Australian Olympic great Leisel Jones goes public with personal news about depression struggles
Jones is an Olympic gold medallist and seven-time world champion who burst onto the international scene as a gun 15-year-old breaststroker.
Only a day ago the 39-year-old took to Instagram to reveal the depths of her struggles, posting a phot of herself with tears streaming down her face.
'Stay until tomorrow,' she said.
'It's one of my favourite sayings. Yesterday was one of my worst days and I wanted to end it all.
'I think I have been battling high-functioning depression for a little while now and have just gone back to work with a psych.
'In the dark moments I promise myself to just stay until tomorrow and it's amazing what the next day can bring.
'Today was spectacular. I had some free time after work and went on an hour long walk along the beach. No goals. No plans. Just enjoy the sunshine and the view.
'I was really missing my walking buddy (former swimmer) Meagen Nay but walking by myself was enough.
'It changed my whole perspective on things.
'So if life has felt like a kick in the c*** lately, promise me you'll stay until tomorrow 🤞🏽.'
Jones' candid words have been praised by Lifeline Australia, which commented on her post to say that her revelation could help many others struggling with depression.
'Thank you for your vulnerability and courage in sharing this, Leisel. Your words will no doubt bring comfort to many who are quietly battling their own struggles. Lifeline is always here for you.'
Jones's celebrity friends were also quick to show their support.
Fellow swimmer Giaan Rooney wrote: 'This post will help so many others darling, but just as importantly, I hope it helps you see how truly loved you are, how the world is a better place for having you in it & how many are in your corner - so much love to you always.'
Comedian Dave Hughes agreed a beach walk could do wonders.
'Australia loves you, but that doesn't matter. You loving life is all that matters. But not even that. Let's just be still,' Hughes said
Peter Helliar also offered his perspective, writing that sometimes noticing the little things that could make you feel better.
'Even tiny things like the way opening curtains to let light in your room can feel, the way fresh air can rejuvenate, seeing a friend,' he said..
'We spend time waiting for big life changing moments but there are so many tiny life affirming moments around us everyday. I'm trying hard to recognise how those moments make me feel. Thanks for sharing and I hope you continue to find your moments.'
Jones was the first Australian swimmer to attend four Olympic games, launching her spectacular career at just 15 at the Sydney Olympics and then going to the 2004 Athens Olympics, where she was part of the gold-medal winning women's 4x100m relay.
She also won gold for the 100m breaststroke and the 4x100 medley relay at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and had a glittering career that included many other swimming achievements.
Since retiring from the pool she has become an author and media commentator.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
7NEWS
37 minutes ago
- 7NEWS
Home and Away to film in WA for first time in TV drama's history
Home and Away will film in WA for the first time in the show's 37-year history, and the team behind Australia's number one TV drama has promised an 'ambitions, high-stakes' storyline to mark the occasion. The program will swap Summer Bay for WA in October, with filming to take place across several locations including Perth, the state's rugged coastline and expansive outback. Home and Away's series producer, Lucy Addario, said the team is 'beyond excited' to be filming out west. 'Its awe-inspiring beauty, diverse landscapes and sheer scale make it the perfect backdrop for this huge storyline,' Addario said. Pre-production is underway for the five special episodes, which will showcase WA to audiences in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and almost 50 other international markets. The trip west is in partnership with Tourism WA and the WA Government, which is keen to capitalise on the 250,000 UK viewers who tune into Home and Away every night. The UK is already WA's largest tourism market, with 117,000 visitors from there pouring about $240 million into the local economy in 2024. 'We are thrilled' 'From Summer Bay to WA, we are thrilled to welcome one of Australia's most iconic television shows to our state,' WA Tourism Minister Reece Whitby said. 'Home and Away has been a staple of Australian television for close to 40 years, and this special WA storyline presents a great opportunity to showcase the state to millions of viewers across the country and around the world. 'When our pristine coastline and diverse tourism experiences are broadcast to homes across the country and overseas next year, we encourage viewers to come and see these spectacular locations for themselves.' Tourism Council WA chief executive Evan Hall said WA's beaches and coastal lifestyle 'are really appealing to the UK visitor'. 'Getting in with Home and Away is the ideal way to showcase that,' he told 7NEWS. The episodes are expected to air on Seven and 7plus in 2026.
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
Singer Ed Sheeran reveals disturbing truth about life in the spotlight
Singer Ed Sheeran has revealed how his extreme stardom continues to put his family in danger. The global superstar, who recently announced his 2026 Australian tour, revealed on Sunday that he's been forced to employ extensive security measures to protect his children from extreme fans. Sheeran shares daughter Lyra, four, and Jupiter, three, with Cherry Seaborn. 'It's things that people don't really even take into account,' Sheeran told 60 Minutes. 'Like kidnap threats and s**t like that. We've had attempted break-ins, things left on my car. 'It's way more sinister than just fans turning up and wanting selfies.' Sheeran is fiercely protective of his daughters and does not allow fans to take photos of them. 'I've had some real arguments before,' he said. 'I'm fine with taking pictures, but I just think it's weird with a four-year-old and a three-year-old.' But Sheeran accepts: 'To be within the public sphere, you have to take it all, the good and the bad.' 'We have a level of security that probably won't change until I pass away. That's just our life now.' The English singer-songwriter returns to Perth for the first Aussie leg of his Loop Tour in January 2026, marking his first national performances since 2023. Announcing 11 shows across Australia and New Zealand in the summer, the four-time Grammy winner will touch down in WA for a singular Optus Stadium performance on January 31. He will then head east for two shows in each of Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne, before concluding the all-new tour with a one-off performance in Adelaide on March 5. Sheeran's forthcoming project Play — his eighth studio album — is due for release on September 12, with tracks Old Phone, Azizam and Sapphire already released. The album signals the conclusion of his three-year, 168-show Mathematics Tour that breached Aussie shores in 2023. 'Starting a brand new tour next year called the LOOP tour. New stage, new tricks, new set up, new songs and all the classics added in,' Sheeran told fans upon the tour announcement. Sheeran has impressively sold in excess of 2.5 million tickets in his previous jaunts through Australia and New Zealand. General sale tickets will begin from 3pm WST July 29, with pre-sale for Telstra and Frontier members staggered from July 25.
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Ed Sheeran's disturbing truth about life in the spotlight
Singer Ed Sheeran has revealed how his extreme stardom continues to put his family in danger. The global superstar, who recently announced his 2026 Australian tour, revealed on Sunday that he's been forced to employ extensive security measures to protect his children from extreme fans. Sheeran shares daughter Lyra, four, and Jupiter, three, with Cherry Seaborn. 'It's things that people don't really even take into account,' Sheeran told 60 Minutes. 'Like kidnap threats and s**t like that. We've had attempted break-ins, things left on my car. 'It's way more sinister than just fans turning up and wanting selfies.' Ed Sheeran arriving in Perth. Credit: Ian Munro / The West Australian Sheeran is fiercely protective of his daughters and does not allow fans to take photos of them. 'I've had some real arguments before,' he said. 'I'm fine with taking pictures, but I just think it's weird with a four-year-old and a three-year-old.' But Sheeran accepts: 'To be within the public sphere, you have to take it all, the good and the bad.' 'We have a level of security that probably won't change until I pass away. That's just our life now.' The English singer-songwriter returns to Perth for the first Aussie leg of his Loop Tour in January 2026, marking his first national performances since 2023. Announcing 11 shows across Australia and New Zealand in the summer, the four-time Grammy winner will touch down in WA for a singular Optus Stadium performance on January 31. He will then head east for two shows in each of Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne, before concluding the all-new tour with a one-off performance in Adelaide on March 5. Ed Sheeran performs in Wellington Credit: Zakary Walters/Ed Sheeran / Instagram Sheeran's forthcoming project Play — his eighth studio album — is due for release on September 12, with tracks Old Phone, Azizam and Sapphire already released. The album signals the conclusion of his three-year, 168-show Mathematics Tour that breached Aussie shores in 2023. 'Starting a brand new tour next year called the LOOP tour. New stage, new tricks, new set up, new songs and all the classics added in,' Sheeran told fans upon the tour announcement. Sheeran has impressively sold in excess of 2.5 million tickets in his previous jaunts through Australia and New Zealand. General sale tickets will begin from 3pm WST July 29, with pre-sale for Telstra and Frontier members staggered from July 25.
