"I was fading away again." - Will Person
In this episode of the Phoenix Wisdom Podcast, host Janet Sandberg speaks with William Person, a former 9-year Team USA Bobsled athlete who lost nearly his entire quality of life and four former teammates to suicide before he recognized he is living with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). It wasn't until he heard Joe Namath talk about the benefits he received from Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) that William had any hope for a return to quality life. Today, he's on a mission to open a CTE Recovery Center for athletes and military veterans battling CTE-like symptoms at no cost (thanks to a GoFundMe).
In this episode, Will Person shares his profound journey through mental health struggles, the impact of (CTE), and his fight for awareness and treatment for athletes. Will discusses the signs of CTE, his experiences with suicidal thoughts, and the transformative effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. He emphasizes the importance of community support and transparency in sports, urging listeners to recognize the broader implications of CTE and mental health issues in athletes and veterans alike.
Your host, Janet Sandberg, offers support for mind, body, and soul. Through Reiki, channelled Soul Conversations, and trauma-informed coaching, she helps you discover who you are, why you’re here, what’s holding you back, and how to move forward with confidence and clarity. With a deep commitment to mental health and her own lived experience in grief, resilience, and personal growth, Janet creates a safe, compassionate space for insight, healing, and transformation that is available to everyone, regardless of location. Janet is also the author of the journal, Spirit Would Like You to Know: a coloring journal to explore your soul.
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Phoenix Wisdom Podcast
03:05 The Impact of Mental Health in Sports
06:10 Recognizing Symptoms of CTE
09:01 The Fight for Awareness and Transparency
11:59 Struggles with Suicidal Thoughts
14:51 Finding Hope Through Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
17:55 Understanding CTE and Its Effects
21:05 The Role of Support and Treatment
23:48 Facing the Challenge of Treatment
25:52 The Struggle with Mental Health
26:56 Understanding Neurological Symptoms
28:48 The Impact of Concussions
30:44 The Connection Between CTE and Violence
31:55 Mental Health and Hidden Injuries
33:35 Recognizing Signs of CTE
35:14 The Importance of Family Support
38:27 Finding Hope in Darkness
40:00 Building Community for Recovery
42:42 The Journey to Healing
46:13 The Power of Simple Solutions
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In Crisis?
Canada:
Talk Suicide Canada call 1-833-456-4566 available 24/7. Between the hours of 4pm-midnight (Eastern time) you can text 45645 or text 988
In Quebec call 1-866-277-3553. Contactez un intervenant par texto au 535353. Service offert 24/7 partout au Québec
If you are under 18, call Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868. They offer 24/7 text service. You don’t need a data plan, internet connection or an app to use it.
If you’re in imminent danger call 911 or go to Emergency.
USA:
Call or text 988 (para ayuda en español, llame al 988). The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
Call 911 in life-threatening situations.
Keywords: CTE, mental health, bobsledding, suicide awareness, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, HBOT, athlete health, community support, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, sports safety, mental health treatment, suicide prevention, suicidal ideation, inspiration, hope, transformation, inspiring wisdom, concussions, brain injury, Olympic athlete, inspiring transformation