In this episode of the Athlete Wellness series from Millennium Counseling Center, clinical intern Alessandra DiPace sits down with Paralympic gold medalist Noelle Malkamaki to discuss the intersection of mental health and athletics, particularly focusing on identity and performance in both able-bodied and Paralympic sports.

They discuss:

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• Noelle’s journey from youth sports to becoming a Paralympic champion
  
• Managing performance anxiety and the importance of mental health support
  
• Navigating dual identities as both an NCAA D1 and Paralympic athlete
  
• The role of community support in athletic success
  
• Breaking down stigmas around disability in sports
  
• The mental preparation that led to Paralympic gold
  

On Mental Health & Performance

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• Noelle discusses how working with a therapist helped her manage performance anxiety
  
• Emphasizes that mental preparation is just as important as physical training
  
• Shares how releasing pressure and finding joy led to her best performances
  

On Athletic Identity

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• Describes the challenges of balancing NCAA D1 and Paralympic competition
  
• Discusses the importance of developing identity beyond just being an athlete
  
• Highlights how diversifying identity helped reduce performance pressure
  

On Support Systems

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• Credits DePaul University coaches and community for unwavering support
  
• Discusses how coaches adapted training methods to suit her needs
  
• Emphasizes the importance of having mental health resources available to athletes
  

On Paralympic Success

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• Details her journey to winning gold at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris
  
• Shares the mindset shift that led to her world-record performance
  
• Discusses the growing visibility and recognition of Paralympic sports
  

Notable Quotes:

“I trained my body really, really hard and I look to experts to get the best training advice. Why would I not do the same for my mental health?” – Noelle Malkamaki

“When you diversify who you are and you have interests outside of sport, you’re more able to see the meet just as an opportunity to compete instead of an opportunity to actually find value in who you are as a person.” – Noelle Malkamaki

Resources Mentioned:

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• DePaul University Athletic Department
  
• Millennium Counseling Center’s Athlete Wellness Division
  
• Paralympic sports programs and classification process
  

About Noelle Malkamaki:

Noelle Malkamaki is an Illinois native and Paralympic gold medalist in shot put. Her achievements include:

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• 2024 Paralympic Games gold medalist
  
• World record holder (14.06m)
  
• Back-to-back Para World Champion (2023, 2024)
  
• Big East Conference NCAA honoree
  
• Connect with Noelle: Instagram | Team USA
  

This episode is part of Millennium Counseling Center’s ongoing commitment to supporting athlete mental health and wellness at all levels of competition.

About Millennium Athlete Wellness:

Millennium Athlete Wellness provides a holistic approach to mental health and performance enhancement for athletes. Our team comprises sports psychology experts and clinical mental health professionals dedicated to helping athletes at all levels achieve peak performance and overall wellness. Each athlete we work with is connected to a licensed counselor, many of whom have personal experience as Division 1 athletes. This unique insight ensures a deep understanding of athletes’ challenges, both on and off the field. Our mission is to support athletes’ mental well-being and performance through expert guidance and empathetic care.

Connect with the host of this episode, ‘Athlete Wellness | Paralympic Gold Medalist on Mental Health & Identity’:

Millennium Athlete Wellness: Website

Alessandra DiPace: Millennium | LinkedIn

More About Millennium Counseling Center: 

At Millennium Counseling Center, our mission is to provide compassionate and personalized support for individuals facing challenges related to mental health, addiction, relationships, and trauma. Our dedicated and diverse staff works to create a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment for people from all walks of life. We are committed to fostering a program and treatment plan uniquely tailored to your needs and who you are, helping you find a path to healing and growth.

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