Olympic figure skater Michael Martinez says it's OK to take a break when you know your body can't take it anymore

Seeing athletes' strength, grace, and poise during competitions, you wouldn't think they go through pain, difficult days, and sacrifices but in reality they do.

Naomi Osaka recently made headlines for withdrawing from the French Open and Wimbledon to prioritize her mental health, while Olympic gymnast Simone Biles withdrew from the team competition in Tokyo due to a medical issue.

Filipino Olympian Michael Martinez is familiar with these struggles that athletes go through, as he also experienced the same.

In an episode of the "Share Ko Lang" podcast, the 24-year-old figure skater said it's OK to take a break when you know your body can't take it anymore.

Even without a competition, Michael would train from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on ice and train off ice until 8 p.m. every single day.

"There are times [really that the] body couldn't take it anymore and couldn't wake up and I just have to message my coach and I have to skip training," he said.

"It hurts [because] you want to skate, you want to train, you want to get better, and everybody's training everyday so it hurts me that I won't be able to skate," he added.

Despite hating the fact that he couldn't go to practice, Michael said it is important to listen to your body.

"If you push too much, you're gonna injure yourself and the more you're not gonna be able to skate," he said.

After competing in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, took a break from the sport for almost two years.

"I guess from everyone's view, [it's like] it's all rainbows and butterflies and nothing's behind it [but] you know I was dealing with a lot of things personally and just the sport itself," he said.

Michael is eyeing another Olympic stint as he is currently training for the 2021 Nebelhorn Trophy, a qualifying tournament for the 2022 Beijing Winter Games.

He made his Olympic debut in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia and also participated in the Winter Youth Olympics in 2012.

—Jannielyn Bigtas/MGP, GMA News