Bobsled, Brain Trauma, and the Battle for Awareness: A Conversation with William Person

In this powerful episode of Not All There, host Chad Johnsonsits down with William Person, a former Team USA bobsled athlete, to talk about the highs and hidden costs of competing at the elite level. William opens up about his journey from the thrill of international competition to the devastating reality of living with the effects of CTE (Chronic TraumaticEncephalopathy) — a degenerative brain condition caused by repeated head injuries.

Their conversation dives deep into the emotional toll of identity loss after sports, the intersection of addiction, mental health, and recovery, and how community and vulnerability become lifelines in healing. William shareshis ongoing fight to manage the long-term symptoms of brain injury, his path toward mental health advocacy, and his exploration of treatments like hyperbarictherapy as tools for recovery and hope.

This episode is a raw, insightful look into the unseen side of athletic excellence — and a call to end the silence around brain injuries, addiction, and mental health in sports.

• The journey of mental health advocacy is deeply personal.
• CTEis a significant issue in sports, especially for athletes.
• Understanding addiction is crucial in recovery processes.
• Personal experiences shape the way we advocate for others.
• The importance of community support in mental health recovery.
• Hyperbaric treatment shows promise for brain injuries.
• Advocacy can stem from personal loss and tragedy.
• Raising awareness about mental health is essential for athletes.
• The stigma around mental health needs to be addressed.
• Every athlete's story can contribute to a larger conversation about health.

William’s GoFundMe is: https://gofund.me/93ff9c6e

Links to William’s SocialMedia: @onemanwithachamber

One man with a chamber HBOT (@hyperbarichealing) | TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@hyperbarichealing?_t=ZT-8zD0dNeEvPi&_r=1