Public performers experience a lot of stress. For athletes and artists, there are demands from the public, a lot of uncertainty, and many highs and lows.
With these external demands and internal pressures, suicide rates are high in the public performance field. Hana Kimura, a former professional wrestler, died by suicide in 2020 at the age of 22 after appearing on the Japanese reality TV show Terrace House. Kimura was found dead in her Tokyo apartment after posting a series of tweets about online bullying she had received from viewers of the show. In one tweet, she reportedly said, “Every day, I receive nearly 100 honest opinions and I cannot deny that I get hurt.”
Learning the right tools from a mental health professional and life coach can make a huge difference.
Diego Verdin, a Los Angeles-based electronic dance music artist who performs as DJ Jokr, lives a busy lifestyle, playing in large venues for thousands of people and bringing high energy and motivation to a crowd. He shares, “Having a healthy mind is essential…keeping on top of the highs and lows of life makes it easier to streamline…and channel it in a positive way. Therapy has helped me work through limiting beliefs and keep my mind in a healthy place, where I am creating healthy habits and staying positive and confident.”
Being a successful public performer, whether a professional athlete, musician, or actor, is all about the mindset. You have to train your mind and body towards progression and growth. Self-care and regularly nourishing yourself are also essential to being a successful public performer. Remembering your special skill sets and worth is crucial not only to perform at your best but also to set a positive example as a public figure. In our world, where there are many external demands, complicated turns, and constant changes in our society, staying grounded fuels our souls to be the best version of ourselves.
Gabrielle Crump, a female professional wrestler known as Zara Zakher, shares, “Being able to attend therapy has been tremendously beneficial for my overall well-being. Being a public performer is not the most conventional way, and it really takes a toll on my physical and mental health. By continually going to therapy, I am able to reconnect with myself and realign my mind in order to perform to my best abilities.”
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and an AthMindset Clinician. My practice lens uses evidence-based psychotherapy modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy, anti-oppressive social work, and life coaching to validate public performers’ unique experiences. I give them a safe space and work alongside them to create concrete, practical goals from a strength-based perspective. I build allyship and a trusting understanding of a public performer’s hopes, values, and goals and implement practical skill sets and interventions for measurable success while working together as a team.
I am also a public speaker and artist/singer. Training my vocal cords as a singer has been an athletic endeavor itself, one that has grounded my nervous system. Seeing athletes and public performers on the TV screen and in stadiums motivates me every day. So, I hope to continue to serve this community as a therapist, empowering them to never give up, to love themselves, and to take good care of their minds and bodies.
Why I Practice Therapy was written by:
Amina Mohabbat
LCSW, PPSC, UC Berkeley Alumni
BA Psychology, BA Japanese UC Davis Alumni
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amina-mohabbat-b9a2954b/
https://www.athmindset.io/services
Related content to “Why I Practice Therapy” by Amina Mohabbat
AthMindset | Dr. Jessica Bartley, Director of Mental Health for Team USA
AthMindset | Sport Psychology Mentor and Leader, Dr. Kensa Gunter
PPSC, UC Berkeley Alumni | BA Psychology, BA Japanese UC Davis Alumni