The Rich Roll Podcast The Weight of Gold: Peter Carlisle On The Olympian Mental Health Crisis, Michael Phelps, Simone Biles & The Hidden Cost of Greatness
56 snips
Jul 28, 2025 
Peter Carlisle, a veteran sports agent and managing partner at Octagon, represents Olympic legends like Michael Phelps and Simone Biles. He dives into the harsh realities of mental health challenges faced by Olympians post-competition, highlighting that 90% struggle to adapt. Carlisle shares insights on the damaging effects of hyper-specialization in youth sports and the hidden costs of pursuing greatness. He also recounts nearly passing on signing Phelps, reflecting on the pressure and stigma surrounding athletes' mental health.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Post-Olympic Blues Explained
- Athletes face extreme difficulty transitioning from Olympic fame to normal life due to identity and recognition shifts.
- This transition often leads to a mental health crisis known as the post-Olympic blues affecting most athletes.
Teach Process Over Results
- Prioritize teaching kids the process over results to foster resilience in sports.
- Encourage understanding sports as self-improvement, not just competitive success.
Parents Must Navigate Youth Sports
- Parents should be proactive in guiding kids through competitive sports' system.
- Intervene early to preserve diverse sport experiences and protect youth mental health.
