Living Well With ADHD

Mindfulness: How Do You Know You’re Doing It Right?