Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton has opened up about depression and marriage split
She has won two Olympic golds in cycling, competed on Strictly Come Dancing and ridden at the Cheltenham Festival, but nothing has been a bigger challenge for Victoria Pendleton than battling depression.
In an exclusive interview with Mail on Sunday Sports Editor Alison Kervin today, Pendleton, 37, gives a harrowing insight into her mental illness ordeal, which was sparked by a failed bid to climb Everest.
She joined TV presenter Ben Fogle for an attempt on the summit to help raise funds for the Red Cross in May.
Despite a ‘magical’ start, her body gave out at just over 6,500m (21,300ft) and doctors ordered her to return to sea level and recover in hospital for days on end, which is when the depression hit.
‘It was horrible,’ she recalled. ‘The worst feeling. I’d happily take two broken legs over that any day.
‘No one who hasn’t had a mental illness understands. It crushes you. Even reading a book feels like hard work. I could do nothing. I felt like I was nothing.’
On top of the physical and mental problems, Pendleton has also had to deal with the break-up of her five-year marriage to Scott Gardner, a performance scientist and coach for Team GB.
She said: ‘It doesn’t rain, it pours. It’s all been very difficult but I think that’s just part of life.
‘I’m not the first woman to separate from her husband and I won’t be the last.’ She has recently become an ambassador for the Laureus Waves Project, which aims to introduce children with mental health issues to surfing.
She said: ‘I’ve loved it so much. I’m a huge surf fan. I get so excited about things. I’d love to be all mysterious and in control, but that’s not me.
‘I can be an emotional wreck at times and at other times I can be ferocious and courageous.
‘Other times I’m full of happiness. That’s just being a human being isn’t it? It’s certainly being me.’
Pendleton had to deal with the break-up of her five-year marriage to Scott Gardner, a performance scientist and coach for Team GB (pictured together)