Send me a text sharing your thoughts or questions
This episode started as a conversation about an elite sport — but it quickly became something much bigger.
Former Team USA bobsledder Will Person shares what happened years after repeated head trauma left him battling confusion, depression, memory loss, and suicidal thoughts — long after his athletic career ended.
His story highlights a critical gap in how we understand mental health: many people struggling with depression, personality changes, or cognitive decline may be living with untreated brain injury — without knowing it.
With the Winter Olympics underway, this conversation offers an important behind-the-scenes look at what high-impact sports demand of the brain — and why athletes are often taught to push through symptoms that appear “minor” at the time.
In veterinary medicine and other caregiving professions, mental health struggles are often framed as emotional or psychological problems alone.
This episode invites a deeper question: What happens when physical brain injury, chronic stress, inflammation, or nervous system overload are part of the picture — but never evaluated?
In this episode, we explore:
- How repeated sub-concussive impacts can affect the brain years later
- Why CTE and brain injuries are often misdiagnosed or overlooked
- The hidden mental health toll of elite sports — and other head trauma that may be dismissed or forgotten
- Why “rest and return to play” is often not enough for concussions
- How hyperbaric oxygen therapy helped restore clarity, energy, and hope — and what this could mean for future brain-based mental health care
If you know someone who has experienced a concussion, head injury, or unexplained mental health changes — especially years later — please share this episode to help raise awareness.
Resources & ways to support Will’s work:
William’s GoFundMe is: https://gofund.me/93ff9c6e
- To help open a CTE Recovery Center for athletes and military veterans
Links to William’s Social Media: @onemanwithachamber (LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok)
If you or someone you love is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available. In the U.S., call or text 988. Outside the U.S., visit findahelpline.com.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, mental health, or professional advice. I am a certified health and life coach, not a licensed medical or mental health professional. Please consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to your physical or mental health routines. If you are experiencing a crisis, seek help from a qualified professional or contact emergency services.
Connect with me on your favorite social media channel: Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn!
To learn more about my approach and the programs and free resources available to support you, visit my website: www.lifeboost.today
I love to hear from you. You can always reach me at amelia@lifeboost.today.
