Shelina Zadorsky has the words “be free” tattooed on her body in her mother’s handwriting. “It’s about being able to go through life with a positive attitude and finding the good in situations,” says the 31-year-old centre-back.
In April 2023, the Canada international, who joined West Ham on loan from Tottenham (and helped her new side secure back-to-back victories in the Women’s Super League in January), opened up about navigating her physical and mental health while being a professional athlete.
Several Covid infections, combined with a demanding domestic and international schedule, left her run down and searching for answers.
Zadorsky, a native of Kitchener, Ontario, who has won 96 caps for Canada (including winning gold at the Tokyo Olympics), is now thriving on and off the pitch. She sees herself as a loving aunt, friend and teammate hoping to help West Ham climb the WSL table and the Canucks defend their gold in Paris this summer.
However, the fight for physical and mental freedom was far from easy. “[Last year] was tough for my health, I couldn’t seem to stay healthy … it got to a point where I just felt drained,” says Zadorsky, who faces Manchester United in the WSL on Sunday. “So I had to really work with Tottenham to figure out what was going wrong.”
In her April statement, Zadorsky revealed that, as an athlete, she felt under pressure to push her body to its limit, downplaying her health to keep performing at the highest level for club and country. Eventually, she reached a breaking point and took some time away from the sport to recover and reset.
After analysing blood tests, changing her diet and taking a break from football, Zadorsky found her footing just before last summer’s World Cup. “Joining back up with the national team and going to Australia just felt like home,” she says.
“It was a rough year, physically and mentally, but it was one of those moments where you realise why you love the game. Now I’m in a position where I’m just enjoying the game and life again. I’m taking it day by day, on and off the pitch.”
To get back on her feet, Zadorsky spent time resting, grabbing coffee, trying new restaurants, going to yoga and video‑calling her family. Stepping away from the “pressure and stress” of the football world was important for the defender, who credits her recovery to surrounding herself with family, friends and new experiences.
“It helped to get outside my comfort zone, even just the presence of other people. We all need each other,” she says.
Zadorsky’s story is a reminder that everyone, regardless of career, age or nationality, is susceptible to tough times. She believes that if you are going through a mental battle, acceptance and company are key – even if you don’t feel like it in the moment.
“It’s knowing that everyone has their own battles. But if you can, surround yourself with people who are uplifting and people who can listen,” she says. “Mental health is a big reminder that just being a good listener is a huge thing.”
Zadorsky also has physical reminders in the form of tattoos. Other than her “be free” ink, she has a leaf on her hand and a third eye on her finger that represent personal growth and being open to whatever life has in store.
When Zadorsky was navigating her struggles last year, she had the phrase “this too shall pass” permanently etched on her body. “It’s a little reminder, whether good or bad, that everything in life has flow and energy.
“It’s just being able to stay grounded in the tough times, not too high with the highs or too low with the lows … it’s being accepting of the challenges or changes that are part of life.”
A positive change in the sporting world is the growth of women’s football not just on the pitch, but from a fan and business perspective as well. Investment and ticket sales are at an all-time high and Zadorsky is excited to be part of the movement.
“Now, [women’s football] is on TV, more audiences are showing up, fanbases that are more dedicated and stadiums are selling out. All of those things are big and should be celebrated . It’s so cool seeing more opportunities and being part of the growth of women’s football.”
However, the dropout rate for girls playing football, or any sport in general, is still high. Zadorsky thinks the challenge will be keeping girls in sport while showing them that opportunities and personal development can come from it as well.
“Sporting environments really help build confidence, teamwork skills and leadership skills, which women can use outside of sport,” she says. “The sky’s the limit for women’s football.”
