Victoria Garrick
From Elite Athlete to Mental Health & Body Image Advocate
INTRODUCING VICTORIA GAREK:
In today’s episode, Sam welcomes former Division-1 volleyball player, TED Talk speaker, social media influencer, and mental health advocate, Victoria Garrick. Since delivering her TED Talk in 2017, Victoria has become a leader in the mental health and body image advocacy space. After graduating from the University of Southern California in 2019, Victoria has traveled the country speaking on college campuses, hosting her hit podcast Real Pod, and creating daily content for over one million social media followers who follow her message and authenticity on self-care. In this episode, Sam and Victoria talk about Victoria’s journey from D-1 athlete to mental health advocate, the impact social media has had on the way we view ourselves, and strategies for overcoming body image issues and insecurities.
THIS EPISODE FEATURES INSIGHTS ON MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY, BODY IMAGE, & BRAND BUILDING:
Victoria shares her experience as a college athlete, including her bout with performance anxiety, and what she would change if given the chance
Overcoming competition anxiety and how Victoria broached this with her teammates
Victoria discusses how she walks the fine line with social media
Handling social media trolls
Where body issues come from and where we go from here
The Hidden Opponent is a community for those struggling with mental health and body image
Pursuing a career in mental health advocacy
How Victoria built a brand focused on helping others
Victoria’s favorite part of her job
Where listeners can follow Victoria and her career
WHAT DID VICTORIA SAY?
“As dark and difficult as the trenches can be in one’s life, I really do think they set the foundation for you to be happier and live a more fulfilled life later on. You have to go through something dark to have something beautiful.”
“I think the realization that everyone is going through something is very real. Especially now, coming out of 2020, everyone is going through something. No one is ok.”
“I think our society has decided what’s ideal for both men and women. And they’ve made that very clear that this is the way you should look, and if you don’t look this way there’s something wrong with you.”
“The first time I really spoke out on mental health was in a TED Talk I delivered in 2017. The reason was because I was so appalled and shocked by the mental health issues I had experienced as a direct result of being a student athlete.”
“Be really clear on what your vision is and what you’re bringing to the table. Don’t let anything glitzy or glamourous take you away from how you started.”
“I love meeting people I’ve connected with online and really putting a face to the name. Those personal relationships are my favorite.”
“In those tough moments, the thing I have to want the most is peace with myself.”