A’ja Wilson opened up about her mental health journey in 2021: “I had to accept — no, no, no, I had to embrace — the fact that the real A’ja that I am on certain days isn’t the same A’ja that a commentator sees, or that a teammate sees, or that even my best friend sees.
And that’s O.K.
My emotions are my emotions. My pain is my pain. My story is my story.
Listen, I love Kobe. I used to get myself all worked up watching his interviews on YouTube — driving myself crazy like, You better get up at 5 a.m. and be in that gym before everybody else, A!!! MAMBA MENTALITY!!! THEY’RE SLEEPING, YOU’RE GRINDING!!!
But you know what? Some mornings I don’t want to be that person. Some mornings I want to sit in bed and maybe cry my heart out a little bit, and feel all the feelings. That’s not weakness. That’s honesty.
At the end of the day, there are different paths to greatness. And I feel like we don’t hear that message enough, especially as Black women.
You can be vulnerable and still be the MVP.
You can be vulnerable and still be the CEO.
You can be vulnerable and still be in the White House.
You don’t have to put the mask on every morning.”
A’ja Wilson Opens Up About Her Mental Health Journey: Embracing Every Version of Herself
In 2021, WNBA star A’ja Wilson, one of the most dominant forces in professional basketball, opened up in a deeply personal and vulnerable way about her mental health journey. Known for her incredible performances on the court, the two-time MVP and Las Vegas Aces forward admitted that the version of A’ja the public sees during games or interviews is not always the same as the one she experiences in her private moments. Her honesty shed light on the often-hidden emotional realities professional athletes face and offered a message of acceptance and compassion for anyone struggling with their mental well-being.
“I had to accept — no, no, no, I had to embrace — the fact that the real A’ja that I am on certain days isn’t the same A’ja that a commentator sees, or that a teammate sees, or that even my best friend sees,” Wilson said. This powerful reflection became a turning point for her, illustrating the importance of self-acceptance in the face of mental health challenges.
A Different Kind of Battle
For much of her career, Wilson has been celebrated for her strength, leadership, and poise under pressure. She’s been a number one draft pick, a WNBA champion, an Olympic gold medalist, and one of the league’s most recognizable stars. Yet, like many athletes, she has faced the quiet and often invisible struggle of managing mental health while living under the constant glare of public expectation.
Wilson shared that, in the past, she felt a certain pressure to be “on” at all times — smiling in interviews, performing at peak levels in games, and projecting unshakeable confidence. But off the court, she sometimes felt like a completely different person, one who needed space to rest, recover, and simply be. Learning to accept this difference, rather than feel guilt or shame about it, was a critical step in her mental health journey.
Breaking the Stigma in Sports
In recent years, a growing number of athletes have spoken up about mental health, from Naomi Osaka and Simone Biles to Kevin Love and DeMar DeRozan. Wilson’s openness adds another vital voice to the movement, especially within women’s sports, where resources and attention to mental health have historically lagged behind those in men’s leagues.
By publicly acknowledging her struggles, Wilson helps to dismantle the stigma that athletes — especially those at the top of their game — should somehow be immune to anxiety, depression, or emotional exhaustion. She makes it clear that strength is not about pretending everything is fine; it’s about facing the truth and giving yourself the grace to heal.
The Importance of Support Systems
A key part of Wilson’s journey has been surrounding herself with people who understand and support her without judgment. She’s credited her family, friends, and teammates with helping her navigate the ups and downs of life in the spotlight.
Still, she emphasizes that even with support, the real work of mental health begins internally. Accepting that she can show up differently in different situations — and that all those versions are valid — has been liberating. “I’m still me,” she’s said in various interviews, “whether I’m having the best day ever or just trying to make it through.”
Owning Her Narrative
Wilson’s decision to speak candidly about her mental health also reflects her growing commitment to controlling her own narrative. Athletes are often defined by statistics, highlight reels, and public perception, but Wilson is carving out space to be seen as a whole person — not just a performer.
She encourages fans to understand that what they see on game day is just one part of her story. Off the court, she is still navigating the same human challenges that millions of people face, and she wants to normalize those conversations.
A Broader Message of Self-Compassion
At the heart of Wilson’s message is self-compassion. Her statement that she had to embrace the different versions of herself — not just accept them — offers a lesson for anyone dealing with feelings of inadequacy or pressure to live up to an external image.
By reframing her thinking, Wilson has turned what once felt like a struggle into an act of self-love. “Some days,” she’s shared, “you have to allow yourself to be exactly who you are in that moment — no performance, no mask, no apology.”
A Legacy Beyond Basketball
While A’ja Wilson’s accolades on the court are already cementing her as one of the greatest players in WNBA history, her willingness to speak openly about her mental health may prove to be one of her most impactful contributions. She’s showing young athletes, fans, and the broader public that vulnerability is not a weakness — it’s a strength.
Her journey serves as a reminder that mental health is not a destination but a process, one that requires patience, honesty, and the courage to embrace every version of yourself.
In sharing her truth, A’ja Wilson is not just winning games — she’s changing the conversation around what it means to be truly strong.
If you’d like, I can also prepare a follow-up piece exploring how her story has influenced other WNBA players to speak out about mental health. That would help connect her journey to a larger movement. Would you like me to do that next?
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