Former world champion cyclist Bradley Wiggins discusses the severe mental health issues he faces, a result of childhood sexual abuse and a difficult family history. He is now seeking therapy, influenced by encouragement from Lance Armstrong.
"But I was in a very dark place in a very dark room for many days, and it was a hotel, and my son actually was the one who kind of intervened and made me realise, recognise theI was put in solitary, stripped & ate dog food on TV's most extreme reality show
"He's a good man. He did what he did, that's not to condone what he did. He's got a heart under there somewhere.”Bradley first began opening up two years ago about the mental torment that has plagued his life and previously led him to drink - stemming largely from his troubled childhood and sexual abuse by a former coach.
During his illustrious career as one of the country's most popular sports stars he bagged eight Olympics medals including five golds - and in 2012 became the first Brit to win the Tour de France. Bradley initially thought opening up about his struggles would help him cope but he now admits it had the opposite effect.
"Win an Olympic gold, stand on the rostrum, certainly at Hampton Court having won the Tour de France ten days before that, and walking away from that rostrum as Olympic champion, and thinking 'What do I do now?' And having to deal with that,” he says. "And I was trying to make the point in the worst possible way, off my head, that this means nothing, it's just junk.
"I wouldn't change a thing. I wouldn't change any of my journey up to this point, because it's what we do with the things that happen to us that shape us, that make us the people we are. I think my best years are yet to come."I think greatness stems from adversity and a dark place. I've met a lot of hyper-successful people and they all tend to be a bit f***ed up or had a f***ed up past.
He said: "My dad left when I was one and a half. I met him when I was 19, he walked back into my life because I was successful.
Bradley Wiggins Mental Health Childhood Abuse Lance Armstrong Sports
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