In our latest podcast interview, we spoke to Jessica Jislova, the athlete representative on biathlon’s new Mental Health Working Group (MHWG).

Jessica, a current athlete from Czechia, has just joined a line-up of experts on the panel, which is an initiative by the International Biathlon Union and Biathlon Integrity Unit aimed at prioritising mental health in athletes, coaches, and support staff.

In the interview, Jessica discusses her role on the working group, as well as wider questions about why the group is needed and what she hopes it will achieve.

As athlete representative, Jessica says she hopes she will be able to act as a ‘bridge’ between the group and current athletes, ensuring that athletes know that they are “not alone in their troubles”.

Jessica also discusses her own battle with overtraining, which left her unable to climb more than one flight of stairs without stopping for a rest, and how she overcame this debilitating condition.

Finally, she addresses the role of coaches and athlete support personnel in helping to maintain and improve athletes’ mental health.

To listen to the interview, click here.