“It’s Time to Put Me First”: Haley Adams Will Sit Out the 2023 CrossFit Games Season
At just 22 years old, Haley Adams has become one of the most popular athletes in the CrossFit space and one of the favorites heading into the 2023 CrossFit Games season. But on Feb. 16, 2023, Adams took to her Instagram page to announce that she will skip this season, citing struggles with an eating disorder and her overall mental health.
“I’ve suffered in silence, and because of the pressure to make everything seem ‘okay,’ I kept a smile on my face,” Adams wrote. “It’s been a hard few years, when every single day is a battle.”
She then addressed her decision to step away:
“But now, it’s time to put me first,” she wrote. “I will be stepping away from competing this season, and as sad and difficult as it is to make this decision, I’m equally excited to find who Haley is again. I will be using this time to work on myself, as much mentally as physically, so that I’m no longer holding myself back.”
[Related: 20 Women Athletes Eyeing Returns or Debuts for the 2023 CrossFit Games]
Haley Adams’ CrossFit Career
Adams has been competing at the CrossFit Games since 2016, beginning with three years in the teen division. She qualified for the women’s division at the Games in 2019 at 18 years old and finished sixth in her debut.
She followed that breakout season with a fourth-place finish in 2020, just missing out on a podium spot. The 2021 season saw her finish in fifth place, followed by a ninth-place finish in 2022.
Since the 2019 season, she has been living and training in Cookeville, TN, under the CrossFit Mayhem Athlete camp.
What’s Next for Haley Adams?
In Adams’ post, she remained both optimistic and positive about her future both as an athlete and person.
“This isn’t just a new chapter, it’s a new book,” she wrote. “The 2024 comeback is going to be big.”
[Related: Who Can Win the 2023 CrossFit Games With Tia-Clair Toomey Out?]
She ended her post with advice for anyone going through similar struggles: “If you are struggling, know that the most courageous thing you can ever do is ask for help.”
If you or anyone you know are struggling with disordered eating habits, the National Eating Disorders Helpline is available at various hours throughout the week online and by texting or dialing (800) 931-2237.
If you or anyone you know are struggling with depression or thoughts of suicide, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day by dialing 988 as well as online.
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Featured Image: @haleyadamssss on Instagram