5 Mental Health Tips from Distance-Runner Fiona O’Keeffe

For Mental Health Awareness month, Team USA long distance-runner, Fiona O’Keeffe gives her tips to staying mentally strong while running. Fiona explains how sleep, family/friends, nature, and limiting social media has helped her mental well-being. “It’s okay to struggle with your mental health, but you don’t need to struggle alone,” says Fiona.

World-class athletes join us in the #MentalHealthFitness campaign to acknowledge the importance of prioritizing mental health as well as physical wellbeing. In personal videos, they share how they’ve been able to face their own mental health challenges and offer pointers on how to combine fitness with core mental health skill building to maintain your #MentalHealthFitness.  

For more inspiring videos on how world-class athletes stay mentally fit, check out this year’s Mental Health Fitness campaign.

Fiona O’Keeffe, a rising star in American distance running, burst onto the marathon scene in 2024 with a victory at the U.S. Olympic Trials, securing her spot on Team USA at the Paris Olympics. Previously a standout at Stanford University, O’Keeffe garnered accolades as a six-time All-American and Pac-12 champion in cross country.

Asking for support when you need it is a key part of maintaining your #MentalHealthFitness. These resources can help:

• How Can We Help Kids With Self-Regulation?
• ADHD and Exercise
• Sports for Kids With Learning and Emotional Challenges