Turning Trauma into Olympic Glory w/ Alexi Pappas | Soul Boom | Ep 24

Olympian Alexi Pappas opens up to Rainn Wilson about how childhood trauma shaped her journey to the 2016 Olympics and beyond. She explores the complex relationship between emotional pain, perfectionism, and achievement, discussing post-Olympic depression and the unexpected pressures that follow reaching the pinnacle of success. Alexi shares personal stories about her mother's suicide and the role of sports in her healing, while offering insights into how visualization and resilience can help us navigate life’s challenges. This conversation dives deep into the human experience, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in mental health, high performance, and overcoming adversity.

Alexi Pappas is a Greek-American Olympian, filmmaker, actor, and writer. She competed in the 10,000 meters for Greece at the 2016 Olympics, setting a national record. Beyond athletics, she co-wrote, co-directed, and starred in the indie film Tracktown, and co-wrote Olympic Dreams. Pappas is also the author of the memoir Bravey, where she shares her journey in sports and her experiences with mental health, advocating for self-care and resilience in high-pressure environments.

Subscribe to Alexi's new podcast! ‪@Mentor_Buffet‬

More Alexi Pappas:   / alexipappas  

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In this episode, we discuss:
00:00 Trauma as an Engine
03:16 Olympic Dreams Fueled by Loss
05:09 Nerves, Preparation, and Muscle Memory
10:10 Perfectionism and Self-Forgiveness
13:00 Impact of Mother's Suicide on Identity
19:00 Harnessing Trauma for Success
28:10 Resilience and the Role of Losing
39:40 Post-Olympic Depression and Recovery
57:00 The Role of Mentorship and Moving Forward

Executive Produced by: Kartik Chainani
  / kartikchainani  

Executive Produced by: Ford Bowers, Samah Tokmachi
Companion Arts

Production Supervisor: Mike O'Brien
Voicing Change Media

Theme Music by: Marcos Moscat

Channel Branding Artwork and Graphics:
Jack Sjogren
  / sjogrenjack  

Intro Animation by:
Sophie Ansari
  / scribbledbysophie  

Set Design:
Ashley Hasenyager - Designer
Casey Hallenbeck - Set Decorator
Ray Maxwell - Construction Coordinator
Dino Bortoli - General Foreman

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