Empowerment and Purpose: A World Class Swimmers Journey through Addiction with Hilary Phelps

The Braintrust "Driving Change" Podcast

Summary

Hilary Phelps, oldest sister and nationally ranked swimmer in a family of famous swimmers, shares her journey of overcoming self-worth issues and addiction. Growing up in a competitive family, Hilary excelled in swimming but struggled with feeling accepted and fitting in. This led her to turn to alcohol as a way to cope and find an identity. Hilary became a “professional drinker", hiding her addiction and pushing boundaries. However, she eventually realized the need for change and sought support from a community of people facing similar challenges. Through community and changing her daily rituals, Hilary found a path to recovery. Hilary Phelps shares her journey of overcoming addiction and finding her purpose in helping other women. She discusses the recognition of the need for change and the internal motivation required to seek help. Hilary emphasizes the importance of managing emotions and finding support in recovery. She highlights the significance of being in the “right room”, surrounded by people who support and understand one's journey. As the conversation comes to a close, she explains how she has created a platform to help women in transition and provide them with the support and resources they need.

Takeaways

The desire to change must come from within and be driven by a deep internal motivation.

Managing emotions is crucial in recovery, as emotions can be triggers for relapse.

Surrounding oneself with a supportive community is essential for maintaining sobriety.

Being in the “right room”, surrounded by people who understand and support one's journey, is key to personal growth and healing.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:06 Childhood and Early Influences

03:02 Struggles with Self-Worth and Addiction

09:10 The Impact of External Voices and Social Media

11:05 College Years and Escalation of Addiction

15:05 Professional Drinking and Hiding the Addiction

21:27 Rewiring the Brain and Finding Community

21:57 Recognizing the Need for Change

25:08 The Journey to Sobriety

29:43 Managing Emotions and Finding Support

32:13 The Importance of Being in the Right Room

36:37 Creating a Platform for Healing

How to contact Hilary

https://www.hilaryphelps.com/

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilary-phelps-6143695/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/HilaryPhelpsTheRightRoom

Stay tuned for more on “The Right Room”.