Gold medal-winning gymnast Aly Raisman spent much of her life chasing perfection. Reflecting on her career as an elite athlete, she now recognizes the impact of undiagnosed OCD: ruminating over mistakes, constantly seeking reassurance, and putting the opinions of coaches, judges, and others above her own.

In this episode of the Get to Know OCD podcast, Aly shares the intertwined journey of her athletic career and her journey with OCD. Whether you're a fan of sports, someone navigating the challenges of OCD, or just in need of inspiration, Aly’s story serves as a powerful reminder: OCD does not define your worth or limit what you can accomplish.

Listen in to discover how Aly learned to manage these challenges and become an advocate for the OCD community.

If you or a loved one is struggling with OCD, know there is help. Visit ⁠⁠https://learn.nocd.com/podcast⁠⁠ to learn more.

Show notes:
0:00 Intro

1:30 Becoming an OCD advocate 

3:10 Aly’s new children’s book

5:33 Aly’s personal OCD experience

11:05 Having OCD while in the public eye

16:50 OCD is not always what’s depicted in the media

20:46 Setting boundaries for yourself 

28:58 Having the right therapist for OCD

36:50 OCD is a sneaky condition

40:51 How OCD affected Aly’s gymnastics career

44:20 Talking to medical professionals 

49:45 Athletes embracing mental health 

51:04 Aly’s advice

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