Andre De Grasse, the Canadian sprinter and six-time Olympic medalist, emphasizes the significance of prioritizing both physical and mental health. De Grasse articulates the profound impact that a well-rounded approach to health can have on performance and overall well-being.
What inspired you to create the Andre De Grasse Family Foundation?
In the summer of 2013, just a year after starting in track, I was named to the national team representing Canada at the 2013 Pan American Junior Track & Field Championships in Columbia. But I was responsible for most of the costs of the trip and my mom simply didn’t have the required finances to cover it. Tony Sharpe, the coach who’d taken me under his wing, turned to a generous family connected with his track club and they sponsored the cost of my trip. I came back with a silver and bronze medal. Their support made all the difference in the world and I really don’t know where I’d be today if it hadn’t been for that family. After coming home from the Rio Olympics with three medals, a little wealth of my own and a growing platform, I knew that I was going to figure out a way to pay it forward and that’s exactly what my mom and I have done with the Andre De Grasse Family Foundation.
The charity is dedicated to inspiring and empowering youth through access to sport, education and healthcare. We’ve partnered with a variety of charities including: Kids Help Phone, WoodGreen Community Services, Special Olympics Ontario, Food Banks Canada, and the SickKids Caribbean Initiative. We also teamed up with Athletics Canada to create the Andre De Grasse Future Champions Scholarship program to ensure a new generation of emerging high school track & field athletes from across Canada have the necessary mentorship and financial support to earn university scholarships.
What is the importance of having access to healthcare?
Health is everything and without access to adequate healthcare, there’s just no way you’re going to reach you potential in life. Poor health impacts your ability to learn, make a living, develop new relationships and live a fulfilling life.
Why do you believe it is important for youth to be involvement in sports?
Organized sports of any type are amazing for children to develop basic coordination skills, develop friendships, improve overall health and emotional wellbeing. As kids get into more competitive sport, they also learn about the importance of commitment, resilience and developing a strong work ethic.
Why do you believe it is important to prioritize mental health?
Mental health is at the root of everything. Like you always hear, “healthy mind, healthy body”. Emotional and social well being influences how you think, feel and act. When I’m on top of my mental game, I can handle stress, better relate to others and more easily make difficult choices then when I’m struggling.
What do you do to take care of your mental health?
I count my blessings every day and practice a lot of gratitude. I try not to get too wound up in any one aspect of my life that might not be going well. I have a little mantra that I try to stick to: “never let success get to your head or failure to your heart”. Balance is really important in my life and that comes with a focus on my sleep, spending time with my family and friends and giving back to others whenever I can.
