Gemini Posted April 29, 2014 Report Share Posted April 29, 2014 Whilst wishing Lewis all the best sorting out his depression I wouldn't think any of the above riders are on or have ever been on a 'special diet', except perhaps Tai as he looks the fittest of the lot? (At least he did do until he decided to keep changing the way he looks.) That's perhaps half the problem with English riders and why the likes of Nielsen, Mauger, Pedersen, Hancock etc. reach the top of their profession and stay there for years whereas they don't. I would also think Polish riders are under a lot more pressure to perform as they get dropped pretty quickly if they're not scoring well. Just my opinion. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E I Addio Posted April 29, 2014 Report Share Posted April 29, 2014 Whilst wishing Lewis all the best sorting out his depression I wouldn't think any of the above riders are on or have ever been on a 'special diet', except perhaps Tai as he looks the fittest of the lot? (At least he did do until he decided to keep changing the way he looks.) Well we know Tai is, and I know that Lewis is because he told me last year. I don't know about the others but at the top level the sport is all about keeping your BMI down. How do you think it is that all those that get to the top look so skinny these days? Look at them without their kevlars on and see how skinny their legs are. Freddie Lindgren was talking about it in Speedway Star a couple of years ago. He said some riders are virtually starving themselves to keep their weight down. Admittedly a lot of these diets they have are very hi-tech and scientifically calculated and I might be totally wrong about it but with Freddie talking about it I just wonder if some bodies are not cut out for it. Who knows. The general point is that its easy for us to find fault from a distance and jump to conclusions but we don't really know what goes on in riders lives and why some suddenly start underperforming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crangy Posted April 29, 2014 Report Share Posted April 29, 2014 I suffered from post natal depression for 2-3 years, it was the medication that sorted me out in the end, took all that time though! hes not up the duff.just needs afew good meetings and thats the best medication for LBR.but a mate of mine got tablets for depression and couldnt drive his car.bcos the doc said the medication was to strong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruiser McHuge Posted April 29, 2014 Report Share Posted April 29, 2014 Well we know Tai is, and I know that Lewis is because he told me last year. I don't know about the others but at the top level the sport is all about keeping your BMI down. How do you think it is that all those that get to the top look so skinny these days? Look at them without their kevlars on and see how skinny their legs are. Freddie Lindgren was talking about it in Speedway Star a couple of years ago. He said some riders are virtually starving themselves to keep their weight down. Admittedly a lot of these diets they have are very hi-tech and scientifically calculated and I might be totally wrong about it but with Freddie talking about it I just wonder if some bodies are not cut out for it. Who knows. The general point is that its easy for us to find fault from a distance and jump to conclusions but we don't really know what goes on in riders lives and why some suddenly start underperforming. Blimey, things have changed......in my days the riders had a couple of pints in the bar after the meeting and then it was the chippy or KFC in the van ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Smith Posted April 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2014 hes not up the duff.just needs afew good meetings and thats the best medication for LBR.but a mate of mine got tablets for depression and couldnt drive his car.bcos the doc said the medication was to strong. If only depression worked like that. Unfortunately depending on the issues race wins are irrelevant, he has to be in the right place personally. Despression, regardless of severity is a life long battle but once you get help the first time it makes it easier to understand and deal with in the future as you'll seek help far quicker. Depression still today is seen as a joke, regularly told to 'just snap out of it', 'grow up you're not a child now' etc. Our little brains are delicate pieces of equipment, look after em' folks 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted April 29, 2014 Report Share Posted April 29, 2014 No I don't suppose he is up the duff ha! Just saying what I believe sorted me out, I hope Lewis isn't clinically depressed and that a bit of psychological help will do the trick! Talking didn't do me any good whatsoever though .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini Posted April 29, 2014 Report Share Posted April 29, 2014 Look at them without their kevlars on and see how skinny their legs are. Can't say I've ever noticed or seen any riders without kevlars on....but I don't mind missing out on that anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitar_art Posted April 30, 2014 Report Share Posted April 30, 2014 I think, given the posts already on this thread, that its safe to say that depression is a very wide spread thing. (Hold my own hand up here.) I hope that Lewis reads this thread because it will help. I know this because I myself am not in a very happy place currently and it has given me a slight lift. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim3751 Posted April 30, 2014 Report Share Posted April 30, 2014 I think, given the posts already on this thread, that its safe to say that depression is a very wide spread thing. (Hold my own hand up here.) I hope that Lewis reads this thread because it will help. I know this because I myself am not in a very happy place currently and it has given me a slight lift. It might be beneficial for Lewis to read threads now but it wasn't after Monday's match when he was getting the usual slagging off. Freddie Flintoff, presented a TV programme about his depression and it included sportsmen like Ricky Hatton Marcus Trescothic and Clarke Carlisle and they said it was the constant pressure of trying to keep up appearances as high profile performers . 2 other riders have been named as possibles already and maybe they're off just off form but while it's our right as paying punters to criticise there must be limits. Physical injuries can be seen. Mental issues can't Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhoundp Posted April 30, 2014 Report Share Posted April 30, 2014 All the best to Lewis, Iv been there and got the T Shirt, its no fun and what works for one person doesnt do the same for another, what i would suggest is that to continue riding wouldnt be the best medicine to take, but whatever way he finds is best for him, good luck. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agrotron Posted April 30, 2014 Report Share Posted April 30, 2014 Whilst wishing Lewis all the best sorting out his depression I wouldn't think any of the above riders are on or have ever been on a 'special diet', except perhaps Tai as he looks the fittest of the lot? (At least he did do until he decided to keep changing the way he looks.) That's perhaps half the problem with English riders and why the likes of Nielsen, Mauger, Pedersen, Hancock etc. reach the top of their profession and stay there for years whereas they don't. I would also think Polish riders are under a lot more pressure to perform as they get dropped pretty quickly if they're not scoring well. Just my opinion. I can tell you now Lewis is and is a very fit guy he takes his fitness very seriously, Lewis has addressed the issue on a social network to his fans which is a huge step and takes guts so hope he gets the help needed and moves forward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spencebel Posted April 30, 2014 Report Share Posted April 30, 2014 All the best to you Lewis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post crazysue Posted April 30, 2014 Popular Post Report Share Posted April 30, 2014 I've been there and tried to hide it for a couple of years which ended in me having a mental breakdown. You've taken the massive step of being open about your problem, so ten out of ten for that. Hang in there mate, you'll come through it. Good luck to you and your family who will be suffering with you. Mike Moseley I was another one who hid my depression and then breakdown from pretty much everyone in the speedway world. I was still trying to carry on as if nothing was wrong and in the end, made myself so much worse. So Lewis has done one better than me in being able to publicly talk about it and for that, kudos to the man, it is a tough thing to admit to. For me, the thing that quite literally saved my life was a select few (all speedway related friends) who worked out something was wrong and insisted on talking to me and making me talk every night via MSN. If it hadn't been for them, I wouldn't be here now...they stopped me taking that final step even though they never realised I was actually thinking about doing it, just them talking about normal things made me stop and think. Recovery was a long road (5 years+) but I have been free of treatment now for approx 3 years and doing well. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted April 30, 2014 Report Share Posted April 30, 2014 I was another one who hid my depression and then breakdown from pretty much everyone in the speedway world. I was still trying to carry on as if nothing was wrong and in the end, made myself so much worse. So Lewis has done one better than me in being able to publicly talk about it and for that, kudos to the man, it is a tough thing to admit to. For me, the thing that quite literally saved my life was a select few (all speedway related friends) who worked out something was wrong and insisted on talking to me and making me talk every night via MSN. If it hadn't been for them, I wouldn't be here now...they stopped me taking that final step even though they never realised I was actually thinking about doing it, just them talking about normal things made me stop and think. Recovery was a long road (5 years+) but I have been free of treatment now for approx 3 years and doing well. I'm still on the Tablets eight years down the line but they work. I hope that Lewis can find something that works for him. Good luck Lewis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
van wolfswinkel Posted April 30, 2014 Report Share Posted April 30, 2014 All the best Lewis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oafski Posted April 30, 2014 Report Share Posted April 30, 2014 Impressive at Rye House tonight. Blasting round the outside on Turn 4 and down the straight right on the fence, looked to be really going for it. Very entertaining. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theknow 2 Posted May 1, 2014 Report Share Posted May 1, 2014 Whilst wishing Lewis all the best sorting out his depression I wouldn't think any of the above riders are on or have ever been on a 'special diet', except perhaps Tai as he looks the fittest of the lot? (At least he did do until he decided to keep changing the way he looks.) That's perhaps half the problem with English riders and why the likes of Nielsen, Mauger, Pedersen, Hancock etc. reach the top of their profession and stay there for years whereas they don't. I would also think Polish riders are under a lot more pressure to perform as they get dropped pretty quickly if they're not scoring well. Just my opinion. Every walk of life has pressure in todays times. Its how you deal with it and speedway riders are no different . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini Posted May 1, 2014 Report Share Posted May 1, 2014 Don't know they are born some of them. Back in my Grandma's day there were no washing machines, computers, T.V., inside toilet, bathroom, living in a two up, two down terraced house and having a baby every other year. That's reason to be depressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JC! Posted May 1, 2014 Report Share Posted May 1, 2014 (edited) Don't know they are born some of them. Back in my Grandma's day there were no washing machines, computers, T.V., inside toilet, bathroom, living in a two up, two down terraced house and having a baby every other year. That's reason to be depressed. Some tired stereotyping there (even if tongue in cheek), an uneducated and crass view genuinely held by so many and a key reason why people keep it to themselves in a majority of cases when they could easily seek help. Edited May 1, 2014 by JC! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini Posted May 1, 2014 Report Share Posted May 1, 2014 If Bridger is genuinely depressed why would he be popping wheelies in his races at Wolverhampton whilst at the back? I'd have thought that was the last thing he would want to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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