Challenging the Champion Narrative: Dr Amy Izycky

Everyone knows the mainstream narrative around elite athletes – that they are superhumans capable of achieving the truly incredible. True in many ways – but perhaps not the whole story. What if - in many cases - the drive required to become the best in the world comes from a place of internal disquiet? Dr Amy Izycky is a clinical psychologist and psychodynamic psychotherapist with a major interest in sport and author of the paradigm shifting book Skewed To The Right – Sport, Mental Health and Vulnerability. This episode starts with a premise - that we all need a loving gaze from our parents or caregivers as babies and children. Without it we may internalise a belief that there is 'something missing' - which leads us on a search to fill that void by finding it in the outside world - an unsustainable pursuit. That may be in a relationship, a car, a promotion... or an Olympic gold medal. In this epiosde we also talk about changing the narrative around mental health from 'It's okay not to be okay' - true of course - to 'It's okay to do the work to be ok' *** Follow me: on instagram https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/ on twitter https://twitter.com/simonmundie And for the 'Mundie on Monday' newsletter - featuring three of the best Life Lessons from three years and more than 150 of these conversations - head to simonmundie.com And please do share this episode with anyone who may benefit, and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts *** Finally a shoutout to my sponsors whose support enables me to put out weekly episodes Whether you are anxious, stressed, struggling to focus or sleep – there’s something for everyone in Pure Sport CBD's brilliant range of oils, capsules, balms and nootropics. Puresport CBD products are triple lab tested – and trusted by many of the world’s top athletes for a reason. You can get 20% off all their products using the code LIFE20 at checkout - just head to puresportcbd.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices