# Robin Orins Opens Up About His Mental Health Journey on World Mental Health Day
On October 10th, Robin Orins, a rising star cyclist with the Lotto Cycling Team, courageously shared his story in observance of World Mental Health Day. Just a few months ago, he vanished from social media, leaving fans and followers unaware of the struggles he was facing.
Orins, who signed his professional contract with Lotto at the end of 2023, had high expectations for the 2024 season after winning the U23 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and becoming the Belgian time trial champion. However, his success quickly descended into turmoil after an impactful performance at the World Championships in Zurich. “The lights just went out,” he confessed in a raw and honest blog post. “Physically and mentally, I was completely empty. While others were celebrating their off-season, I was having panic attacks and crying for hours, trying to find myself again. I was scared, even of myself.”
Determined to find his way back, Robin sought help from both psychologists and a psychiatrist. Through hard work and perseverance, he began to emerge from the depths of his struggles. By the end of July, he made his return to racing at the Tour de Wallonie and is now set to compete in Il Lombardia, the final monument of the cycling season.
Robin reflects on his difficult journey: “I took medication, and suddenly everything hit me ten times harder… But once I had one positive experience, I realized I could still feel something good. The more often it happened, the better I started to feel. That first short jog felt like a victory. The first ride back on the bike, I felt like a stranger in the world. But it became familiar again; I learned to live with my fears.”
In sharing his experiences, Robin hopes to inspire others facing similar struggles. “I was in my final year as a U23 rider; it was the year of ‘having to’. That pressure came from myself, not from others. I wanted to turn pro, so in my head, I had to live for it obsessively. I don’t think I’m the only one with that story. But today, I know that talking about it helps. And I hope that anyone going through a tough time can see, through my story, that they’re not alone.”
To watch the full video narrative created by Lotto Cycling Team, head over to their [Instagram page](https://www.instagram.com/p/DPn-c4HjFF5/).
Photo credit: Brecht Steenhouwer
