Such a sad news about Thorpie and I wish him all the best in his fight against his inner demons.As someone who has been battling the same thing for a long time I can understand a lot of what he is going through.
It is hard. Very,very hard!
Thorpedo was a great swimmer. Best of luck to him.
It must be so hard to come down after being such a great champion. I hope he can battle though it.
That really is sad, and hope he figures out how to deal with it. Greatly enjoyed watching and listening to his commentary at the London Olympics, seems to be a very nice and decent bloke on top of being a great swimmer.
How sad. It does sound like he’s getting some help though. So that’s good. Best wishes to him.
Isn’t this common among retired professional athletes?
Such a sad news about Thorpie and I wish him all the best in his fight against his inner demons.As someone who has been battling the same thing for a long time I can understand a lot of what he is going through.
It is hard. Very,very hard!
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/...i2flhh-1226814426052
nick… with the success that he had in the past… it most have been very hard to transition to a more ‘‘normal life’’ And training at the level he has in the past…that is not healthy to start with…
make me think of a funny video i made years ago about the subject. i can remember some rough patch at time when training full time…
That is sad, always liked him. Here’s hoping for the best.
Isn’t this common among retired professional athletes?
Yep,it happens a lot and suicide is quite common.
This is THE news story of the day down here in Oz and all kinds of swimmers are coming out of the woodwork talking about Thorpie and what he has been going through for the last few years.Thankfully over the last couple of years more and more high profile athletes across all sports have become very vocal about their own experiences with depression and alcohol/drug abuse post retirement.Having someone like Thorpie go through this so publicly now,while awful for him,is a very positive move towards gaining acceptance in the wider community of depression as a real affliction.
Hopefully those around him will do all they can to support him as he clearly needs it.
He is one of countless that battle depression. He’s no more or less special. It’s a tough deal no matter who you are. At least he (seemingly) has resources.
Isn’t this common among retired professional athletes?
It’s an incredibly common thing for everyone. The stats on depression are stunning.
Such a sad news about Thorpie and I wish him all the best in his fight against his inner demons.As someone who has been battling the same thing for a long time I can understand a lot of what he is going through.
It is hard. Very,very hard!
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/...i2flhh-1226814426052
nick… with the success that he had in the past… it most have been very hard to transition to a more ‘‘normal life’’ And training at the level he has in the past…that is not healthy to start with…
make me think of a funny video i made years ago about the subject. i can remember some rough patch at time when training full time…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbUGKFx_VzI]
MacDonalds therapy,I love it…
I think a lot of people go through some sort of issues when they put everything they can into training for their chosen sport.Just look at Tinley,Peter Reid and Chucky V just to throw three names from our sport out there.I know a lot of people in the Ultra-world who are absolute basket cases,myself included…You area lucky bugger though as you have fallen on your feet with a huge support network and a family to ground you and help you move on…I often wonder if Marco Pantani had the same,would he still be around?
He is one of countless that battle depression. He’s no more or less special. It’s a tough deal no matter who you are. At least he (seemingly) has resources.
Thank’s for stating the bloody obvious.I mean,seriously WTF!
The difference with Thorpie is that it is major news and helps bring a focus to an affliction that is so often misunderstood and dismissed by the population in general.
You are seriously welcome for the bloody obvious. Depression has plenty of attention given the millions on depression meds. It’s very serious and very widespread; I agree.
He is one of countless that battle depression. He’s no more or less special. It’s a tough deal no matter who you are. At least he (seemingly) has resources.
Thank’s for stating the bloody obvious.I mean,seriously WTF!
The difference with Thorpie is that it is major news and helps bring a focus to an affliction that is so often misunderstood and dismissed by the population in general.
I know of several in this sport that are in the same boat, some are dead now like Marc Supernaut. As someone said, it is not confined to pro athletes, but perhaps it is just one more straw in the camels back that breaks a person. I know i struggled a bit when i retired, but nothing that i could not handle. Just figured everyone that has to change careers mid life probably goes through the same thing.
Hope he comes out the other side, still trying to help a few of my friends who have been in his place for a long, long time…
Isn’t this common among retired professional athletes?
It’s an incredibly common thing for everyone. The stats on depression are …
… Depressing
Isn’t this common among retired professional athletes?
Yep,it happens a lot and suicide is quite common.
This is THE news story of the day down here in Oz and all kinds of swimmers are coming out of the woodwork talking about Thorpie and what he has been going through for the last few years.Thankfully over the last couple of years more and more high profile athletes across all sports have become very vocal about their own experiences with depression and alcohol/drug abuse post retirement.Having someone like Thorpie go through this so publicly now,while awful for him,is a very positive move towards gaining acceptance in the wider community of depression as a real affliction.
Hopefully those around him will do all they can to support him as he clearly needs it.
Well put!
I’ve read his autobiography and highly recommend it. His public battles whilst horrible for him, can only be of benefit to other people in the same situation. It shows that depression etc. affect all people from all different backgrounds, it is not success-dependant.
That was my first thought : Does his past success help or hurt him in his current battles? Thanks for the link OP, I think I’ll get his book.
In Canada, Bell does a one day “let’s talk” campaign. They donate 5 cents for each tweet and text message and it goes to mental health organizations.
Yesterday was the day and they raised $M5.4
There was a special on TV last night, interviewing celebrities that battled depression
Six time Olympic medalist Clara Hughes was one of the main spokespeople. She battled depression as did rower Silken Laumann, several star hockey players and many other athletes.
Very touching stories.
Thank’s for stating the bloody obvious.I mean,seriously WTF!
The difference with Thorpie is that it is major news and helps bring a focus to an affliction that is so often misunderstood and dismissed by the population in general.
I think the only people that dismiss depression are those that have never dealt with it or have never seen someone else struggle through it. Anybody that has gone through it or has seen it affect someone they know or love knows how awful it can be.
I hope he, and all others having to deal with a problem like this, are able to find help and find joy in something in their lives.