When the Medals Stop: Losing Your Identity and Finding Yourself Again | David Gillick

What happens when the one thing that gave you identity, purpose and self-worth suddenly disappears?Brian sits down with former European champion, Olympian and broadcaster David Gillick for an honest conversation about life after elite sport, panic attacks, male mental health and learning to ask for help.When David retired, he lost far more than competition. His routine, teammates, income and sense of self were suddenly gone. Winning Celebrity MasterChef created the appearance of a successful new beginning, but privately he was struggling with anger, isolation and the question: “Who am I now?”David shares how Sunday panic attacks finally forced him to seek support, why it took time to find the right counsellor and what Hell Week later revealed about his self-worth.They also explore how David learned to love running again and why his own setbacks now help him meet athletes with empathy during the most vulnerable moments of their careers.This is a conversation about losing the person you thought you had to be, finding the courage to ask for help and building an identity beyond achievement.Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and subscribe for more conversations on transformation, recovery, resilience, and human potential. Connect with David on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠Check out David's book: The RaceConnect with Brian⬛ Get ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FREE access to Brian’s online courses⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⬛ Buy Brian’s memoir, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bonus Time⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⬛ Follow Brian on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⬛ Follow Brian on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sponsors: Founded by the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fabulous Pharmacist, Laura Dowling⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, I'm delighted to partner with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fabuwellness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a company dedicated to empowering your health with science-led, nature-inspired supplements. We're also delighted to continue our partnership with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Kyne Foundation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, with whom I'm closely collaborating on a special project that aligns with our joint mission to nurture youth well-being in Ireland.Chapters 00:00 Introduction00:35 Losing the identity that elite sport provided07:20 Grieving a career and becoming trapped in the past13:10 Injury, retirement and letting go of the Olympic dream17:10 How MasterChef temporarily filled the void24:10 Panic attacks and the moment David knew he needed help28:30 Counselling, acceptance and finding the right support33:00 Bringing empathy to athletes’ most vulnerable moments39:15 Redefining success beyond achievement41:00 Entering Hell Week to test his strength again48:00 The question “Who are you?” and a lesson in self-worth54:20 Rediscovering running, peace and purpose1:05:50 Parenthood, presence and protecting what matters1:11:30 The Race, gratitude and making peace with the pastKeywords: Identity, life after sport, male mental health, panic attacks, anxiety, counselling, vulnerability, self-worth, career transition, grief, high performance, parenthood, presence, resilience and personal growth