Olympic Swimmer Freya Anderson - 'people still don't understand what OCD is...'

Freya Anderson is a British swimmer and Olympic medallist. Freya's journey to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games was anything but smooth, as she faced significant challenges, including a battle with glandular fever that threatened her training and competition schedule.

As well as delving into Freya’s experiences as a swimmer at the Olympic Games, a significant part of our discussion focused on Freya's mental health journey, particularly her experiences with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). She explained the nature of OCD, how it manifests in her life, and the steps she has taken to manage it. Freya's openness about her struggles and the misconceptions surrounding OCD highlight the importance of raising awareness and understanding mental health issues.

Throughout the episode, Freya's resilience and determination shone through, as she shared how setbacks have fuelled her desire to come back stronger. She emphasised the value of support from her team and the importance of self-care and mental well-being in the high-pressure world of elite sports.

I left the episode feeling inspired by Freya's strength and commitment to her sport, and I am excited to see what the future holds for her as she prepares for the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028.

This episode is sponsored by Recovery from Joint Operations. Check out the website for more information:

https://recovery.jointoperations.co.uk