The High Performance Podcast Bradley Wiggins: The Dark Truth I Carried Through My Cycling Career & Finding New Purpose
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Dec 2, 2024 In this engaging conversation, legendary cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins shares his journey from triumph to turmoil. He discusses the deep emotional struggles tied to his childhood, particularly his relationship with his father. Wiggins opens up about the mental challenges elite athletes face post-victory, and how cycling became a healing outlet for his trauma. He emphasizes the importance of nurturing self-worth in fatherhood and explores the complexities of trust within the cycling community, revealing lessons on personal growth and resilience.
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Son's Intervention
- Bradley Wiggins reveals a dark period a year prior, where his son intervened, recognizing his self-destructive behavior.
- This intervention prompted Wiggins to confront his past traumas and take responsibility for his life.
Trauma and Success
- Wiggins discusses the impact of childhood sexual abuse by his coach, a trauma he ignored for 30 years.
- He links this trauma to both his cycling success (as a distraction) and later resentment towards the sport.
Complex Father Figure
- Wiggins details his complex relationship with his father, a professional cyclist who abandoned him and was later murdered.
- His father's absence and legacy fueled his ambition while also causing resentment and emotional turmoil.