"The better the race, the more i wanted to die" Casey Stoner discusses recent anxiety diagnosis...

[@davidevans336]

Casey was one of the best and its heart breaking to hear how he really suffered. It helps other people to deal with their issues when we talk about it. Top guy, and really awesome rider. Thanks for the podcast.

[@p3ggy80]

I was at the Donnington MotoGP in 08 when Casey won. I have always been a Rossi fan and as a brit it was easy to paint Casey the Aussi as the pantomime bad guy. I watched all the riders go through turns 2. Casey from the off in practice was clearly the fastest and on another level. I can still feel the hairs standing up on my neck with him going round that corner the bike cranked so far over. It was truly incredible. He won in dominant fashion and then we all booed him. Again because he was seen and the grumpy Australian. I booed him and gave him the thumbs down on the victory lap. Casey, I had no idea what you were going through and I am truly sorry. Watching you riding a MotoGP bike in person was a privilege and I hope you get better and live a long, strong and happy life. Fingers crossed they find out it is a virus or something that causes CFS like MS and can be treated.

[@humandroid53]

Why would you boo a winner?

[@vladimirzimonja8103]

Yep,he steers the bike with the rear tyre,his riding style is on another level.

[@RadioSnivins]

@@humandroid53 Don't boo shame him

[@darrendoolan4906]

He and his wife would shop where I worked we gave them their space to shop and they were so nice and pleasant. He truly is a star.

[@bernardcucuz3315]

When he retired it was hard to understand why. After watching this, good for you Casey wish you all the best.

[@JCVantage1]

Same, I love sports and MotoGP was my first "love". When Casey retired I was like 13/14 so it was also weired for me to see him retire young (especially cause most my family was a Rossi fan who's carrer was almost longer than my life). I was always happy that at least I got to witness his whole carrer, but after watching this I'm just happy he's good and didn't push himself to a darker place

[@gweflj]

I used think he was really arrogant. I had no idea he was nervous. I’m pleased to stand corrected. Seems like a lovely, down to earth guy, who was obviously immense on a bike.

[@pauloshea3741]

I thought the same about Casey, and Dani Pedrosa, they turned out to be 2 of the nicest people you could ever meet!

[@jeffestrada6857]

He was and is arrogant. The worst sportsman in Australian history 👎👎👎

[@roobysoho]

@@jeffestrada6857 WTF ?

[@waynedafter6705]

@@jeffestrada6857 If you were ever an actual sportsman...that would be you.

[@MrTweaksTV]

@@jeffestrada6857 very unsportsman-like assertion pal

[@straightnobraker4677]

I love the technical way he talks about taking corners. Super interesting stuff. Love this podcast

[@winstonsmith8240]

We used to call him 'Stoner the moaner.' My god, could we have been more wrong?! Fantastic rider who overcame ridiculous odds. Wow. Talk about guts.

[@woooster17]

Goes to show, never assume everyone’s got their shit together.. you don’t know what’s going on in their head. I would also hate all the media attention, crowds etc.. I could imagine if I was someone like Casey (world class rider), I would be having conversations in my head..leading a race, “crap, if I win I will be centre of attention and will have to give press interviews..but if I finish 4th, I can run straight to my motor home” Mental health is finally be taking seriously.. Great to hear Casey speak candidly

[@yamahakid450f]

Yup, being a professional athlete doesn't mean their mentally healthy like they are physically... it just means they've got something their highly skilled at and they've worked at it but it means nothing on the mental health aspect.. you can't judge someone by what you see during interviews, especially athletes, because that's never the real them. What I've learned from actors, the people who seem the nicest on camera are usually the biggest assholes, the ones with a mean person shtick like Daniel Tosh or someone are usually the nicest... he's actually got horrible social anxiety, you wouldn't know it by what you see but he's super nice and has issues socially..more people struggle with mental illness to different degrees than those that have zero issues, but everyone thinks they're alone, weird, and no one will understand what you're going through... the biggest fear is telling someone and being judged and then the situation becomes even worse. People need someone, even just one person to talk to about didficult topics, it can change so much and potentially save a lot of lives. The one good thing about 2022 society wise is mental illness is becoming less and less taboo, there's more resources, and people are becoming more accepting and people are realizing most people struggle to a degree and they aren't alone, just realizing the simple fact you aren't alone is a huge thing.

[@Meckiffe1976]

Certainly appreciate the insights as to Stoner's internal mental state; but as a MotoGP fan, the explanations of how the "fear" drove him to come up with those incredible sliding techniques for Phillip Island and Valencia, gave us an unexpected window on specifically why he was so great.

[@slamonfpv]

What an incredible achievement to not just beat everyone else but your own head with the mind demons we all get sounds like casey had some heavy shit going on.

[@lunitikk]

I can't get enough of listening to Casey talk about everything going on (and in his head) when going through the turns. Great stuff!

[@patrickarchibald6787]

The way Casey slides a bike, one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. I've watched over and over short clips of him sliding. Thanks for entertaining us for so many years Casey.

[@jamesgeorge4874]

I know how this feels. Sometimes you need to take a step back, but the fear of dissapointing others, especially on a team, or family drives you farther away from just putting the weight down. Props for putting it out there. Mad respect for anyone who performs at the championship level.

[@jmurphy3350]

Glad I stumbled on these podcasts. Casey was a god like many before him. Amazing to hear these guys talk about anxiety levels that were just off the charts when everyone thinks they’re robots who can just turn it on. I’ll always remember how dominant he was but never got the credit for being the most talented rider on the grid for several years.

[@midnightcowboy3611]

Casey was the best in my opinion, that fact that he has a much deeper character than you’d think makes him even better.

[@corex72]

You still did it and were the best, that says a lot about your resilience.

[@farqsideways5679]

This reminds me of something Guy Martin said after he retired from super bikes. He said that he had lost the enjoyment and was no longer willing to die for the sport.

[@samieb155]

Arrogants often covers various hidden weaknesses. I know about it because, I used it previously to cover up my lack of confidence I had in life in general. Always knew CS27 was good, just never knew how Good he really was until he retired. Oh he’s right too, you can only do what you can do. Hats off to CS27, he’s enjoying life on his terms. 👍👍

[@MrGutfeeling]

The anxiety he had to deal with is crazy. You would think all teams would have a psychologist as part of the team. It's a pretty bizarre situation these people are in to deal with. Also interesting talking about the fear. Christian Sarron said a similar thing, he would throw up from the fear, but he pushed on anyway. Amazing.

[@jackpassfield9141]

A lot of elite athletes have sports psychologists! It's all a mental game at the end of the day

[@johndon5637]

Casey fucking Stoner …. There is no more of a man on a motogp bike and no more of a legend off the bike. Great interview Jase. All love Casey .. did it your own way Made me proud to be Australian when you were racing

[@DanielFreakinAwesome2]

I get terrible anxiety attacks that literally come out of nowhere, i can be fine doing something, then all of a sudden i get lightheaded, dizzy and anxious. I can't imagine jumping on a bloody GP bike after that.. Casey really is an inspiration and champion.

[@EpicMotorcycleAdventures]

I watched Casey race and thought he was fast as fook on the Gresini Honda. Then he was amazing to watch on the Ducati. However. I thought he was a bit of a whinger. I read his book. Thought he whinged a lot. But I always respected his massive talent. Now listening to what he had to go through has put light on what I initially thought was whinging, and was just him struggling with what he was going through internally. I’m actually glad I was wrong. His retirement was the right thing for his health.

[@danielkim9587]

I've never heard Casey stoner give an interview and I've never heard the interviewer but yhe way you guys are so honest, articulate, clear, and able to understand and with no pretense, this is one of the most refreshing, insightful, and best interviews I've ever heard. And to the interviewer you do an amazing job, the way you listen, understand, and ask genuine questions 🤙

[@tomp538]

Very well explained. Interviewers should strive to be as articulate as Casey Stoner.

[@bpeezy]

Wow! This is like therepy for me. Self reflecting with my own issues.

[@austinhorna124]

Sounds like his chronic fatigue is essentially his nervous system crashing after a career like that with anxiety. Not a doctor just sounds right lol.

[@garysergeant9086]

Have alot of respect for Casey.Now even more being so candid

[@mathewlukose7522]

Huge respect to you Casey. You struggled internally. Mental health balancing approach

[@tadstertrolley7770]

Telling people you have an anxiety diagnosis and having to deal with it is probably one of the gutsiest things Casey has done, it's such a horrible beast. Respect.

[@francescd4827]

I was a Rossi fan against Casey when I was a teenager and was lucky to saw them racing here in Valencia. Now I think Casey was the most talented rider ever and regret not supporting him. ❤️ (PS: I think he means turn 4 instead of turn 3, cause turn 4 is the fist right-hander in Valencia)

[@jonnyg.5778]

Philip Islands mate👍😉

[@francescd4827]

@@jonnyg.5778 after that he talks about turn 3 in Valencia, which I think he means turn 4, known to be hard as it is the first right-hander.

[@krunokb24]

@@francescd4827 he does mean turn 3 in Valencia, fast lefthander

[@francescd4827]

@@krunokb24 yeah, now i've listened again and it makes sense!

[@forddriver8827]

'to be a fly on the wall in your mind'

[@mtbmtbmtb1]

What a legend. I so grateful that you shared this as someone who has had the same issues. You can only do what you can do🙏

[@RUAV2TWIN]

You don`t always appreciate the way stress affects your hero`s. They seem indestructible and with their ability they have the world at their feet. So to hear the troubles and physical / mental stress Casey Stoner went through is humbling. Total respect to his achievements.

[@waynebernitt2806]

Thank you guys for having the courage to speak about anxiety and depression I've was born with it and keep it a secret for most of my life. There is still a stigma and those That ridicule us. The world lost two of the best musician's Chester Bennington & Chris's Cornell to depression. It's just the tip of the iceberg. Great chat great job. I wish both of you Only the best. Thanks again

[@simon9447]

Hi Jason, I absolutely love your interviews. You do a great job. I hope you don't mind me making a comment? I have noticed a few times that your preamble to a question can go on for a bit long I think. It has the effect of introducing a little bit of confusion into the mind of the person being interviewed. They possibly find themselves thinking , "where's this going"? I noticed that others have pointed it out with one guy being rude about it. You are doing great mate, your style on the whole is fantastic. I hope you received this with the good intent I have mentioned it. Cheers, Simon.

[@tamarab.7812]

I agree. There was way too much preamble.

[@marcfletcher4980]

Thank you for giving us as much you did. Legend.

[@maximkaye6891]

One of the most genuine and relatable dudes you’ll ever come across - absolute super star regular Aussie guy - legend

[@derekbentley334]

Functional high anxiety will literally work yourself into the ground.

[@ringmasterjeb3453]

Casey is a Legend , I wish he was still racing today at his peak because to watch him against the new crop you can only judge off the timer. He was in my opinion with the best years I ever saw. God Bless this guy.

[@suntzuwarsword1964]

Awesome podcast...complete respect for Casey..one of the best ever on two wheels. I can relate... i was very good at my chosen sports but i didnt like the egos, arrogance and concieted attitudes... i didnt particularly enjoy winning..hated acceptance speachess..anxieties made me sick...i didn't like the pressure either so i bowed out and felt better for it..

[@sailingmurdina]

Its hard for me to understand anxiety and how severely it affects peoples day to day lives but listening to Caseys honest description of what he went through gives me a better understanding. Also from this podcast I appreciate what a brave, skillful and intelegent competitor he was.

[@damianj4700]

What a really nice bloke.. Shame he didn't continue in the sport, as he would have been a great ambassador, role model for the sport

[@georgiedodson2064]

Thank you Casey for sharing your experience with anxiety and the struggles you had during your career as a rider, we need more sports people talking about their anxiety, demons, etc but I also greatly appreciate the fact you have been very open about your health chronic pain/back pain and ME/CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome). I have ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia, Polymyalgia and chronic pain due back issues.

[@Farque007]

Love Casey. Ty my bro for being you ❤️

[@maaduece5132]

That's a wild level of stress to have all that anxiety around the paddock stuff and still go out and settle your mind enough to ride at that level

[@wytd41]

I don’t watch a lot of Motogp but I find it fascinating. Fearless is the only way to describe these riders, but when Casey explained how he was nervous every turn and how he said anxiety got the best of him, how letting people down got to him, etc. it makes me feel normal, like the things that I’m chasing are possible to achieve. All these people at the top have these fears but choose not to let it rule them. As he said “his will to win was bigger than his fear.” Preciate it Casey, God bless brother. 🤍

[@SilkLotus]

You both rock. Depression and axiety are real and impossible for most and extremely difficult for others to control. I think a lot of motorsport riders suffer from it.... riding/driving is our release and a way we dont have to think while were in the act.

[@johnblenkin2078]

Jase, you're great at what you do. For what that's worth to you! Loved the Danny Ric podcast too!

[@GYPSYTALES]

Thanks mate! Appreciate that!

[@vladimirzimonja8103]

Great stuff. He actually let us all in into secrets most riders would never reveal but he did and i am truly honored to hear some riding tips from one of the best ever. Hope he gets better. I wish him 85% every day.👍👍

[@hyperrhino9258]

What a more impressive athlete for making his incredible struggle public.

[@MajorDook1]

As someone who used to have very bad anxiety (more under control now), I can see how his anxiety would've contributed and possibly caused all his other health issues. Anxiety is an absolute beast and like him I didn't know that's what it was until a doctor told me and then it all made sense.

[@ninoellison7793]

Please try asking more in-depth questions of your guests rather than talking so much yourself. It’s a great way to counteract your nervousness! For example, I would love to have heard more from Casey about his anxiety disorder and when and how it was diagnosed...

[@Michael_Lorenson]

Anxiety has done wonders to keep me alive in motorsports, because it keeps me from being careless. It may seem an odd combination, anxiety plus an intentional risk-taking activity. But, if you are normally anxious anyway, at least that feeling is justified and useful when you're taking risks. So racing feels 'normal', if that makes sense. Usually, you are overly concerned about most things, whereas in racing you need all the intense focus you can muster to perform well and get everything home in one piece.

[@humandroid53]

The anxiety is not actually related to your riding ability so when you are riding you are in your fosussed happy place.

[@motorlover2126]

This one segment was MASSIVELY helpful, thank you Jase

[@TheCaptainmojo1973]

Motorcycle racing is one of, if not the most, dangerous, thrilling, stressful, and competitive sports on Earth. Brain activity data of riders while in competition has been compared to those of fighter pilots engaged in active combat, and found to be identical. It takes a tremendous amount of mental fortitude as well as all the necessary physical capabilities to be successful. Just like a combat situation, some people are just more capable of dealing with the stress than others.

[@corex72]

That’s amazing, fear made you learn to ride to eliminate risk. And it made you faster. 🤘🤘

[@C_R_O_M________]

Great discussion. Thanks a lot! When Casey said (in referring to the ongoing internal dialogue we sometimes have) "the left side of the brain", I literally said "WOW!", meaning how did he knew that! See, I've studied psychology and the main thing that drew me to this field was a study that ended up winning the Nobel prize in neuro-anatomy and it was non other than the series of split-brain studies by Roger Sperry. Casey is right, the left side of the brain is the "talking side" (a great portion of language abilities reside in the Brocca's area, at the side of the left hemisphere, that's why language ability is affected when a brain stroke affects the left brain around that area). In actuality we are actually talking about two distinct brains as they are two completely separate structures that are only connected via the corpus callosum, a bundle of nerves in between them, the only bridge that connects them - this is what Sperry severed in epileptic patients and the aftermath discoveries were astonishing! How about one hand protecting the wife that your other hand tries to hit? These kind of weird phenomena took place after the disconnection (corpus callosotomy) of one brain with the other. This is a part of science that I find extremely fascinating. For anyone interested, watch the TED talk by neuropsychologist/anatomist Jill Bolte Taylor who happened to suffer a massive stroke in her left hemisphere. What she (self)observed thereafter was astonishing. We are dumping a certain perception of reality in favor of another (basically residing in the left hemisphere that human civilizations tend to empower and encourage). We are becoming less and less right hemispheric dominant. Therefore global stupidity entails.

[@trque0fthedevil]

Chats like this is exactly why Jack wants Casey as his rider coach!

[@phillysslydogsly4186]

This is so cool, hearing the thought process of how Casey managed risk is sweet! Thought the slides were for show haha

[@KIPMoto]

Always thought Casey was a winer. Hearing what he went through in his own words has changed my (meaningless) opinion. It all makes a lot more sense now how he completely dominated on a motorcycle that 2 other former world champions basically dubbed unrideable. I would like to see and hear more about Casey like when he cracked that smile at 9:48 on this video to explain how he rode that Duc! He is one of the greatest of all time and maybe the very best but somehow that's been smugged over......

[@GYPSYTALES]

I'll be sure to ask him that the next time he is on mate!

[@philipbrown2514]

Yep

[@andrewd7586]

This is what makes us all unique! No carbon copies to follow. I saw Casey at The Island over his career, like a lot of us, & he was just the maestro! No one knows what any of us struggle with day in day out, but the individual him or herself. We are complicated creatures aren’t we? 👏🏼

[@nigeleharis5886]

BMX racer here. Thank you for this.

[@grahamcashmore6926]

He may not have been perfect chatter box in front of the camera but boy did he let his riding do the talking !

[@jamesvozar1]

Super cool discussion likes and subbed mate, as someone with chronic anxiety i found this really positive too listen too. Your a really talented interviewer.

[@hernanhernandez3861]

Amazing what Casey was able to accomplish despite the issues he went thru.

[@neomaxi_zoomdweebi]

Brilliant interview as usual. This channel needs more subs.

[@vladimirzimonja8103]

Yes i also stand corrected also thought that the guy was arrogant but i discovered that he is actually totaly ok and for some time now i know he has CFS and i fully totaly agree with what he said about MotoGP nowadays,the wings,the riding aids-get rid of the lot,bring two strokes back! I am fully with him in all those matters.

[@infinitexsound6087]

Sounds like Casey was a super nice introverted guy…. Glad he made out of it. And grew from it.

[@rearwheelslider]

He was the most talented of all to ever play the game.

[@larryegilman1]

He was incredible and his technical explanations of his approach to riding are incredibly insightful. I can understand his internal conflicts creating the hell he experienced. I cannot understand why he found it necessary to disparage other riders, like Nicki Hayden for example, saying Haden was incapable of advising Ducati how to make the bike rideable, waiting for Rossi to join Ducati to do so. Commenting about a rider that I cannot remember making any disparaging remarks about anyone or team. And, Rossi couldn’t solve the issues either. ( likely the team or management were to arrogant to accept suggestions from Haden or Rossi.) aside from that I appreciate his openness now.

[@wildcard5740]

Im didn't had an idea of how great he (Stoner) was, when he was an active rider. I'm simply was one of that guy's who sit in front of the TV and saw an arrogant rider how was used to ride far over his limit to win races. Thanks to this Podcast it turns out that i was wrong in so many points.

[@LanceLumbanPHI]

I just discovered this channels and it is so damn good. Listening all the way from the Philippines man. Awesome work!

[@strangelove9608]

Casey, just THE MAN !

[@humandroid53]

Gee, it's a wonder he lasted as long as he did! Good mantra. Small things like that really help.

[@MrPADDYOT]

Loving this whole series!!

[@JaredHIll13]

Wow that corner 3 routine Casey explained is intense... 5th gear... lol

[@tezzrterry7485]

He was dirt tracking the bike at over 270 kph, basically.

[@henrychinaski8554]

Wow always thought Stoner was a stone cold machine

[@tokoloshgolem]

Casey’s a riding genius

[@robsonvonbrum1618]

6:00 That is the derealization/depersonalization kind of talk that I get when I smoke too much weed. I don't mean that I get it when I"m stoned, but I get it because I've been smoking daily. After 2-3 weeks of not smoking, that goes away and I start feeling like myself.

[@kawi704racing]

When I get an anxiety attack my hands shake, I feel sick. It's terrible.

[@tezzrterry7485]

Great video. Every sport pretty much becomes a mind game, at the elite level. Golf, tennis, chess, motor racing, etc, all become a battle of minds, once the athlete is able to physically compete at the top.

[@rybackracing8075]

It’s easy to underestimate the mental torture athletes put themselves through in order to compete at the highest level. Having an innate talent is one thing but dealing with all the other pressures must take its toll. Thinking about Nico Rosberg retiring after winning the championship, he admitted he had to go to such lengths to achieve his dream that he knew he couldn’t sustain it, so quit.

[@lemoinexavier]

More and more my respect after each video..

[@jeremyjs8863]

Very helpful. Fascinating race-craft was a bonus.

[@davidvanbrunt4233]

Wow.... surprised he stayed in GP that long with the types of issues he had...rough !!!

[@quartusbuys6831]

Few people realize how good he really was.

[@quartusbuys6831]

He became World Champion on a Ducati that not one of other world champions could do after him. That is Rossi and Lorenzo.

[@bluebagger1262]

@@quartusbuys6831 Don't forget Nicky Hayden.

[@quartusbuys6831]

@@bluebagger1262 Don't recall Nicky Haden on a Ducati

[@bluebagger1262]

@@quartusbuys6831 Hayden rode for the Ducati factory team from 2009 to 2013. He had three podiums, one in each of his first three years with Ducati, and he never won a race for Ducati. In 2010 he finished the season in 7th position in the world championship, which was his highest finish for Ducati.

[@quartusbuys6831]

@@bluebagger1262 Rings a bell now. Know he was a test rider for Ducati at the time he passed away in a bicycle accident involving a vehicle. Sorry Alzheimers is a nasty condition 😜.

[@kevinmccaffrey2471]

Stoner what have been a 10x world champ if he had a way to loose that anxiety ..

[@jmal1824]

no one else handled a Ducati like Stoner could till Dovizioso. Brilliant rider. It's a different beast from the hondas and Yams. Suzi's are different again. Respect to the gladiators who ride and try to tame these animals.

[@Kisyfurr]

I found ya with the Doohan podcast. Now this one, good channel bro 🤙🤙🤙 You interview well

[@flipper323]

Hint for better description: the anxiety doesn't care about heritage (europeon /american).

[@RIISK04]

As a Rossi fan, naturally I didn't like Casey. But after this, I feel like I relate more to him than any rider.

[@preichy]

Radiohead, Optimistic. You can try the best you can. You can try the best you can. The best you can is good enough!

[@Flip01]

Great content Jase💪🔥

[@xxjennajamesxy]

Dang, what an intelligent, likable, good looking person.

[@Goodfellas900]

Anxiety is so devastating... It's not a psychological issue, it's caused by viruses like EBV that stress the nervous system. Casey is a real hero.

[@panzerfaust7476]

What sucks is that you can’t tell people about this, otherwise your competition will use it against you. They won’t feel sorry for you; they want to win. Maybe this is what Kenny was dealing with somewhat last year. Webb would even line up next to him during qualifying just to get in his head. Kenny may just have too much pressure on him, among other riders as well. I know I didn’t sleep hardly at all the night before a race.

[@daveo9844]

Absolute legend. Shame he was unable to have fun with the racing and play the game with the media.

[@Br4m76]

Apart from Rossi, he is the second rider who could get double champion with two different manufacturer in this motogp era. While on the other hand he needs to struggle with the anxiety. That's insane!!

[@michaelwong5356]

I now understand why his wife looked so worried in the pits. The picture of Stoner softly kissing his daughter before going out on his Ducati now tells a thousand stories

[@darinsullaphen4683]

Casey is amazing but the interviewer needs to increase his vocabulary- perhaps try to mirror Casey's... lol- Casey was so entertaining and boasts an incredible personality- what a bloke!!!

[@brianmeuse7595]

Good, straight racing talk.