WNBA Players Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike Talk Sisterhood and Wellness: “It Starts From Within”

First-generation WNBA gamers Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike and former skilled athlete turned life and wellness coach Koya Webb are three girls who’re no strangers to an energetic life-style. Final week, they had been in attendance for Black Love’s 2nd YOU Retreat and spoke on a panel titled “Wellness At The Highest Degree.” When discussing being an athlete and wellness, the very first thing that involves thoughts is being in form as a result of that’s paramount for sports activities. You train, prepare, and conform your complete life-style to provide your physique the capability it must thrive as an athlete. However how usually will we take into consideration psychological wellness after we talk about being an athlete? Nneka, Chiney, and Koya not solely examined their experiences and the way psychological wellness coincides with the bodily, however they highlighted how they incorporate it into their each day lives. 

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I sat in awe of how the Ogwumike sisters not solely gave one another their flowers however talked about how their upbringing has contributed to the ladies that they’re right this moment. The unity and selflessness they confirmed all through the dialogue had been a transparent indication of the grounding household values they had been raised with. They explored how their dad and mom instilled in them sisterhood and compassion over competitiveness not solely on the court docket however in life. Speak about humility and uplifting each other as a substitute of attempting to dim the opposite’s mild! Regardless of that although, they opened up that it’s not at all times straightforward to remain constructive. “Now we have to confess, although, generally our mild will get extinguished because of the challenges we face.” Nneka reminisced on a weak time in her life when she received injured at a pivotal level within the season. Her self-worth was at an all-time low, and she or he admitted to being embarrassed as a result of she couldn’t carry herself up throughout that darkish second. “Hurricane Nneka” (her household nickname) went from what she described as being the “sturdy buddy,” to being unable to have a look at herself within the mirror as a result of she was so defeated. 

As Koya shared, she revealed that athletics, for her, was a manner out of what she described as a poisonous dwelling atmosphere. Webb advised herself, “Something I’m prepared to work arduous at, I can do,” and used her dedication, consistency, and self-discipline to good her craft. Nevertheless, she couldn’t have predicted {that a} again fracture would put an finish to that driving drive. Koya advised the viewers that she battled despair, and wasn’t till at some point in school, she couldn’t cease crying. Her instructor then referred her to counseling, the place she can be launched to a type of health that she wasn’t all too snug nor aware of: Kemetic Yoga, an historic Egyptian model of Yoga that comes with bodily actions mixed with managed deep respiration and meditation. The irony is that yoga may be thought-about taboo in Christianity, however Koya shared how yoga has truly strengthened her relationship with God. Koya compares taking her first breath to the sensation of chills throughout her physique to when she received baptized. As soon as she embraced yoga, it aided in her religious development. One thing that Koya additionally started to embrace was the ability of claiming, “No.” One would suppose that it could be straightforward to only say, “No,” when somebody requested one thing of you, however for these of us that had or have people-pleasing tendencies, saying “no” to somebody can really feel like the top of our world. Now, Koya has realized to take reign over these crippling habits. “Those who love me as me, these are my individuals. I’ve to be very conscious of who’s in my inside circle now.” 

The Ogwumike sisters have basically been their very own inside circle, and so they shared on discovering out the significance of sisterhood and companionship throughout a time when Chiney was unable to be sturdy for herself. With the mantra of “Ima do me,” Nneka gave perception as to how she navigates the adversities of life by way of psychological wellness. “There’s elements to our expertise that has every little thing to do with what we’re feeling inside.” This consists of wholesome boundaries for herself and others, self-care, and being aware of the language she makes use of when she talks to herself. Nneka additionally talked about how going by way of tough moments in life lets you filter by way of your circle to find out who is admittedly for you and the way that additionally interprets into your bodily and psychological wellness. Chiney attested to only how a lot her sister’s implementation of boundaries has influenced her to have her personal. Additional, she described Nneka as a help system for her when she was immobilized resulting from an harm by offering her with validation and in addition filling herself with constructive affirmations and language and emphasised the significance of de-stigmatizing remedy and wellness within the Black neighborhood. 

The message that was caught in my coronary heart essentially the most was the significance of psychological well being and remedy. Granted, in life, we at all times undergo issues right here and there, and for a few of these moments, we might be able to brush them off and transfer on. However when life actually hits, then what? Then you definitely’re caught. You’ll be able to’t suppose, can’t pray; every little thing appears and feels off. When Nneka talked concerning the darkish moments that she went by way of the place she couldn’t even have a look at herself within the mirror, that hit dwelling. I used to seek out myself caught in a pit at some extent in my life, questioning how I even received off the bed to go to work. I’d get in my automobile, take off my “masks” and simply begin boohoo crying. It wasn’t till I began to increase and deepen my relationship with God that I used to be in a position to start recovering from the issues that I used to be experiencing. Like Koya, I discovered my energy in constructing my relationship with God and being open to new strategies of therapeutic. I by no means thought I wanted remedy. I had didn’t have something in opposition to it, I simply didn’t suppose I’d ever want it. Then life occurred, and a really pricey individual to my coronary heart really useful that I start remedy. It took me some time, however it wasn’t till I began remedy and started unpacking every little thing from childhood on to relationships, and many others., that I used to be in a position to start to find who I’m past the mess. This panel dialogue confirmed me you possibly can eat all of the wholesome meals, train each day, get spa remedies twice per week, however for those who’re not catering to your psychological well being, then the upkeep of the bodily is in useless. 

The YOU Retreat was an occasion of empowerment and true neighborhood amongst Black girls. In a society the place we’re skilled to be pitted in opposition to each other, this retreat has created a secure house the place psychological well being and wellness, and sisterhood are favored upon and mandated. Hugging and mingling with girls whom you’ve by no means met, constructing connections, and empowering each other merely by way of dialog — there was no room for something that was not constructive and never God-like. I’ve really been impressed being a witness to the testimonies of faith-driven girls who had been the place I’m. The normalizing and validation of my very own experiences that I acquired (and didn’t know I wanted) was every little thing, and I’m endlessly grateful to have been part of such an expertise. 

Wanting extra of those moments stuffed with sisterhood? To not fear — we received you fam! The YOU Retreat offered by Black Love is now accessible to stream on the Black Love+ app!