I started swimming at the age of 6 or 7, and until about 13, I didn’t lose: state champion, state record holder, top-five in the country in some events. Then, suddenly, I wasn’t as dominant—I felt as though I had lost the only thing I was successful at.

The pressure to succeed was all-consuming, and the vast majority of it was self-inflicted. I was putting the pressure on myself, and pushing friends and loved ones away. The college recruiting process started before my junior year, and it was supposed to be a time filled with excitement. For me, it added more pressure. I just wanted the process to be over.

I committed to Penn State during my junior year, and then my senior year was when COVID hit. I know how hard that time was for so many people, but for me, it was a time of rejuvenation. Getting space from swimming, I could be a normal kid for the first time in my life. I was able to reconnect and rebuild relationships with so many people. I was happy for the first time in years. If not for COVID, I probably would’ve quit the sport.

I know from experience the role mental health plays in athletics. When you get to know people, you realize how many of us struggle with it. The chokehold that competition has on individuals is indescribable. Performance defines who we are. When something becomes all-consuming, it will eat you alive.

That’s why I got involved with the Jana Marie Foundation, a mental health organization in Centre County. I had done a crowdfunding campaign for the foundation, and then in the spring of my junior year, there was a mental health event through Athletics. Afterward, I went up and said, “Hey, I’d love to be a voice for you guys.” I started speaking at small events. I enjoy sharing my story—part of it is, I know I’m good at it, but also, I like to see tangible change. People come up to me afterward telling me how my words resonated with their personal story. It’s like mowing the lawn: You see the stripes.

Now, in partnership with the Jana Marie Foundation, I created a video series called Courageous Lions, and I invited other Penn State athletes to talk about their mental health journeys. It will be a resource on the Jana Marie YouTube channel. I’m hoping it’s something that’ll well outlast my time here.

My mom always pushed the idea that “You can’t just be Jacob Oberle the swimmer, because one day swimming ends for everyone.” By my senior year at Penn State, I was one of the bottom three swimmers on our team, but I was also team captain—I knew I could add so much more value outside of the pool. Before, all of my identity was found in the pool. Now, I want to be able to have conversations with people and have swimming not even be mentioned.

Jacob Oberle graduated in May with a degree in political science.