Podcast #75: Richard Whitehead MBE on mental health and 100 marathons
In the latest podcast, two-time Paralympic champion Richard Whitehead MBE discusses the impact of the sport on his mental health and his challenge of completing 100 career marathons.
He has set world records on the track and on the road, but many people remember Richard for his gold medals in the T42 200m at both the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
But the double amputee only entered the sprint events as the marathon was not an option at those Games. If you go back to 2004, he entered his very first marathon in New York without any notable running experience. 21 years later, the same event in the American city is approaching in November and he is aiming to have run the distance 100 times by then. He has already completed 10 this year, bringing the overall total to 90.
"The marathon was completely out of my comfort zone," Richard tells host Alex Seftel of that first attempt. "Thousands of miles away from home, putting myself in a vulnerable space, a lot of self-learning there. 2004 was probably the hardest race I have ever done."
In line with the Mental Health Awareness Week, Richard opens up about his own battles and calls for more work to be done in this space.
"When you have those golden moments, there needs to be a real package in place that looks after people. Not just for a year after the event or a year after you come off funding, that support needs to be there for life. Sports need to embrace the positivity of success, but also support people's challenging obstacles that sport does inevitably imprint on your DNA."
"I always say to athletes, young people, it's about you communicating that, let's talk, get help, get guidance, mentorship. No issue, no challenge, no obstacle is too small. It's really important that these things are addressed and highlighted with storytelling but also a toolkit that enables people to have access to that."
While Richard's 100 marathon challenge will be a great personal feat and enable him to leave a legacy, there is a full circle element to it that connects with mental health.
"Lots of people do 10 marathons and 20 marathons and 30 marathons. That's just a number. For me, it's about why...and then magnifying that as a concept that has a bigger purpose. The mission that this year is all about is the opportunity to connect with people."
"I've had such a fantastic engagement with fans and spectators and volunteers over the last 20 years. I wanted something that gave back. I'm trying to get legacy projects set up in schools that promote the importance of resourcefulness and celebrating being different through this challenge."
He also offers advice to others who may be struggling with mental health.
"Whether you are quite reserved as a person or happy, don't think that your own mental health is not as appropriate as anyone else's. We should all talk openly."
The episode can be listened to in full on Spotify, as well as Soundcloud and Apple Podcasts.