Grayson Murphy: Professional Athlete & Mental Health Advocate

Distance runner Grayson Murphy is a two-time Mountain Running World Champion and Saucony’s first ever professional trail athlete. Along with her Mountain Running World Championship titles, she is a decorated collegiate athlete and two-time XTERRA US Champion. Outside of running, Grayson is known for her advocacy on various topics regarding mental and physical health in sport, inspiring athletes of all ages! I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to speak with Grayson, and we discussed much of what has shaped her mission as not just an athlete, but a public figure.

Grayson grew up playing soccer, and continued along that path when she began her studies at Sweet Briar College. She was a midfielder, a position typically characterized by lots of running. Although she absolutely adored the feeling of being on a team, she quickly began to feel burnt out in the sport, which eventually prompted her switch to cross country. She knew that being a part of a team was something of great importance to her, but also wanted the ability to develop as an individual. Grayson found that she could have the best of both worlds in running! She made the switch the summer preceding her sophomore year of college, transferring to Santa Clara University as a walk-on. Grayson intended to simply run for pleasure, but her talent and dedication had other plans. Upon graduating from the University of Utah in 2018, she joined NAZ Elite, a professional running group sponsored by HOKA, and eventually teamed up with Saucony, her present-day sponsor.

Grayson is a seasoned professional athlete, and is candid about her journey in overcoming adversity both on the race course and in her personal life. This makes her an exceptional role model to many young athletes, as she is sure to put her mental and physical health first and encourage others to do the same. Grayson helps to change the narrative that “less is more” when it comes to fueling and recovery in sport. When I asked Grayson about this stereotype, she shared her own experiences with body image and what she’s seen in her own environment;

“I think a lot of people think that lean means fast, or skinny means fast or strong, and that isn’t exactly the case. There’s a whole psychological component to body image. Like in soccer you have different body ideals versus in running, so I’ve seen both sides of that. You have those two extremes.”

In our world today, many athletes begin to take their sport too seriously at a young age. With social media being so ubiquitous in our society today, it is easy to take in any sort of information, regardless of its truth or credibility, as fact. Many young athletes fall into the rabbit hole that is “thinner is faster,” and begin under-fueling and over-training very early on in their athletic careers. This habit is detrimental to the body and brain development, and often leads to chronic injury, eating disorders, and mental health issues down the road and into their later lives. Grayson spoke on this as well, as we discussed the influence of social media and how she’s learned to cope with those pressures;

“It’s been weird to figure out that I need to not listen to that and just figure out where I feel like I’m the strongest and fastest and best athlete I can be. I had to figure out for myself, not what other people are saying that the best athlete is. I guess it just takes a long time for one idea that’s so big to be rewritten.”

To hone in on one disorder specifically, anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness and unfortunately, is very difficult to recover from. It is very common in the running world, both recreationally and competitively. To make matters worse, the signs of eating disorders often fly under the radar as the athlete is perceived to be eating “healthy” and taking care of themselves. Grayson manages to cover all of these topics in depth, advocating for balance and self-love as a key part of an athletes self-care regime. She practices what she preaches in her training and day to day life, showing us all the importance of putting the person before the athlete. The biggest learning curve for Grayson has been learning to listen to her own body and not conform to the pressures of society around her.

Through her social media, Grayson promotes mental health awareness, environmental sustainability, and offers training tips; all of which promote health in sport! Everything she does has purpose, and supports her mission. She never advocates for something that she doesn’t genuinely care about, and always ensures that her advertisements are carefully articulated and clear. Her training tips are simple and aid in overall strength and performance, and are all exercises that can be done at home. She offers insight into both her personal and professional life, and helps her audience understand the importance of self care.

Each realm in running offers a multitude of life lessons, each so different from the other which is something so wonderful about the sport in general. According to Grayson, the biggest lesson that running has taught her is how to be alone. She has learned the importance of focusing on herself, and not letting the lives of others deter her from her own path. There is so much you can do within the sport and each aspect sparks creativity and curiosity. On social media, Grayson often discusses the psychological component to body image, as it is not only the way you perceive yourself, because there is more below the surface.

Grayson shares many personal stories and experiences that paint a clear picture of what she has overcome in lieu of what she has accomplished. Her account is organized and rational, as she focuses her content on mental health in sport and is consistent in that. Because Grayson herself has experienced struggles with mental health, she is knowledgeable in first hand information as well as being well-researched. When asked what Grayson’s priorities in sport are, she answered thoughtfully;

“In the end, longevity and my career are my main focuses. Having a successful career, to me, means competing at a high level for a long time, and I know I can’t do that if I’m not doing self care, eating right, and sleeping right.”

Grayson’s career deeply reflect her philosophy, whether it be emphasis on proper nutrition, or simply taking time to relax with family and friends! It is easy to see that she cares deeply about her cause and is a truly inspirational and humble individual. Many people can connect with Grayson because so many people experience struggles with mental health at one point or another. Grayson helps to remind us that we are never alone and that help is always available to those who need it, and in more ways than one! I am so grateful to Grayson for her time and kindness, and am so honored to have written this piece!