While 2024 Strongest Man on Earth Mitchell Hooper proudly adds more strongman trophies to his collection, he also aspires to inspire others to prioritize their physical and mental well-being. Mental fitness is as important as physical fitness; on Sept. 13, 2024, the 2023 World’s Strongest Man revealed he is in therapy.
Up to 35% of elite athletes experience mental health challenges, with common issues such as depression, burnout, and anxiety frequently reported. (1) Hooper shared his journey navigating the complexities of mental health as a successful and highly decorated athlete and emphasized the importance of seeking therapy.
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Mitchell Hooper’s Mental Battles
Hooper acknowledges that despite appearing to thrive — he has enjoyed a successful 2024, welcomed a healthy baby, cherished a loving wife, cultivated close friendships, and achieved a fulfilling work-life balance — he still faces personal struggles.
“There are things in my life that I’m just not happy about. Sometimes, I don’t wake up in the morning with the energy and the vigor that I would like to,” expressed Hooper. “I don’t operate day-to-day as happy as I want to be, and at times I have very dark moments and the most frustrating bit for me is to think I’m doing absolutely everything I can to live a healthy, positive life in terms of mental health.”
Hooper reflects on his younger years when he lacked the achievements he enjoys today and faced difficulties relating to others. This struggle stemmed from his different perspective on the world, leading him to continually question his existence and purpose. Achieving success did little to alleviate these feelings.
“Many people think that this brings about a level of confidence and arrogance and just feeling like you’re king of the world,” explained Hooper. “But to me, I just started to feel indebted because I don’t feel like I’ve accomplished as a person what I’m returning or what I’m getting returned to me.”
Hooper says he has now considered his purpose in life, which includes his family, relationships, children, and career as a strongman and content creator. However, Hooper acknowledges that his extensive time away from family due to work influences his values, which he often struggles to uphold.
You have the desire to spend a lot of time with family and be present and be there but you spend so much time away.
Hooper often prioritizes tasks that may feel less important because he needs to earn a living. When he’s with family, he experiences a strong urge and anxiety to complete those tasks. He acknowledges that he sometimes becomes overwhelmed with responsibilities, preventing him from fully enjoying moments with his family. This realization is what prompted him to seek help.
Mitchell Hooper Commits to Therapy
Hooper recognizes the benefits of therapy, noting it can significantly enhance personal relations. Therapy isn’t solely about personal transformation; instead, it can focus on developing tasks and habits that foster improvement. It can act as a sounding board, providing an outlet to express one’s thoughts and feelings.
Hooper reflects on his desire to give back to as many people as possible through therapy sessions, which fuels his daily habits, business endeavors, competitions, and other pursuits. This drive enables him to provide his family, employees, and friends with the fulfilling lives they seek.
However, Hooper admits that he has often neglected his own needs. For three years, he gradually lost touch with activities that brought him personal joy. While he finds immense satisfaction in engaging with others, he acknowledges that this focus on others can detract from his well-being.
It’s a really big challenge if you can’t be happy by yourself.
Hooper has a passion for training, creating content, and competing, but he struggles to relax, a challenge he’s actively addressing. It’s normal to feel unhappy sometimes, and that highlights the importance of mental health.
If you find yourself in such a situation, don’t hesitate to seek help. There are various avenues for support, including virtual therapy, physical therapy, support groups, or confiding in a friend.
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References
- Reardon, C. L., Hainline, B., Aron, C. M., Baron, D., Baum, A. L., Bindra, A., Budgett, R., Campriani, N., Castaldelli-Maia, J. M., Currie, A., Derevensky, J. L., Glick, I. D., Gorczynski, P., Gouttebarge, V., Grandner, M. A., Han, D. H., McDuff, D., Mountjoy, M., Polat, A., Purcell, R., … Engebretsen, L. (2019). Mental health in elite athletes: International Olympic Committee consensus statement (2019). British journal of sports medicine, 53(11), 667–699. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2019-100715
Featured image: @mitchellhooper on Instagram
