Olympian reveals what happens when the cheering stops?

In this powerful episode of Wake Up Your Soul, Andrea sits down with Carrie Bates (formerly Carrie Steinseifer), a three-time Gold Medalist swimmer from the 1984 Olympics. Carrie takes us on her raw and remarkable journey from the pinnacle of athletic glory to the depths of alcoholism and the fight to reclaim her life.

For years, Carrie was defined by her sport. But when the career ended, the identity crisis began. Carrie opens up about the dark side of elite athletics, the struggle with post-Olympic depression, and the heartbreaking rock bottom that led to losing legal rights to her children.

This isn't just a sports story—it's a story of survival.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Identity Trap: Navigating the mental health struggles athletes face after retirement.
• Rock Bottom: Carrie’s honest account of addiction, legal battles, and losing custody.
• The Road to Recovery: How she found lasting sobriety and built a life beyond the pool.
• Parenting & Pressure: The vital role of parental support in youth sports.
• Authenticity: Moving from "The Swimmer" to just "Carrie."

Whether you are an athlete, a parent, or someone navigating your own recovery journey, Carrie’s story proves that no matter how far you fall, you can always rise again.

00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer
00:49 Andrea's Story: Finding purpose through pain
01:33 Welcome to Wake Up Your Soul
01:36 Carrie Bates: What happens after the gold medal?
02:16 The "Identity Trap": Why athletes crumble when they retire
05:13 How to separate your self-worth from your performance
05:38 Parenting advice: Supporting young athletes without the pressure
13:12 The hidden dark side of fame and success
21:32 Mental health crisis: The crushing weight of expectation
23:38 Life beyond the medals: Who are you without the sport?
24:52 The isolation of being a public figure
25:31 How media narratives distort reality
26:12 The struggles nobody sees behind Olympic glory
27:42 The journey to sobriety begins
28:24 When celebration turns to coping: The onset of alcoholism
30:10 The harsh reality of life after the Olympics
31:23 How addiction destroys family dynamics and relationships
34:34 The turning point: Finding recovery and a new purpose
41:41 Rock Bottom: Losing custody and the darkest moments
47:35 Embracing self-discovery and finding your true self
50:12 Final thoughts: You can always rebuild

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