2023 World’s Strongest Man Mitchell Hooper recently discussed his issues with mental health and suicidal thoughts.
Mitchell Hooper, the 2023 World’s Strongest Man, recently sat down with Flex Lewis to discuss a number of topics including his struggles with mental health. After having one of the most impressive rookie years in strongman history, Hooper topped things off with an impressive victory at the World’s Strongest Man. Hooper has entered rarified air with the victory. But perhaps what is more impressive is his willingness to open up about his mental health, including dealing with suicidal thoughts.
Mental health is one of the most important issues in the world today. More than one and five US adults live with mental illness. Mental health issues have been on the rise since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. So it comes as no surprise that high-level professional athletes are being plagued with mental health issues. 2023 World’s Strongest Man Mitchell Hooper just happens to be one of many athletes who have struggled with their internal world.
Sitting down for an interview with six-time 212 Olympia champion Flex Lewis, Mitchell Hooper, covered a great deal of subjects. He spoke about his performance at the 2023 World’s Strongest Man and minced no words.
“It was, if you know the events and you know what I’m good at, it was a more than perfect performance… In my estimation, I probably have three or four more chances at the most to win, and the odds that all of those go perfectly are very low. So, I thought I had about a 25% chance.”
From these statements alone, we get the idea that Mitchell Hooper is a deep thinker and very self-deprecating. Cooper even discussed the mental hurdles. He had to climb ahead of his victory at the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic.
“Going into Arnolds, it was probably one of the most difficult times of my life. I’d speak to my coach a couple times a week, and if you watch him going up to me after, you can see that I’m fighting back tears. And it’s not tears of joy, it’s tears because there were times I didn’t think I was gonna make it here.”
According to Hooper, he’s been a victim of his own success.
“You’re getting assessed by people on your character who don’t know you… Mental health-wise I probably haven’t had the year that a lot of people would expect… I am a victim of my own success.”
Mental Health Struggles
Mitchell Hooper continued to elaborate about his mental state when he was at his lowest point.
“The hardest bit of all of this is that I know that my family listens to this, and this is stuff that I’ve never spoken about before. But, I’ve sat by myself in the bathroom, looking up train schedules like when I could go to the train track,” said Hooper. “Like looking up a train schedule of when I could go lie on the tracks.”
Mitchell Hooper went on to explain that this wasn’t the only time that he had considered taking his own life.
Mitchell Hooper was candid about his mental health struggles
“I had a rope, I drove into the woods and I was sitting there and thinking ‘am I going to do this or am I not’. Also learning about tying it correctly, and knowing how to do it all, and looking at the trees thinking which one should I choose. Eventually, I said if I’m not there (the basketball game) it will raise concern.”
While he may have struggled with suicidal thoughts in the past, it appears that Mitchell Hooper is in a much better place now.
“The more fulfilled I am, the less likely it is to happen. And fulfillment is not happiness.”
If even the strongest human on the planet can deal with mental health struggles, anyone can. It’s important to seek out professional help when you’re in need. If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, be sure to contact the suicide prevention hotline. To see the full conversation between Mitchell Hooper and Flex Lewis click here.
News and Editorial Writer at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.
