Ian Thorpe – how a mentor could show him the way out of depression’s darkest waters

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The very nature of a world champion’s job increases the risk of imbalance, or an unbalanced perspective on life that leads to a state of “dis-ease”. Depression is just one symptom.

Thorpe made one glaring mistake common to great sporting champions:  he surrounded himself with coaches, but few or no mentors. Mentors are those who have gone before, who have their charge’s best interests at heart. They can guide champions and ensure that their “game plans” are “made of the right stuff ”, as they move from good to great to greater.

Most important of all, mentors are often best placed to restore balance and paint the bigger picture of life – that life is indeed bigger than sport.