Watch this when
The Weight of Gold
They won gold and still went home empty. If you hit your goal and felt nothing, you're not broken.
Who it's for
Hearing Michael Phelps and other Olympians describe emptiness and depression after the Games normalises a counterintuitive experience: reaching a lifelong goal can leave people feeling lost.
Feelings it meets
What it is
This 2020 HBO Sports documentary, directed by Brett Rapkin and narrated and executive produced by Michael Phelps, examines the mental health struggles of Olympic athletes. Phelps, Apolo Anton Ohno, Lolo Jones, Sasha Cohen, Shaun White, Jeremy Bloom, Bode Miller, Gracie Gold and others talk about the pressure of chasing elite success, post-Olympic depression and the loss of identity when competing ends.
Where to find it
HBO original (HBO Max). Streaming availability rotates; check JustWatch.
Before you start
Heads up: Suicide and suicidal thoughts discussed.
Age: Not verified (suggested 14+)
Laugh, and the world laughs with you; Weep, and you weep alone.Ella Wheeler Wilcox, “Solitude”
