Talent or Tenacity Podcast Ep. 5: Dr. Will Young - Get Comfortable being Uncomfortable.
From addiction to health through exercise and lifestyle changes
Dr. William Young; family man, athlete, friend, Marriage and Family Therapist
I have had the pleasure of knowing Will since about 2008 when I was in the middle of studying for my PhD and my only social arrangements were meeting up with cycling group to go riding on the weekends. Will was (and IS) a phenomenal cyclist and all around athlete but more than that, he was incredibly welcoming and warm to me, a relative outsider who was hanging on to the back of a group of fast guys! Fast forward 15 or so years, and we are still connected in multiple ways: one, through his delightful wife, Dr. Monet Young (who we heard from in episode 1!!) and two, through our careers in mental health. Will is a Marriage and Family Therapist who provides vital counseling services in support of total wellness to a diverse group clientele. He exudes hope, authenticity, and care for others and he exemplifies the spirit of helping in the way it was intended to be.
When I first started thinking about creating a Podcast, Will was one of the first guests that came to mind. We have had many conversations about mental health and specifically about athletes coping with stress, pressure to perform, fears, and expectations. Many of these conversations happened before or after we jumped into the lake for an open water swim: either we were procrastinating getting started or we were elated at having completed another swimming feat and survived! I wanted to talk to Will on the show about facing fears and overcoming physical and mental challenges. If I have learned anything from mental coaching, it is that every athlete (amateur, professional, youth, adult, or masters) will face a challenge at some point. The mental hurdles are often far more daunting than the physical and we often feel less-equipped to handle and overcome them.
In this episode, we discuss Will’s background (I am thankful he is open and honest and willing to go way back to his childhood) and how his experiences as a youngster laid the foundation for his career and the path he has taken with his life. I have always felt that one of the most important assets we have as counselors/coaches/consultants is the ability to empathize and/or sit with a person where they are and listen with openness and non-judgement. It is clear that Dr. Young has that in spades. This episode spans the topics of addiction, recovery, physical activity, mastery experiences, facing ones fears, and the mental and physical skills to handle them.
Every guest I have interviewed has been incredibly gracious in sharing their background and giving listeners a window into what makes them tick. I am so grateful for their time and honesty - I started this podcast to bring positive and uplifting voices to the athletic community but their messages span all walks of life, thank you ALL! You can find Episode 5 HERE.
