Malika Andrews has barely had a moment to herself since the NBA playoffs kicked off seven weeks ago.
With a grueling schedule of 32 consecutive days on camera for ESPN’s NBA Countdown and NBA Today, she quips during a Zoom interview from her L.A. home, “I think my eye is twitching.”
However, when she manages to find a brief respite, Andrews retreats to a nearby riding stable. “It’s where I can exhale when things feel overwhelming,” she shares with PEOPLE in the latest issue.
At the stable, she rides Val, a 19-year-old chestnut warmblood known for his spirited demeanor. “He’s tricky. He’s a big mover and he’s got a lot of opinions. You need to be strong to ride him,” says the 29-year-old journalist.
Andrews’ resilience isn’t just evident in her riding; it’s been a hallmark of her career.
Since starting at ESPN at age 22 in 2018, she has faced intense pressures, including a 107-day stint in the NBA’s COVID bubble as a reporter in 2020. She later made history in 2022 as the first woman to host the NBA Draft, a role she is set to reprise.
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Despite her poised appearance, Andrews confronts significant personal challenges. She openly discusses her struggles with mental illness, which began in her teens and led to more than three years away from her family. “You don’t know what somebody’s going through… I was told it doesn’t look like me. But it is me,” she explains, hoping her openness fosters greater compassion for those battling mental health issues.
Her journey through various treatment programs was fraught with difficulties, including learning harmful behaviors and feeling misunderstood in facilities ill-equipped to handle her complex needs. These experiences left lasting impressions, but also a determination to manage her ongoing struggles with support from her family and therapy.
Andrews’ connection to horses has been a consistent source of joy and healing. From riding during her difficult teen years to reconnecting with equestrian pursuits through a thoughtful gift from her fiancé, Dave McMenamin, horses remain her “bright spot.”
Through her personal and professional challenges, Andrews has maintained a commitment to journalism and storytelling, which she found purposeful during her college years as a newspaper editor.
Despite relapses and ongoing battles with an eating disorder, she continues to prioritize self-care and maintains a deep appreciation for the support of her loved ones.
Andrews’ story is a poignant reminder of the enduring struggles many face with mental health, emphasizing that the journey is continuous and requires compassion, understanding, and persistent effort.
