Episode #25: Dr Markus Rogan, former 200m Backstroke World Record holder, talks trauma, identity and finding his way in life

Dr Markus Rogan is a former Austrian swimmer and now clinical psychologist. He competed in 4 x Olympic Games, winning silver in the 100m and 200m Backstroke in Athens 2004; became World Short Course Champion in 2008, the year he also broke the World record in the 200m, and was multiple European Champion over his almost 10 year career.

However impressive these achievements are, it is Markus's honesty (and vulnerability) around the trauma's he went through that led to his success, and the fallout that followed that eventually found him in hospital, beaten up after a World Championships party, asking himself the question "Who am I if not a world champion swimmer?" that is the real inspiration. 

In this episode Markus shares his insights into life as an elite performer, the challenges this life brings, and how he found a way to reimagine himself apart from being a swimmer - which eventual led him to his career now as a psychologist.

You can read more about Markus on his website https://drmarkusrogan.com/