Discover Your Inner Peace with Headspace: A Journey of a Para-Athlete

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Explore how the popular meditation app Headspace has supported one para-athlete in his pursuit of mental wellness and athletic excellence.

Track-and-field para-athlete Blake Leeper, an eight-time world record holder, has triumphed in numerous international competitions. Yet, one of his most significant challenges lies outside the 400-meter dash.

“As a Black man growing up in East Tennessee with a disability, my understanding of mental health was limited. I learned that showing emotions meant weakness—‘real men don’t cry,’” Leeper explains.

“Fast forward to today: here I am in a sports psychology meeting, shedding tears,” he shares. “In that moment of vulnerability, I felt immensely stronger. It’s challenging to engage in mental work.”

One transformative tool that has aided Leeper in recognizing the significance of mental health in both his sport and personal life is the renowned meditation app Headspace—despite his initial skepticism.

“I’m easily distracted, so committing to meditate alone feels unrealistic. Headspace breaks it down for me—step one, step two, step three—which is tremendously helpful,” he adds.

Here are a few Headspace meditations that support Leeper throughout his daily routines.

Morning Mindfulness

To kick off his day on a positive note, Blake Leeper frequently enjoys guided meditations by Dora Kamau, a certified yoga instructor and former psychiatric nurse. Kamau's “Yellowstone Eyes-Open Meditation” features calming sounds next to the flowing Madison River in Yellowstone National Park.

“The river flows with constant change on the surface, yet beneath it, there is tranquility and stability,” Kamau expresses in her seven-minute video. “It may encounter obstacles but eventually returns to its essence without judgment.”

Leeper reflects on the two pivotal questions Kamau poses at the end of her meditation: “Where can you become more flexible, open, or adaptive? Where can you embrace surrendering to the natural rhythms and cycles of life?”

Managing Daily Stress

After incorporating mindfulness practices into his routine, Leeper has experienced a remarkable shift in how he views anxiety.

Previously, he would feel anxious before every race, but through Kessonga Giscombe’s meditations, his perspective has transformed.

“This feeling of anxiety signals how much I value this moment,” he states. “I've realized that this itself is a gift—I care deeply about my passions, which naturally brings nerves. It’s an indicator of my engagement.”

Giscombe’s Managing Stress program offers a series of evidence-based exercises that require less than 10 minutes each day to implement, aiding this mental shift.

“Stress is a normal aspect of everyone's life,” Giscombe emphasizes. “When effectively managed, stress can foster growth, prompt action, and inspire positive change.”

Evening Reflection

To conclude his day with self-compassion and introspection, Leeper often listens to the “Loving Others” and “Self Love” meditations by Carlos Alberto.

“Distractions pull our attention in countless directions, and without awareness, these forces can overwhelm us. Allocating time to connect with oneself is vital,” Alberto advises during the “Self Love” meditation. “Taking time for self-care enhances your capacity to navigate daily challenges.”

This message deeply resonates with Leeper.

“I remind myself, ‘You did well today. While some moments could improve, you showed up and put in the effort.’ Cultivating self-love before sleep is essential for my peace of mind.”

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