"I've already been on the medication" - Noah Lyles opens up on struggling with mental health and dealing with depression

Noah Lyles recently opened up about his struggles with mental health, revealing how he dealt with depression while navigating the pressures of an elite athletic career. Similar to his goals, Lyles has been open about his mental health struggles throughout his career.

After clinching two gold medals at the 2019 World Athletics Championships, Lyles was deemed the favorite to dominate the sprinting events at the Tokyo Games. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the isolation made Lyles lose his energy and joy, which was later deepened by the tragic death of George Floyd.

In a recent interview with Beyond The Records Podcast, alongside Rai Benjamin and Grant Holloway, Lyles reflected on how the struggle impacted his performance and mindset, leading him to resort to medication. He stated that he even doubted he would make it in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics squad.

"I've already been on the medication since the start of 2021 and I came off the medication around like May of 2021," Lyles said. "I have to like wean off of it because I started realizing that even though mentally I was getting better I didn't have that drive you know I didn't have that excitement I didn't have that Noah spark you know and because of that, I was like I don't think I can run or race without that spark that's just not me anymore."

At the 2020 Tokyo Games, Lyles secured a bronze medal in the 200m event after clocking a decent time of 19.74 seconds, following Andre De Grasse and Kenny Bednarek, who clocked 19.62 and 19.68 seconds, respectively.

"I just need to move on from track" - Noah Lyles reveals his coping mechanism after losing the 200m gold medal in Tokyo

Noah Lyles of the USA during the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Getty Images)

In the same interview, Noah Lyles reflected on how he dealt with losing the 200m title at the Tokyo Games.

Lyles stated that he struggled with the thoughts of leaving track to focus on himself. However, he always found his way back, refocusing his mind and deciding to return the next season.

"There was that like split like two days or maybe I just need to move on from track because I need to get myself together.," Lyles said. "But I would always come back in my head. I just had to get my mind focused back. So you know I lost the 200 in 2021 and you know I'm now like you know I'm done for the season. I'll just come back next year."

At the Paris Games, Noah Lyles secured a gold medal in the 100m and a bronze medal in the 200m events.