"I really don't like hugging strangers that I don't know"- Aly Raisman opens up about setting boundaries while detailing her struggles with OCD

Former US gymnast Aly Raisman shared her story of setting boundaries, as she doesn't feel comfortable hugging and shaking hands with strangers after getting more into the public eye. Raisman suffered from OCD throughout her life, which first showed up when she did things a certain way to suit her comfort during her competitive gymnastics days.

Raisman, 30, was part of the gold-medal-winning 'Fierce Five' team at the 2012 London Olympics and 'Final Five' team at the 2016 Rio Olympics. In the former edition, she amassed gold in floor exercise and bronze in the balance beam. In Rio 2016, the two-time Olympian added the all-around and floor silver. Since ending her career in 2020, Raisman has been vocal about her sexual abuse experience at USA Gymnastics and motivated women to speak their truths.

In a recent conversation with NOCD Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Patrick McGrath, Aly Raisman shared her struggles with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) since her early gymnastics days.

Over the years, as she learned more about herself from therapy, the three-time Olympic gold medalist realized her boundaries. She spoke about how shaking hands and hugging strangers doesn't suit her comfort, especially after coming into the public eye.

"But I found as I've gotten more in the public eye, and I've also done a lot of therapy on myself, I have really become aware of what I'm comfortable with and what I'm not comfortable with, and I really don't like hugging strangers that I don't know, but I also don't like shaking people's hands," she sad. (via NOCD) (21:20 onwards)

Aly Raisman also reflected on her gymnastics days, when pleasing somebody was more important than how she felt about herself.

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Aly Raisman - "We have to do better and make sure that we’re all there for each other"

Aly Raisnan thinking at the Bipartisan Senators Hold News Conference On FBI's Handling Of Nassar Case - Source: Getty

After Aly Raisman faced difficult times at the USA Gymnastics for Dr. Larry Nassar's abusive nature, she tried to inspire with her story and break the stigma surrounding mental health. In conversation with Dr. McGrath, the 30-year-old said that people struggling with mental health-related issues must speak up to others to find solutions with varied approaches.

"It has to be more normalized, where we can help people and guide people so that they know that there’s help out there. Some kid might tell their parent, and their parent might want to do everything they can to help them; they just might not know what to do, or how to help their kid that they love so much..." she noted.

Raisman currently commentates at NCAA competitions. She recently served at the Paris Olympics as the hospitality ambassador, alongside swimming great, Michael Phelps.