This CrossFit Athlete And Former Team Canada Snowboarder Is Using Her Platform To Teach Women That True Fitness Starts With Strong Mental Health
Looking at Natalie Allport online, you may think that she is a superwoman. After all, Natalie is a former Canadian team and world tour snowboarder, a competitive CrossFit athlete, and a consistent content creator.
But Natalie is not immune to mental health struggles. And after gaining a massive following online, she decided to use her platform for athlete mental health advocacy.
On her TikTok account @NatalieAllport, she regularly discusses how sports and mental health need to go hand in hand.
“Six years ago, I was really struggling with anxiety,” Natalie said in one TikTok last week before breaking down some of the habits that help calm her psyche– including journaling, therapy, being proactive, and trying to enjoy the journey rather than the destination.
“I don’t always feel like doing the things I know will help, but I always feel better for doing them,” she added.
Natalie also launched her own podcast entitled ALL IN, in which she features everyone from Olympians and pro athletes to coaches and mental health experts who help break down the mindsets and mental health habits that athletes need to succeed.
Most recently, Natalie featured Tyree Washington– a world-champion sprinter and NFL defensive lineman– on her podcast. Tyree had to battle extreme asthma, come face-to-face with gang violence, and compete against opponents using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) in order to reach his goals.
Together, Natalie and Tyree discussed how he used a growth mindset to persevere and claim his legacy in the face of such adversity.
TikTok; pictured above is Natalie in one of her videos
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And finally, Natalie is a female– a fact that should be insignificant but, nonetheless, severely impacts the perception of her participation in pro sports. And recently, she opened up about battling the traditional view of women in sports in her very own family.
“My Abuela (grandma) was very traditional and believed that girls should not be strong and athletic,” Natalie wrote in one TikTok.
But, Natalie did not give up on her passion and continued working to prove everyone wrong. Then, one day, her Abuela showed up at the gym to watch her train. And afterward, Natalie even began spotting her Abuela in the crowd at competitions.
“[My Abuela] was diagnosed with dementia this year. We stay connected together, training every day– mostly by Facetime,” Natalie revealed.
She also shared how her Abuela is now her biggest fan and supporter.
“I am so proud of her. She always wears my competition shirts when she trains, and it makes my heart so happy.”
This TikTok alone garnered over 2.1 million views, gained nearly three hundred and thirty thousand likes, and spurred countless comments. There, TikTok users from around the world commended Natalie for changing the expectations for women everywhere.
“CRUSHING generational norms! Way to redefine what ‘strong’ looks like in your family,” wrote one commenter.
“This is actually so sweet. I’m so glad you and your Abuela have managed to get past gender expectations and train together!” said another commenter.
So, while there is definitely no shortage of female health gurus and athletes online nowadays, Natalie’s approach to fitness is a bit different. She doesn’t just post “what I eat in a day” videos or her workout splits.
Instead, Natalie is helping educate women on how to heal their insides– whether that be generational wounds or mental health struggles– in order to become mentally fit. Then, and only then, can athletes truly shine on the field, court, or gym floor.
To learn more about Natalie’s journey to becoming a pro athlete, how she maintains her mental health, or what she has in store for the rest of this year, you can visit her TikTok account linked here.
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