Story of,
This is the story of one Eric Gusa. Gusa is currently race age 35-39 and has been racing since 2004. Before that, he was a competitive swimmer. When he was just 16 years (around the age of what most these stories have been about) he was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder.. Currently he coaches for Team Playtri. Several of his athletes are youth and juniors. This is his story.
“I was diagnosed with clinical depression when I was 16 years old,” Gusa said. “It grew over time. I guess the pressure of competing and having a high homework load and things like that just really got to me so it just kind of manifested itself through time.”
Gusa didn’t have much of a social life because of his dedication to swimming and school work, which likely affected his mental health.
“And then one day just kind of just completely just broke down,” Gusa said. “And I just couldn't take any more. So, I had to go see a specialist.”
Gusa believed his issues were just normal teenager mood swings and that everyone around him also experienced his depression.
“So, once I was diagnosed, I went and saw a psychologist,” Gusa said. “And pretty much we sat down and talked about things and really just kind of figure out where what was the root stem of why. And it was just, it was just a multiple multitude of things like just trying to make everyone happy.”
Gusa wasn’t looking out for himself. He saw himself as unimportant.
“It was this kind of is one of those things where I was doing things for my brothers and not for myself,” Gusa said. “I wasn't looking at my own health, and it just kind of kept spiraling downward from there. Then just really, from there the specialist that I saw gave me some great exercises to do [meditation].”
Gusa tried medication but it didn’t work for him. It worsened his depression and made him more Asocial.
“Meditation really was [going] somewhere that you're not common to,” Gusa said. “It was getting out of the house, go to a park go to a place where there wasn't a whole lot of traffic to where you can sit, and in quiet and in peace. And just think things over really.”
Gusa joined the military in 2006 and was discharged in 2012 from Special Boat Team 22 as a Petty Officer, Second Class.
“Then going through the military just really helped me build a stronger mindset,” Gusa said. “To where I can't think of the bad things. I have to think of positive things. Because once somebody starts thinking more negative, it's just it's a rabbit hole. You just keep going down. And it's hard to get back up.”
Over the years, Gusa no longer needed the meditation and had other ways to bring him back up. From racing and coaching.
“I really don't meditate anymore. I probably should,” Gusa said. “But that's why I have triathlon. Stuff like going on group rides or spending time with you guys [team], really helps you with that.”
Gusa didn’t start out in triathlon though. In 2004 he did his first triathlon, in a speedo, in 40 degree weather. Not knowing any better.
“I decided to get into triathlon, just because it was interesting,” Gusa said. “I'd never done one before, and I thought it'd be a great way to stay in shape pretty much.”
In recent years, Gusa has faced cardiac problems that have caused issues in his training and racing. Causing Gusa to sit out several races.
“The health issues that I've had is more cardiovascular,” Gusa said. “When I was going through those medical issues, having a positive mental attitude was a big part of not going into the slump that I did when I was in my teenage years.”
Sitting out because of physical injuries, can wreck one’s mental state. Gusa had to focus on what was ahead.
“Pretty much what I had to do was focus on the future,” Gusa said. “Okay, if I'm not able to compete, what am I able to do’ like I had to keep thinking to myself ‘There's always a light at the tunnel, no matter which tunnel that you're going to go down.”
Gusa has a whole nother perspective on the mental health of athletes, as he is coaching youth and junior triathletes.
“Being a coach, you see a lot of different things,” Gusa said. “You really have to stay focused on what the athletes really feeling. We really want to know, like, how are you doing so we can really focus on you and your personal well-being and your mindset.”
Gusa is prepared to help his athletes through his own experience, and learning the athlete and becoming their friend, as well as their coach, through hard times.
“I think that's what a lot of misconception is in depression is you got to figure it out for yourself,” Gusa said. “Having a good support group is actually better for you. And what we have here in Dallas is phenomenal. And I wish it would it would spread all over.”
Finding yourself is what can lead you to your own happiness. Going outside, and just thinking, meditating on what's going on around you so that you can find happiness in yourself so that you can take care of yourself. And finding those who will help you take care of yourself, can lead you to happiness. That's what's important at the end of the day. You have to find your light at the end of the tunnel and surround yourself with those who will help you reach the light.
Yours truly,
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