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Michael Phelps has 23 Olympic gold medals. He also has something else: the phone number of a therapist who specializes in post-Olympic depression.
This isn’t a coincidence. Behind every podium finish lies a question most of us never consider: What happens when you achieve everything you have ever wanted—and it still isn’t enough?
My guest today is Peter Carlisle, a veteran sports agent who has spent over two decades representing some of Olympic competition’s iconic athletes, including Michael Phelps and Simone Biles. As founder of Octagon’s Olympic and Action Sports division, Peter has witnessed firsthand what happens when the cameras stop rolling and champions face their most challenging opponent: themselves. He has navigated the complex intersection of athletic achievement and human vulnerability, and through his Reformed Sports Project, he now advocates for systemic change in youth athletics.
“Competitive success is enhanced by diversity of experience—enhanced by prioritizing mental wellness alongside physical development.”
– PETER CARLISLE
Today, we discuss:
- Youth Sports Specialization Crisis
- Post-Olympic Mental Health Struggle
- The Weight of Gold Documentary Insights
- Governing Bodies vs. Athlete Welfare
- Finding Identity Beyond Performance
For those who prefer a visual experience, the conversation is available on YouTube. As always, the audio version streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Peace + Plants,
Listen, Watch, & Subscribe
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- Connect With Peter: Octagon | LinkedIn
- Octagon: Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn
- Octagon: Olympics & Action Sports
- Bates Magazine: Agent Smart
- CNBC: Watch: Peter Carlisle, Octagon managing director of the Olympics, discusses what it takes to become an Olympic star
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Thank The Team: I do not do this alone. Send your love to Jason Camiolo for audio engineering, production, show notes and interstitial music; with additional audio engineering by Cale Curtis and additional music by Moby; Dan Drake & Morgan McCrae for video, & editing; graphics by graphics by Alejandro Ribadeneira & Bryan Lawrence; portraits by Davy Greenberg; copywriting by Ben Pryor; and theme music by Tyler Piatt, Trapper Piatt & Hari Mathis.
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