Cory Richards on Climbing Mountains, Wrestling with Mental Health, Owning Up to His Past
Dec 23, 2024
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Cory Richards, an adventurer and photographer whose work shines in National Geographic, opens up about his past and mental health struggles in his memoir, The Color of Everything. He shares gripping tales from climbing the world's highest peaks while grappling with childhood violence and a bipolar diagnosis. Cory reflects on the dark sides of fame, the importance of accountability for past misdeeds, and the role of photography as a healing tool. His story is a remarkable journey of personal growth and the quest for connection amidst chaos.
Cory Richards discusses how his childhood trauma and complicated family dynamics led to a lifelong struggle with mental health and identity.
Through his experience with climbing and subsequent self-reflection, Richards highlights the importance of accountability and dialogue about personal growth in overcoming past mistakes.
Deep dives
Childhood Dynamics and Violence
Corey Richards reflects on the complexities of his childhood, characterized by violence and complicated family dynamics with his brother. Initially enjoying a happy upbringing, the relationship devolved into physical confrontations that left lasting emotional trauma. Richards acknowledges that this violence filled a deep need for attention and connection, creating a cycle where conflict equated to a feeling of care amidst perceived neglect. Through introspection and the writing of his memoir, he came to understand his role in this dysfunctional dynamic and gained a reverent appreciation for his brother as a teacher in his life.
The Impact of Bipolar Disorder
Richards discusses his diagnosis of bipolar II at the age of 14, a label that initially did not resonate with him and came to symbolize a feeling of brokenness rather than understanding. Over time, he grappled with the implications of this diagnosis and how it shaped his behavior, often exploiting it as an excuse for actions that lacked accountability. He describes the high periods of hypomania as exhilarating yet accompanied by racing thoughts that led to a desire to escape his mind, which he later addressed through climbing and photography. These activities served as temporary distractions from his inner turmoil, though he eventually recognized they were maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Climbing and the Search for Internal Peace
Climbing became a significant part of Richards' identity, offering not only an avenue for self-expression but also a temporary reprieve from emotional chaos. He rediscovered the sport after overcoming homelessness and psychiatric treatment, finding it provided a stable anchor and sense of purpose despite its inherent risks. The adrenaline of extreme climbing often forced him into a focused mental state that momentarily silenced his inner chaos, allowing him to confront his fears and trauma. After his retirement from professional climbing, Richards expresses a desire to return to the mountains, eager to explore how his new perspective on life can alter his experience of the sport.
Accountability and Personal Growth
Richards candidly shares a moment of accountability tied to a past incident of inappropriate behavior while working with National Geographic, which he views through the lens of entitlement and cultural patriarchal norms. The revelation of his actions prompted deep reflection and a commitment to understanding his patterns, including the anger and defensiveness that surfaced during the process. He has since engaged in extensive self-examination, delving into his relationships with women influenced by patriarchal thinking. By articulating his journey of growth and education on the subject, he aims to foster dialogue about accountability and change within himself and society.
Writing is not what Cory Richards is best known for. No, that would be feats like being the first American to climb one of the 14 peaks in the world measuring over 8000 meters. He’s also known for his photography, which includes National Geographic covers. But Cory’s new book, The Color of Everything: A Journey to Quiet the Chaos Within, isn’t just about his accomplishments, it’s about his struggles too. He tells us about the violence in his home growing up, his bipolar II diagnosis and depression, and about cheating on his wife and being held accountable for inappropriate behavior.
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