From Track Star to Bobsled Champion: William Person’s Fight for Mental Health & Athlete Safety

What happens when life takes you in an unexpected direction? For William Person, it meant going from college track and field to becoming an Olympic bobsledder — despite once thinking the sport was “stupid.”

In this compelling episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland dives deep into Will’s remarkable story — from athletic triumphs to the unseen mental and physical toll of high-impact sports.

Will shares:
An Unexpected Start – How a Canadian team discovered him at ASU and convinced him to try bobsledding—only for him to win a medal in his first week.
The Hidden Dangers – The connection between bobsledding and CTE, the effects of repeated high G-forces, and the lack of medical safeguards for athletes.
Cognitive & Emotional Struggles – How memory lapses, confusion, and the loss of a teammate shaped his journey toward healing.
Advocacy & Recovery – Will’s mission to raise awareness about mental health, his success with oxygen therapy, and his vision to open a treatment facility for athletes and veterans in St. Louis.

This episode goes far beyond sports—it’s a story of resilience, healing, and the fight for athlete safety.

👉 Tune in to hear how William turned pain into purpose, and why his advocacy could change the future of mental health in athletics.

Listen on Apple Podcasts

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