Phil Heath, renowned bodybuilder and former basketball player, recently opened up about his struggles with depression during his college years. In a candid interview on the High-Performance YouTube channel, Heath revealed how being cut from the basketball team plunged him into a dark place.

In the podcast video, Heath spoke about the profound impact of vulnerability, stating, “Being vulnerable has allowed me to know who the hell I am. Understanding that life is not perfect… just because you show up for work every day, just because you give it your best, doesn’t mean that you’re going to make it.” He recounted his dream of playing in the NBA, only to have it shattered when he didn’t make the cut for the college team.

Phil Heath turned to alc**l as a coping mechanism

Phil Heath confessed his thoughts that nobody cared enough, and even his family and friends weren’t there for him, which led to negative thoughts getting deeper. “I just ultimately felt like they didn’t give a sh** so decided to, you know uh, think about death and suicide,” said Mr. Olympia.  The realization that he wasn’t getting playing time hit him hard. The Dream Killer found himself in a downward spiral, resorting to running around campus after games, crying, and feeling lost. With no one nearby to confide in, he spiraled into thoughts of sui***e, turning to alc**l as a coping mechanism.

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Heath reflected on his darkest moments, acknowledging the danger of relying on alcohol to numb the pain. “The worst thing a person can do is just cope with alcohol,” he said, recognizing the destructive path he was on. Despite contemplating suicide and feeling like there was no way out, Heath found a glimmer of hope in realizing that he needed to love himself more and seek help.

He struggled with changing his identity and letting go of his NBA dreams. However, he found solace in refocusing on his education and becoming a model student. Although the journey wasn’t easy for Heath while promoting his documentary film “Breaking Olympia: The Phil Heath Story,” he shared Mike Tyson’s struggle with inner demons, resonating with the relentless drive to overcome obstacles.

Heath drew parallels between his struggles and those of Mike Tyson with inner demons

The Gift recognized the value of his opportunities, reflected on his journey, he shared insights on the True Geordie podcast. He spoke of the sacrifices demanded by greatness, drawing parallels with boxing legend Mike Tyson’s struggles. He recalled, “I remember watching Mike Tyson talk about the demons and stuff and I’m sitting there it’s like yep I know what that means.”

Despite doubts, Heath remained resolute, stating, “I’m just very glad that I was able to leverage it. Because I can hear those whispers from that damn freaking demon dude like you got to kill these motherfu**r you got to get them.” His determination paid off with seven Olympia titles, triumphing over rival Kai Greene.

Despite facing setbacks, Heath opted for a different path, which became the catalyst for his success in bodybuilding. His journey underscores the power of resilience, a shift in mindset, and self-confidence as essential elements in achieving one’s goals. Did his journey inspire you to focus on your goals? Let us know in the comments below.