Dr. Veronica Ivy
Episode description
Episode 25 of The Mental Game features Dr. Veronica Ivy, world-champion cyclist, professor of philosophy and activist for human rights.
In 2018, Ivy became the first transgender world champion in track cycling, then won another title the next year. Her athletic feats, however, have spawned vitriol from critics who claim that, as a transgender woman, she has no right to compete in women’s sports. Numerous death threats have been issued against Ivy.
Ivy isn’t just a champion athlete, but she’s a world-leading expert on athletes’ rights, advising nearly every level of athletic organization, including the International Olympic Committee.
On the podcast, Ivy dives into:
- The therapeutic methods that have taught her to cope with hate and death threats
- Why transphobia may have kept her from vying for the Olympics
- How being an expert in psychology and philosophy helps — and hurts — her mental health
- What it’s like to compete when some think you don’t belong
Warning: This episode contains explicit language (but with good reason).
Enjoy and be well.
The Mental Game podcast is produced by Sam Brief and music is courtesy of David Brief and Channel J. You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, TuneIn and Stitcher.