Meet the women of LIVIN – Renee Gartner

LIVIN’s support network is of great importance for Renee. “The ability to have an instant outreach of people to be able to chat all things life and mental health, and truly putting into play that invulnerability comes strength.” Having an extensive background in sport (Renee played netball for QLD and boxed for NSW), she quickly gained valuable insights into the behind-the-scenes of the athletes’ need for emotional resilience, developing an early and keen interest in sports psychology.

Learning to articulate her own emotional and mental wellbeing, and doing so within the framework of her place with LIVIN, has been an achievement of great significance. “It has granted an opportunity to continue telling my story and breaking down stigmas around mental illness – it’s also helped me become more comfortable in my own skin too.”
It wasn’t initially her aim, but her interest in communication landed her in a role in media, helping athletes to commandeer that landscape with the skills needed to tell their own stories.

There’s just one important part of her own story Renee didn’t have a say in: she’s an avid Manly Sea Eagles fan. “My Dad used to play for them – so I had no choice…”

Renee’s Mental Health Tip:

Being kind to ourselves is paramount to how we can then be present for others. On those days when the weight of the world feels a little heavier on the shoulders, I take my time – and I create micro-goals. Rather than the pressures of, “I have to exercise today”, or “I have to achieve a certain amount of success”, my lists are simplified too, “make your bed”, “to let’s just wash up that one cup in the sink!” 

Slowly, you get a small feeling of achievement – that walk/exercise might seem a little more doable – and if it’s not… you have a freshly made bed to jump back into until you are ready to go again!