Olympic Legend Sir Bradley Wiggins Reveals Traumatic Childhood Experiences and Abuse

For the third episode of Season 4, host Smithy is joined by Sir Bradley Wiggins, the renowned British cyclist celebrated for world titles, eight Olympic medals, and a historic Tour de France victory.

Following our enlightening episode with Emmett J. Scanlan in Chester, our journey now takes us to Herne Hill Velodrome in South London, a place profoundly meaningful to Sir Bradley—where his love for cycling began.

Despite his incredible achievements on the track, Sir Bradley opens up about his personal struggles, including the challenges of his mental health. He recounts how cycling was both his escape and passion from a young age.

Sir Bradley candidly shares his darkest moments, including his experience of being sexually abused by his first coach at 13 and the deep-seated issues of self-worth that followed. He reflects on how these experiences impacted his life and mental health, emphasising the importance of addressing such traumas openly to help others who might be silently suffering.

He also delves into the complex relationship with his father, Gary Wiggins, whose absence and legacy profoundly influenced his path in cycling. Sir Bradley explains how his father’s shadow both drove and haunted him, shaping his pursuit of success and leaving a lasting impact on his mental health and self-identity.

In his professional life, Sir Bradley faced significant obstacles, including periods of intense self-doubt and the immense pressure of public expectation. Yet, his relentless determination and love for cycling propelled him forward. He speaks about pivotal moments in his career, highlighting how embracing every opportunity, no matter the scale, contributed to his enduring success.

Join us as we go #UnderTheSurface with Sir Bradley Wiggins.

00:00 Introduction
04:00 Early Life, Absent Father and Cycling Beginnings
17:40 Reconnecting with His Father, His Passing, and What It Taught Him As A Father
25:40 Self-Worth, Identity Struggles, and Drive For Cycling
39:49 Childhood Sexual Abuse
48:10 Healing, Personal Growth, and Current Perspective
1:02:00 Concluding Thoughts and Future Outlook