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Open Heart, Open Mind
Open Heart, Open Mind | Clara Hughes
4 posts | 4 read | 2 to read
From one of Canada s most decorated Olympians comes a raw but life-affirming story of one woman s struggle with depression. In a world where winning meant everything, her biggest competitor was herself. In 2006, when Clara Hughes stepped onto the Olympic podium in Torino, Italy, she became the first and only athlete ever to win multiple medals in both Summer and Winter Games. Four years later, she was proud to carry the Canadian flag at the head of the Canadian team as they participated in the opening ceremony of the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games. But there s another story behind her celebrated career as an athlete, behind her signature billboard smile. While most professional athletes devote their entire lives to training, Clara spent her teenage years using drugs and drinking to escape the stifling home life her alcoholic father had created in Elmwood, Winnipeg. She was headed nowhere fast when, at sixteen, she watched transfixed in her living room as gold medal speed skater Gaetan Boucher effortlessly raced in the 1988 Calgary Olympics. Dreaming of one day competing herself, Clara channeled her anger, frustration and raw ambition into the endurance sports of speed skating and cycling. By 2010, she had become a six-time Olympic medalist. But after more than a decade in the gruelling world of professional sports that stripped away her confidence and bruised her body, Clara began to realize that her physical extremes, her emotional setbacks, and her partying habits were masking a severe depression. After winning bronze in the last speed skating race of her career, she decided to retire from that sport, determined to repair herself. She has emerged as one of our most committed humanitarians, advocating for a variety of social causes both in Canada and around the world. In 2010, she became national spokesperson for Bell Canada s Let s Talk campaign in support of mental health awareness, using her Olympic standing to share the positive message of the power of forgiveness. Told with honesty and passion, "Open Heart, Open Mind" is Clara s personal journey through physical and mental pain to a life where love and understanding can thrive. This revelatory and inspiring story will touch the hearts of all Canadians."
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CuriousG
Open Heart, Open Mind | Clara Hughes
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Excellent book covering everything from her summer AND winter Olympic competitions, to dysfunctional eating/body image, to depression and mental health...and of course, it has pictures in it. You definitely want to read this one! #seasonsreadings2016 #bookwithpictures #wellbeing #mentalhealth #bodyimage #olympian #Canadian #hope #helpeachother #endthestigma #mustread #memoir @RealLifeReading

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Shay
Open Heart, Open Mind | Clara Hughes
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Pickpick

This book does a fantastic job of demonstrating how depression isn't about causes. Leaving an abuser or finding love won't heal you. Not even six Olympic medals will do it. It's something you live with and fight every day, even during your happiest moments and greatest successes. Full review: https://goo.gl/DmzNXW

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Shay
Open Heart, Open Mind | Clara Hughes
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Starting on Clara Hughes memoir about depression.

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KendallMorganHall
Open Heart, Open Mind | Clara Hughes
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Mehso-so

This memoir was better than I expected. Clara Hughes was an Olympian in both the Summer and Winter Olympics who struggled with depression. I was disappointed that she glossed by the doping charges early in her career but other than that it was an inspiring read.