Driven by Demons: Bipolar Olympian-bookcover

By: Tim Crooks

Driven by Demons: Bipolar Olympian

Pages: 294 Ratings:
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This is the remarkable story of a young man battling intense mood swings, who turns to physical risk and his exceptional talent for rowing and sculling to keep depression at bay. For years, he struggles without understanding the true nature of his condition.

His journey is at times amusing, at times desperate, but always deeply human. As he carves out a name for himself in the world of amateur rowing, his unpredictable and often outrageous behavior unsettles his crewmates. Yet, despite the chaos, he achieves extraordinary triumphs – competing in five World Rowing Championships, two Olympic Games, and winning seven Henley Regatta titles, including the prestigious Diamond Sculls.

But the same challenges that once saved him eventually lead to his downfall. When he reaches his lowest point, feeling as though he has lost everything, his long search for stability truly begins.


“We thought he felt no pain.”

Hugh Matheson

 

Tim’s younger brother, on reading a draft:

“What is it, a confession or an excuse?”

Tim Crooks was brought up in Surrey vicarages and educated in independent schools. He excelled at rowing and sculling on the Thames, served an apprenticeship with BSA Motorcycles, raced motocross bikes and, as a member of the GB rowing team for eight years, earned a string of medals, including an Olympic Silver. Tim has worked primarily as an engineer and teacher, and also as an artist blacksmith and landscaper. He is married with children and grandchildren.
When he was a teenager, his emotions – especially anger and depression – puzzled him. Years later, he was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and the broad knowledge of the disorder now qualifies him to write about the illness, his life, and his sport.

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