Olympian Libby Trickett on R U OK? and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone

hello • 20 January 2017

Ambassador Libby Trickett is diving in to make a difference for R U OK? at the Port to Pub, Australia’s longest open water swim. She’ll be completing the 25km crossing from Leighton Beach to Rottnest Island to inspire more life-changing conversations. We spoke with Libby about what it takes to push yourself out of your comfort zone, how to garner support when you’re struggling and why she became an R U OK? Ambassador.

Q. Can you tell us a little about why being an ambassador for R U OK? is something you’re passionate about?

A. Maintaining good mental health and checking in with mates is so important. Tough times effect everyone at some point and you probably already know someone who has struggled with life and needed support.

Checking in with our mates and loved ones is something we should all do regularly. It’s important to encourage people to get comfortable talking and opening up, because life is challenging. Everyone deserves to live a happy life!

As an R U OK? Ambassador it’s important to me to encourage people to reach out to mates who might be in a bad place and let them know they are not alone. If we are able to talk openly and honestly about our problems, it’s more likely our friends, loved ones, team mates and even neighbours, will seek help and feel more connected to the people in their lives who matter most.

Q. Your background is that of a sprinter not a long distance swimmer, but how do you prepare for a race mentally, long or short? What kind of focus do you need to complete your best swim?

A. I think it’s important to know what your goal is. From there, it’s a lot easier to work out what you need to do for your preparation. It’s a lot easier to commit the time you need to your goal and that means you’re able to maintain focus as well.

Q. When you were swimming competitively, what kind of support did you have in place when you were under the pump or struggling?

A. I was so lucky with the support that I had. This came from squad mates, family, friends and my hubby! Working towards a goal is so much more difficult when you don’t have a support network to cheer you on when things become challenging. So, make sure you tell people what you’re working towards and create your own little support crew!

Q. Do you have an example of a time in your swimming career when you mentally hit a wall and needed someone to ask if you were ok, and did that help you get back on track?

A. Without a doubt! This was a regular occurrence for me because training can be hard. Setting goals and trying to achieve that can be incredibly difficult so for me, it was really important to check in with my coach regularly to make sure I was staying motivated and focused. I also checked in with my hubby to help me vent the frustrations that inevitably come with physically pushing yourself to your limits.

Q. What quality do Olympic swimmers have that make them the best?

A. I think Olympic swimmers have to be incredibly focused and motivated. We don’t get to race that often and train anywhere between 4-6 months for one competition and in that competition I only race for 53 seconds. So we don’t get a lot of opportunities to perform, which is both incredibly exciting and also very intimidating. We can be pretty intense people but, for the most part, we are very lighthearted and generally have a pretty good sense of humour too! Though I am a little biased… haha!

Q. What training advice would you give to those swimming in Port to Pub?

A. I think for any kind of distance event whether it be on land or in the water, consistency is key. Regular training, staying in touch with the water as much as you possibly can and clocking up the k’s will put everyone in a very good position to achieve their goal of swimming the Port to Pub. I would also recommend joining a squad as opposed to doing it solo. If you join a squad, you’re more likely to get to training as you have someone making you accountable plus you get a built-in cheer squad and other people working towards their own swimming goals.

You can show your support for Libby and team R U OK? here: http://porttopub.gofundraise.com.au/

Caring for yourself and others following traumatic events

14 December 2025
The recent incident in Sydney has left many feeling distressed and overwhelmed, and you may notice the children in your life are struggling too. Below, you’ll find advice from mental health experts on caring for your own wellbeing, and providing meaningful support to others in the days and weeks ahead. Talking to children about traumatic events Children are likely to have seen and heard distressing information about this incident. Ongoing news coverage, images and discussion can intensify feelings of anxiety, sadness and anger. The Child Mind Institute has published a practical guide to help parents and carers talk with children about traumatic events. The guide offers practical age-specific advice and has been developed by experts in child psychology, you can access this guide here . Events involving violence or serious harm can be especially difficult for children to understand or discuss. The guide focuses on helping children feel safe, supported and reassured, and encourages parents, carers or guardians to: Provide comfort and reassurance, including physical affection Remain calm and measured when discussing the event Maintain regular routines to restore a sense of normality Encourage play, connection and time with others Share honest, age-appropriate information from trusted sources Limit children’s exposure to news, especially younger children Listen patiently and validate children’s feelings Recognise that fear, anger, sadness or guilt are all normal reactions Looking after yourself, and supporting others Rachel Clements, R U OK? Advisor, and Director of Psychological Services at Centre for Corporate Health, said strong emotional reactions are normal and healthy for people of all ages following public acts of violence, even among those not directly impacted. “Some reactions that are incredibly normal are concern, shock, horror, disbelief. When that wears off sometimes, people experience stronger feelings, sometimes anger, despair, sadness, anxiety or fear-based behaviour."  Ms Clements advised that connecting with friends, sporting clubs, or workplace networks, and simply asking ‘are you OK?’, can play a key role in supporting people experiencing distress. "This event will disrupt the nervous system. One of the most important things we can do is stay connected, talk to each other and lean into supportive conversations,” Ms Clements said. She suggested starting a genuine conversation by asking questions such as: 'it's been tough watching this information coming to light, how are you feeling about it?’ “Then, all you’ve got to do is listen with empathy, without judgment or interruption, and just allow someone to talk about their experience and how they are feeling. When it is the right time in the conversation, you can then gently guide someone towards supportive actions, like doing some gentle exercise, staying connected with friends and family, or maintaining regular routines.” Ms Clements emphasised the importance of checking in again to ensure people have continued support. If you notice someone’s distress is ongoing for several weeks and begins to affect their work or social life, professional help should be encouraged. If you or the children in your care are experiencing ongoing distress, consider speaking with a doctor or another trusted healthcare provider. Free and professional 24/7counselling services are available, find contact details here . If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 000. Ask R U OK? Any Day.

2025 with R U OK?

11 December 2025
This year, Australians continued to grow their confidence and capability to ask, 'are you OK?' any day of the year - reminding us how real connection and meaningful conversations can happen in the most ordinary, everyday moments. Across every age and stage of life, people helped normalise these important check-ins by looking out for one another, reducing stigma, and driving genuine change. Thanks to our supporters, awareness continues to expand in schools, workplaces, sporting clubs, and communities in every corner of Australia. Thank you to everyone who started conversations, and to everyone who supported the mission and work of R U OK?. Below is a short video which shares a glimpse of the activity made possible through collaboration. *Voice-over by former-CEO, Katherine Newton.

Connecting generations through conversation and storytelling

10 December 2025
From growing up on farms to a shared interest in history, Australians, young and old, are discovering just how much they have in common, and how storytelling can connect generations in unexpected ways. What’s bringing them together is 'Heart and Soul Story', a social enterprise that fosters intergenerational connections. Through its programs, young people and older generations come together in aged care homes and schools to share stories, build life skills, and prevent loneliness. At a recent session which encouraged everyone to Ask R U OK? Any Day, students visited an aged-care community with R U OK? Conversation Bingo cards, which feature prompts to spark humour, curiosity, and connection.
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