Ski jumper Anna Hollandt returns after a mental-health break

German ski jumper Anna Hollandt, formerly known as Anna Rupprecht, has returned to competition after ending last season early because of mental health challenges.

Hollandt, who competes for SC Degenfeld and is a two-time team world champion, explained on social media in April that she needed distance from elite sport to recover. She feared negative reactions but received only support, which she says helped immensely.

Working with a mental coach, Hollandt focused on giving herself time and space: “You can’t heal the soul with physiotherapy; it needs time until something clicks in your head.” She took three months completely off training and spent time away from sport, including with friends and their newborns. Gradually she reintroduced gentle activity like Pilates and cycling and noticed the competitive spark remained.

Back on the hill, she immediately felt that she had missed ski jumping: “The flame is still burning. A huge weight fell off my shoulders.” Importantly, she reframed her self-image, emphasizing she is more than just “Anna the ski jumper.”

Looking ahead, Hollandt is approaching the new season with a light and positive mindset. What results the season will bring is open, but she has already proven to herself that her identity and wellbeing come first.