The High Performance Podcast

Max Whitlock: Why even the most successful winners can struggle (E158)

Oct 31, 2022

Max Whitlock, a six-time Olympic winning gymnast and Britain's first gold medalist in artistic gymnastics, opens up about the mental health struggles faced by elite athletes. He candidly discusses his fears of failure, battles with depression, and the pressures of competition. Max emphasizes the importance of setting new goals and the role of routine in both success and self-management. He also shares techniques for overcoming negative thoughts, highlighting the ongoing quest for purpose and mental well-being beyond the podium.

01:13:18

Creator website

Episode guests

Max Whitlock

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

Beyond the Podium: The Mental Struggles of Elite Athletes

25min

Rediscovering Purpose: The Journey of Ikigai

10min

Mindset Shift: Playing to Win

23min

Reflections on Success and Personal Growth

6min

Navigating Marginal Gains and Personal Growth

3min

From Sales to Stand-Up: Embracing Change

5min

Max Whitlock is a six-time Olympic winning artistic gymnast. He became Britain's first ever Olympic gold medalist in artistic gymnastics in the 2016 Olympics. In this episode they dive deep into mental health, Max’s fear of failure and the pressures he faced as an Olympic gymnast. Max speaks openly about his battle with depression, how he struggled when gymnastics was removed from his life and how important self improvement and setting new goals has been in his recovery.

He shares the techniques he uses to challenge negative thought patterns and how he gets himself motivated. They discuss the importance of routine and structure, but how this can also be your downfall…

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