A Real Talk with Olympian Emmet Brennan
A Real Talk with Olympian Emmet Brennan
We sat down with the Irish boxer to talk life after the Olympics, second chances and chasing your dreams. Let's get into it!
On this week’s episode of the Real Talks podcast, we spoke with Olympian Emmet Brennan, days after he made his US debut in New York City’s Sony Hall, and came out victorious.
It was a big moment for the Irish boxer, beyond the win in NYC. As we discuss in the interview, it was New York City where Emmet hit his post-Olympics rock bottom with alcohol. He’s now two years sober, and spoke with such honesty about his journey.
We discussed so many facets of the Olympics with Emmet - the decision to chase that dream, the crash after.
Alan and Emmet discussed the struggles Emmet and many fellow Olympians face after the games. There are studies and articles about Olympians’ mental health, especially in the aftermath, thanks to athletes like Emmet speaking about their experiences.
As you can see in the pictures, Emmet still had a black eye from his fight. Despite the win, he spoke about how he wasn’t fully happy with his performance.
He told Alan and MK that he wished he didn’t have the black eye, but that’s part of the game. He explained it through the quote below - which we love.
At one point in the conversation, Emmet referenced his emotional interview that went viral in the immediate aftermath of competing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Games.
It’s worth the watch. It’s hard not to get emotional watching Emmet in the moments after his Olympic fight. His passion is obvious, and on display.
Emmet also touched on the meaning behind the poem ”The Man in the Glass,” which encapsulates a lot of his philosophy, and is available at the post above. It’s a poem adapted from the original “The Guy in the Glass” from the 1930s.
MK wrapped up the conversation with some ideas from the amazing author and director Julia Cameron, known for her book “The Artist’s Way.”
Cameron writes about themes Emmet discussed, including making the choice to change your life, to do something you’ve always wanted to do, to follow your dreams.
Emmet talked about deciding to go all out for the Olympics, which happened in his mid-twenties, after he had taken an extended break from boxing. Alan, Emmet and MK talked about choosing to make a life-changing decision at any age.
Especially after talking with Emmet, this quote from Cameron rings so true:
“‘But do you know how old I will be by the time I learn to really play the piano/act/paint/write a decent play?’"
“Yes . . . the same age you will be if you don't.”
― Julia Cameron, The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity
We can’t say it better than that, so we’ll leave it here. We’re so grateful to have had the time and space to reflect with Emmet Brennan. We hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did. See you next week!
-MK and Alan