Being a Celebrity Athlete: The Perils and Opportunities of Fame

Just as fame provides athletes with the reach to promote social causes and serve as role models, it can also enable a distorted self-image and destructive, risky behaviors. Psychoanalyst Stanley Teitelbaum has spoken and written extensively on the realities of being a celebrity athlete. Drawing on his clinical experience and research, he’ll discuss the impact of hero workshop on athletes, and the prevalence of domestic violence and mental health issues. He will also address some of the difficulties that athletes encounter after retirement, providing guidance for sports stars and their communities on overcoming and avoiding potential perils of fame. In increasing awareness of these vulnerabilities, Dr. Teitelbaum offers a deeper understanding of, and empathy for the celebrity experience, encouraging athletes to speak more openly about, and seek the help they need. We’ll also identify the types of resources that can contribute to wellbeing both before and after sports.