Anthony Ervin: The Rebel Olympian on Chasing Water, Finding Meaning in Gold & The Search For Authenticity
The Rich Roll Podcast11 Heinä 2016

Anthony Ervin: The Rebel Olympian on Chasing Water, Finding Meaning in Gold & The Search For Authenticity

Imagine winning an Olympic gold medal in swimming at age 19 at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. A feat never-before achieved by a swimmer of African-American descent, the frenzied media swarms. The only problem? You’re only half-black. You definitely don’t look black. And you know nothing about what it’s like to be part of the black experience. The unrelenting crush of public expectation to fulfill a role at odds with your private sense of self becomes so intense, you retreat from your Olympic experience not with any lasting sense of happiness, satisfaction and pride, but rather a numb confusion. This isn’t anything like I thought it would be… Over time, the confusion metastasizes into disillusionment. And it’s not long before depression sets in. Lost and lacking the tools to cope, life begins to pivot away from the dreaded black line at the bottom of the pool and towards a dreadlocked blur of rock ‘n roll, boozy, drug-fueled binges, rampant womanizing, cigarette haze, and death-defying motorcycle crashes. Nonetheless, over the next three years you continue to do the one thing you know how to do: swim. Not only do you continue to win, in 2001 you’re crowned the world champion in two events. But these results only magnify what is quickly becoming a profound crisis of identity. Who am I? Why am I doing this? What does it all mean? The answers continue to elude you until you find yourself so despondent, so desperate for relief, that you down a handful of tranquilizers. But the suicide attempt fails, fueling a sense of invincibility that only hastens the onset of an even more profound darkness. So, at the young age of 22, at the peak of his abilities, Anthony Ervin does what he has to — he walks away from the thing he used to love. The thing that gave him everything. The thing that made him a star. The thing that betrayed it’s promise of making him whole. In a Hail Mary attempt to discover and re-create his life, Anthony travels the world. He meditates at a Buddhist temple. He studies philosophy with a Sufi mystic. He reclaims his body with tattoos. He enrolls in graduate school but spends summers in Brooklyn, where he immerses himself in books, writes poetry, and even occasionally cross-dresses at parties. The denouement? Hawking his Olympic gold medal on eBay and donating the proceeds to the UNICEF tsunami relief fund. The only thing Anthony Ervin didn’t do during this time? Swim. Not one stroke. The next eight years marked a complete divorce from anything and everything swimming. In fact, not one of Anthony’s new friends during this time had any idea he was even an athlete, let alone an Olympic champion. He was just another tattooed, guitar-playing Brooklynite seeking answers to the Universe in music, meditation, books and partying. But with funds dwindling, Anthony offhandedly takes a gig teaching New York kids how to swim. The experience of service begins to erode his jaded shell and ignites an unexpected spark of appreciation for his former life. A new sense of self worth begins to emerge, informing the why in Anthony’s quest for spiritual self-actualization. Suddenly, love for the sport he so thoroughly placed in his rearview begins to rekindle. In 2011, Anthony returns to the water. And almost overnight, the impossible occurs. Twelve years after Sydney, Anthony qualifies for the 2012 London Olympics — his second U.S. Olympic team. Despite his 31 years of age (ancient in the world of swi...

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Gregg Renfrew Is Making Counter Moves in Clean Beauty

Gregg Renfrew Is Making Counter Moves in Clean Beauty

Gregg Renfrew is the founder of Beautycounter and now Counter—a pioneer in the clean beauty movement. Five years after our first exchange, Gregg returns with her story about navigating imposed change. After losing her company, she bought it back out of foreclosure in 48 hours—then let it die to save it. Today, we explore identity collapse, decoupling self-worth from success, why selling control means losing it, and the beauty industry's toxin loopholes. Along the way, we confront rebuilding when everything you've created is stripped away. This is an honest conversation about ego, humility, and the courage to begin again. Enjoy! Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: Go Brewing: Use the code Rich Roll for 15% OFF👉🏼https://www.gobrewing.com Seed: Use code RICHROLL20 for 20% OFF your first order👉🏼https://www.seed.com/RichRoll20 Squarespace: Use code RichRoll to save 10% off your first order of a website or domain👉🏼http://www.squarespace.com/RichRoll Whoop: The all-new WHOOP 5.0 is here! Get your first month FREE👉🏼https://www.join.whoop.com/Roll Momentous: High-caliber human performance products for sleep, focus, longevity, and more. For listeners of the show, Momentous is offering up to 35% off your first order👉🏼https://www.livemomentous.com/richroll On: High-performance shoes & apparel crafted for comfort and style👉🏼https://www.on.com/richroll LMNT: Get a free LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase👉🏼https://www.drinklmnt.com/richroll   Check out all of the amazing discounts from our Sponsors👉🏼https://www.richroll.com/sponsors  Find out more about Voicing Change Media at https://www.voicingchange.media and follow us @voicingchange

8 Joulu 1h 51min

Rich On Rock Bottom, Resolutions & Reframing Family Dynamics

Rich On Rock Bottom, Resolutions & Reframing Family Dynamics

Roll On returns! Just in time for the holiday gauntlet. Adam Skolnick and I unpack three questions the season demands: how to navigate family gatherings when the same dynamics play out like clockwork, what rock bottom actually means (hint: it's a launchpad for transformation, not a life sentence), and why I've traded rigid goals for something more like trajectory. We get into the superpower of extreme neutrality, why everyone is right from their perspective, and morning pages as the unlock you didn't know you needed. We also celebrate Adam's debut novel “American Tiger”—finally out in the world! Last but not least, we crown our favorite films of 2025. Enjoy!  Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: On: High-performance shoes & apparel crafted for comfort and style👉🏼https://www.on.com/richroll LMNT: Get a free LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase👉🏼https://www.drinklmnt.com/richroll  Pique: Get up to 20% OFF plus a FREE rechargeable frother and glass beaker with your first subscription👉🏼https://www.piquelife.com/richroll Momentous: High-caliber human performance products for sleep, focus, longevity, and more. For listeners of the show, Momentous is offering up to 35% off your first order👉🏼https://www.livemomentous.com/richroll Bon Charge: Get 15% OFF all my favorite wellness products w/ code RICHROLL👉🏼https://www.boncharge.com AG1: Get their best offer ever – Welcome Kit, D3+K2, Flavor Sampler, plus a FREE bonus gift ($126 in value!)⁠https://www.drinkAG1.com/richroll Rivian: Electric vehicles that keep the world adventurous forever👉🏼https://www.rivian.com Check out all of the amazing discounts from our Sponsors👉🏼https://www.richroll.com/sponsors  Find out more about Voicing Change Media at https://www.voicingchange.media and follow us @voicingchange

4 Joulu 1h 25min

Todd Marinovich: The Superstar Quarterback Who Lost Himself In Drugs & Found Himself In Love

Todd Marinovich: The Superstar Quarterback Who Lost Himself In Drugs & Found Himself In Love

Todd Marinovich is a former NFL quarterback, USC Rose Bowl champion, and the subject of the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary "The Marinovich Project." This conversation explores the duality of engineered perfection and performance-based love. We discuss his father's authoritarian methods, the identity crisis of living someone else's dream, his harrowing addiction, the moment his father's approval paradoxically ended his motivation, and his journey toward self-compassion through art and recovery. Through it all, Todd elucidates what it means to reclaim your humanity after decades of self-defiance. Todd's story is raw and achingly human. And his message is clear—hope is a decision. Enjoy! Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: Bon Charge: Use coupon code RICHROLL20 to save 20%👉🏼https://www.boncharge.com   On: High-performance shoes & apparel crafted for comfort and style👉🏼https://www.on.com/richroll   AG1: Get their best offer ever – Welcome Kit, D3+K2, Flavor Sampler, plus a FREE bonus gift ($126 in value!)⁠https://www.drinkAG1.com/richroll  Squarespace: Use code RichRoll to save 10% off your first order of a website or domain👉🏼http://www.squarespace.com/RichRoll        Roka: Unlock 20% OFF your order with code RICHROLL👉🏼https://www.ROKA.com/RICHROLL Check out all of the amazing discounts from our Sponsors👉🏼https://www.richroll.com/sponsors   Find out more about Voicing Change Media at https://www.voicingchange.media and follow us @voicingchange

1 Joulu 1h 55min

The Productivity Myth: Oliver Burkeman On Our Broken Relationship With Time, Embracing Our Limitations & Why More Isn’t Always Better

The Productivity Myth: Oliver Burkeman On Our Broken Relationship With Time, Embracing Our Limitations & Why More Isn’t Always Better

Oliver Burkeman is a bestselling author, journalist, and the mind behind “Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals” and “Meditations for Mortals.” We explore our broken relationship with time and Oliver's philosophy of imperfectionism, which dismantles the delusion that productivity is a moral imperative. Oliver explains why we're all chasing an infinite backlog, how perfectionism keeps us from doing the work, the path from overwhelm to agency, why acceptance isn't resignation, and the mystical energy of completion. Along the way, Oliver diagnoses my biggest malfunction and exposes an uncomfortable truth about my people-pleasing tendencies. Oliver's work is vital. And this conversation might just change your life. Enjoy!  Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up  Today’s Sponsors: Momentous: High-caliber human performance products for sleep, focus, longevity, and more. For listeners of the show, Momentous is offering up to 35% off your first order👉🏼https://www.livemomentous.com/richroll On: High-performance shoes & apparel crafted for comfort and style👉🏼https://www.on.com/richroll BetterHelp: Get 10% OFF the first month👉🏼https://www.betterhelp.com/richroll Whoop: The all-new WHOOP 5.0 is here! Get your first month FREE👉🏼https://www.join.whoop.com/Roll Seed: Use code RICHROLL20 for 20% OFF your first order👉🏼https://www.seed.com/RichRoll20           Birch: For 27% off ALL mattresses👉🏼https://www.BirchLiving.com/richroll   Squarespace: Use code RichRoll to save 10% off your first order of a website or domain👉🏼http://www.squarespace.com/RichRoll       Check out all of the amazing discounts from our Sponsors👉🏼https://www.richroll.com/sponsors  Find out more about Voicing Change Media at https://www.voicingchange.media and follow us @voicingchange

24 Marras 1h 59min

Fasting Compilation: Leading Experts On Water-Only Fasts, Fasting Mimicking Diets & The Optimal Fasting Window For Longevity

Fasting Compilation: Leading Experts On Water-Only Fasts, Fasting Mimicking Diets & The Optimal Fasting Window For Longevity

This Fasting Compilation features Dr. Alan Goldhamer, Dr. Valter Longo, and Dr. Michael Greger to discuss the science of strategic deprivation. We explore why visceral fat behaves like a tumor secreting inflammatory molecules that drive chronic disease. How many health conditions stem from dietary patterns rather than requiring medication alone. The evolutionary mechanism of insulin resistance and the reality that when you eat can matter as much as what you eat, with the same calories producing opposite metabolic outcomes depending on meal timing. I also share my own challenges. Knowing the science doesn't make implementation easy. Listen. Learn. And discuss with your healthcare provider what makes sense for you. Enjoy! CRITICAL SAFETY NOTE: Under no circumstances should anyone undertake a water fast of any length without medical supervision. Do not attempt this at home. Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: Roka: Unlock 20% OFF your order with code RICHROLL👉🏼https://www.ROKA.com/RICHROLL On: High-performance shoes & apparel crafted for comfort and style👉🏼https://www.on.com/richroll  AG1: Get their best offer ever – Welcome Kit, D3+K2, Flavor Sampler, plus a FREE bonus gift ($126 in value!)⁠https://www.drinkAG1.com/richroll Go Brewing: Use the code Rich Roll for 15% OFF👉🏼https://www.gobrewing.com Rivian: Electric vehicles that keep the world adventurous forever👉🏼https://www.rivian.com  Calm: Get 40% off a Calm Premium subscription👉🏼https://www.calm.com/richroll  Squarespace: Use code RichRoll to save 10% off your first order of a website or domain👉🏼http://www.squarespace.com/RichRoll        Check out all of the amazing discounts from our Sponsors👉🏼https://www.richroll.com/sponsors  Find out more about Voicing Change Media at https://www.voicingchange.media and follow us @voicingchange

20 Marras 1h 8min

Interview With An Icon: Katie Couric On The State of Media, Institutional Distrust, Cancer Advocacy & What Actually Creates Happiness

Interview With An Icon: Katie Couric On The State of Media, Institutional Distrust, Cancer Advocacy & What Actually Creates Happiness

Katie Couric is a journalist and the first woman to solo-anchor a major network evening newscast.  We explore the disintermediation of news media, institutional distrust, and the fragmentation of shared truth in America. Katie shares her experiences navigating the CBS boys club, her perspective on the Sarah Palin interview, the craft of asking great questions, her cancer advocacy work after personal tragedy, and what she's learned about happiness.  Along the way, Katie admits she's never been addicted to anything—until now.  With four decades of perspective, Katie doesn't hold back. Enjoy! Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: Bon Charge Get 15% OFF all my favorite wellness products w/ code RICHROLL👉🏼https://www.boncharge.com AG1: Get their best offer ever – Welcome Kit, D3+K2, Flavor Sampler, plus a FREE bonus gift ($126 in value!)⁠https://www.drinkAG1.com/richroll Prolon: Get 15% OFF plus a FREE bonus gift👉🏼https://www.prolonlife.com/richroll BetterHelp: Get 10% OFF the first month👉🏼https://www.betterhelp.com/richroll Rivian: Electric vehicles that keep the world adventurous forever👉🏼https://www.rivian.com On: High-performance shoes & apparel crafted for comfort and style👉🏼https://www.on.com/richroll LMNT: Get a free LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase👉🏼https://www.drinklmnt.com/richroll  Check out all of the amazing discounts from our Sponsors👉🏼https://www.richroll.com/sponsors   Find out more about Voicing Change Media at https://www.voicingchange.media and follow us @voicingchange

17 Marras 1h 57min

Tig Notaro Is Treading Water

Tig Notaro Is Treading Water

Tig Notaro is a comedian, actor, screenwriter, producer, and co-host of the podcast Handsome. This conversation explores Tig's legendary 2012 set—delivered days after her cancer diagnosis—and how loss became her greatest teacher. We discuss her wild upbringing, choosing presence over performance, the napkin-based writing process, what's going on in the comedy scene, and producing "Come See Me in the Good Light," the Sundance-winning doc about poet Andrea Gibson. Oh, and we bond over spinal fusion surgery recovery. Tig is great—and I really enjoyed our time together. Enjoy! Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: Squarespace: Use code RichRoll to save 10% off your first order of a website or domain👉🏼http://www.squarespace.com/RichRoll       On: High-performance shoes & apparel crafted for comfort and style👉🏼https://www.on.com/richroll   AG1: Get their best offer ever – Welcome Kit, D3+K2, Flavor Sampler, plus a FREE bonus gift ($126 in value!)⁠https://www.drinkAG1.com/richroll BetterHelp: Get 10% OFF the first month👉🏼https://www.betterhelp.com/richroll   Pique: Get up to 20% OFF plus a FREE rechargeable frother and glass beaker with your first subscription👉🏼https://www.piquelife.com/richroll  WHOOP: The all-new WHOOP 5.0 is here! Get your first month FREE👉🏼https://www.join.whoop.com/Roll Roka: Unlock 20% OFF your order with code RICHROLL👉🏼https://www.ROKA.com/RICHROLL Check out all of the amazing discounts from our Sponsors👉🏼https://www.richroll.com/sponsors   Find out more about Voicing Change Media at https://www.voicingchange.media  and follow us @voicingchange

10 Marras 2h 41min

Modern Manhood: A Compilation On Redefining Masculinity, True Strength & Igniting Purpose, Community & Vulnerability In Men

Modern Manhood: A Compilation On Redefining Masculinity, True Strength & Igniting Purpose, Community & Vulnerability In Men

This Modern Masculinity Compilation features Scott Galloway (ep. 826), Terry Crews (ep. 676), Jonathan Haidt (ep. 827), Arnold Schwarzenegger (ep. 784), John W. Price (ep. 939), John Pearson (ep. 739), and Toby Morse (ep. 816). We explore the friendship recession, boys without fathers facing incarceration, and digital isolation that predated COVID. Men exhausted from cosplaying confidence. The elephant metaphor about young males needing elder presence. Why vulnerability and toughness aren't opposites but partners. These conversations diagnose what's broken and map paths forward through mentorship and connection. Seven voices who showed up and got vulnerable. Pass it on. Enjoy! Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: Seed: Use RICHROLL25 for 25% OFF your first order👉🏼 https://www.seed.com/RichRoll25 LMNT: Get a free LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase👉🏼https://www.drinklmnt.com/richroll    Pique: Get up to 20% OFF plus a FREE rechargeable frother and glass beaker with your first subscription👉🏼https://www.piquelife.com/richroll Momentous: High-caliber human performance products for sleep, focus, longevity, and more. For listeners of the show, Momentous is offering up to 35% off your first order👉🏼https://www.livemomentous.com/richroll Rivian: Electric vehicles that keep the world adventurous forever👉🏼https://www.rivian.com Squarespace: Use code RichRoll to save 10% off your first order of a website or domain👉🏼http://www.squarespace.com/RichRoll     On: High-performance shoes & apparel crafted for comfort and style👉🏼https://www.on.com/richroll Check out all of the amazing discounts from our Sponsors👉🏼https://www.richroll.com/sponsors Find out more about Voicing Change Media at https://www.voicingchange.media and follow us @voicingchange

6 Marras 1h 19min

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