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the most-decorated Olympian of all time is also a famous person with a mental illness, in this case, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He was diagnosed in grade school but has now learned techniques to deal with this challenge1. He has also battled depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, and has been open about his suicidal thoughts and his recovery journey.
Michael Phelps
He has said that exercise helps him manage his ADHD symptoms by giving him an outlet for his energy and a way to focus his mind. He also uses swimming as a form of meditation and relaxation, and as a way to cope with stress and negative emotions
the former WWE wrestler and Hollywood actor, who shared his experience of depression in 2018. He said he went through a dark period when he was 15 years old, after witnessing his mother’s suicide attempt. He also faced depression again when his football career ended due to injuries
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
the basketball player who plays for the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA and represents Australia at the international level. She has spoken about her battles with anxiety and depression, and has withdrawn from several tournaments to focus on her mental health. She has said that exercise helps her release stress and feel good
Liz Cambage
She has said that exercise helps her release stress and feel good by allowing her to express herself and have fun. She also uses exercise as a way to boost her confidence and self-esteem, and to celebrate her body
the rap superstar who has sold over 200 million records worldwide and won 15 Grammy Awards. He has also struggled with a substance use disorder that centered around painkillers, such as Vicodin, Valium, and methadone. He overdosed in 2007 and nearly died, which prompted him to seek help and enter recovery1 . After he went through detox and entered recovery, he had trouble sleeping without using drugs. He began to run 17 miles per day and using exercise DVDs, too. He said that exercise helped him stay sober by giving him a new addiction and a way to channel his energy
Eminem
the actor and director who has been nominated for several Academy Awards. He has also dealt with a substance use disorder that involved alcohol and drugs. He said he started using substances when he was young to cope with his insecurities and anxiety. He decided to quit in 2004 when he realized that his addiction was ruining his life and career. He has said that exercise helped him overcome his addiction by giving him a challenge and a goal
Bradley Cooper
the tennis champion who recently withdrew from the French Open and the Tokyo Olympics, citing social anxiety and depression. She has faced criticism and fines for skipping press conferences, but has also received support and praise for prioritizing her mental health
Naomi Osaka
the former NFL wide receiver who played for six teams over 13 seasons, who was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder in 2011. He has since founded Project 375, a nonprofit organization that aims to raise awareness and reduce stigma about mental health
Brandon Marshall
the former Indian cricketer who played for the national team and several domestic teams. He has revealed that he suffered from depression and suicidal thoughts after his retirement from cricket in 2018. He has since sought professional help and has found solace in exercise and meditation
Praveen Kumar
the actor who is best known for playing Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He has also struggled with a substance use disorder that involved cocaine, heroin, and alcohol. He was arrested several times in the late 1990s and early 2000s and spent time in prison and rehab. He has been sober since 2003 and has credited exercise, among other things, for helping him stay clean. He said that exercise helped him rebuild his self-esteem and discipline
Robert Downey Jr.
the actress who is known for her roles in Spider-Man, Marie Antoinette, and Melancholia. She has also battled with a substance use disorder that involved alcohol and drugs. She checked in and out of rehab for alcohol and drug abuse in 2008 and has since been sober. She has said that exercise helped her cope with her addiction by giving her a sense of balance and well-being
Kirsten Dunst
the gymnastics superstar who also withdrew from several events at the Tokyo Olympics, saying she had to focus on her mental well-being. She said she was dealing with "the twisties", a phenomenon where gymnasts lose their sense of orientation in mid-air and can lead to serious injuries. She also revealed that she was a survivor of sexual abuse by former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar.
Simone Biles
the Olympic gymnast who won six medals, including three golds, at the 2012 and 2016 Games. She has also been vocal about her experience of sexual abuse by former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, and has advocated for survivors’ rights and mental health support. She has said that exercise helps her cope with anxiety and trauma
Aly Raisman
She has said that exercise helps her cope with anxiety and trauma by giving her a sense of control and accomplishment. She also uses yoga and breathing exercises to calm her mind and body, and to stay present in the moment
the former English cricketer who played for the national team and Somerset County Cricket Club. He has struggled with depression and anxiety since 2006, when he had to leave a tour of India due to a panic attack. He has since written a book about his experience and has continued to play cricket at the county level. He has said that exercise helps him cope with his condition by giving him a routine and a distraction
Marcus Trescothick
the actress and producer who rose to fame as a child star in E.T. She has also battled with a substance use disorder that involved alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine. She went to rehab twice before she turned 14 and has been sober since then. She has said that exercise helped her cope with her addiction by giving her a healthy outlet and a way to feel good
Drew Barrymore
the comedian and actress who has written and performed on Saturday Night Live and her own Comedy Central show, The Sarah Silverman Program. She has also spoken openly about her lifelong battle with anxiety and depression and her use of medications like Xanax, Klonopin, and Zoloft. She has said that exercise helped her manage her mental health by giving her a natural high and a way to release tension
Sarah Silverman
the NBA star who plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who revealed in 2018 that he had suffered a panic attack during a game. He has since become an advocate for mental health awareness and has launched the Kevin Love Fund to provide resources and support for people with mental health challenges
Kevin Love
the singer and actor who started her career as a child star on Disney Channel. She has struggled with bipolar disorder, eating disorders, self-harm, and substance abuse, and has been open about her recovery journey and relapses. She has said that exercise helps her manage her mood swings and stay sober
Demi Lovato
She has said that exercise helps her manage her mood swings and stay sober by releasing endorphins and serotonin, which make her feel happy and positive. She also uses exercise as a form of self-care and self-love, and as a way to challenge herself and grow
the Spanish soccer player who plays for Vissel Kobe in Japan and is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of all time. He has admitted that he suffered from depression in 2009, after the death of his friend and fellow player Dani Jarque. He has said that exercise helped him overcome his depression by giving him a sense of joy and purpose
Andres Iniesta
the legendary singer and songwriter who has sold over 300 million records worldwide. He has also suffered from a substance use disorder that involved alcohol, cocaine, and prescription drugs. He sought treatment in 1990 and has been sober ever since. He has said that exercise helped him recover from his addiction by giving him a new passion and a way to stay fit
Elton John
the actor and comedian who has starred in movies like Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Get Him to the Greek, and Arthur. He has also struggled with a substance use disorder that involved heroin, crack cocaine, and alcohol. He went to rehab in 2002 and has been sober since then. He has said that exercise helped him recover from his addiction by giving him a new focus and a way to channel his energy
Russell Brand
the tennis legend who has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, who opened up about her postpartum depression after giving birth to her daughter in 2017. She said she felt pressure to be a perfect mother and struggled with low self-esteem and anxiety
Serena Williams
the former soccer player who played for nine clubs in England and represented his country at the under- level. He has suffered from depression and alcoholism, and has attempted suicide twice. He has since become a mental health campaigner and a patron of the charity Mind. He has said that exercise helps him stay positive and motivated
Clarke Carlisle
He has said that exercise helps him stay positive and motivated by giving him a purpose and a goal. He also uses exercise as a way to connect with others and to feel part of a community
the American mixed martial artist, judoka, and wrestler, who is a former UFC champion and a current WWE star. She has opened up about her battle with depression and suicidal thoughts after losing her UFC title to Holly Holm in 2015. She has said that exercise helped her recover from her loss by giving her a challenge and a goal
Ronda Rousey
the actress and author who is known for her roles in Halloween, A Fish Called Wanda, and Freaky Friday. She has also struggled with a substance use disorder that centered around painkillers. She became addicted to prescription drugs after a cosmetic procedure and hid her addiction for years. She entered recovery in 1999 and has been sober since then. She has said that exercise helped her stay sober by giving her a sense of accomplishment and a way to connect with others
Jamie Lee Curtis
the actress and producer who is known for her roles in Ghost, A Few Good Men, and G.I. Jane. She has also dealt with a substance use disorder that involved alcohol, prescription drugs, and nitrous oxide. She went to rehab in 2012 after collapsing at her home and suffering a seizure. She has said that exercise helped her stay sober by giving her a sense of discipline and a way to cope with stress
Demi Moore