🎙️ EPISODE 16 – KHALIL THOMPSON INTERVIEW

The Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts.

Olympic fencer Khalil Thompson shares his raw, unfiltered journey from struggling with depression and living in his sister's shadow to finding his own identity through sport. This powerful conversation explores the mental health challenges elite athletes face, the pressure of Olympic dreams, and how fencing became both an outlet for anger and a path to self-discovery.
Khalil discusses his decade-long journey to his first NAC victory, the pivotal role of mentor Peter Westbrook, and his experience at the Tokyo Olympics. From considering quitting the sport to finding renewal through teaching fencing in West Africa, this episode reveals the hidden struggles behind athletic excellence and the importance of speaking up about mental health.

You'll hear:

• How fencing became therapy during a mental health crisis
• Breaking free from sibling comparison and family expectations
• The reality of Olympic dreams vs. practical goals
• Why speaking about mental health struggles is crucial for athletes

This episode dives deep into the mental health aspects of athletic pursuit, the importance of representation in Olympic sports, and how finding the right community can transform a young person's entire trajectory. Whether you're a fencing enthusiast, aspiring Olympian, or someone seeking inspiration about overcoming personal challenges, Khalil's story delivers powerful lessons about persistence, identity, and the unexpected paths to greatness.

⏱ Chapters

[00:00:00] – Welcome Back and Guest Introduction
[00:02:30] – Khalil's Resume
[00:06:24] – The Beginning: From Ballet to Fencing
[00:12:21] – Early Olympic Inspiration
[00:14:10] – Foundation Training and Mentorship
[00:23:58] – Overcoming Fear and Building Confidence
[00:28:23] – Mental Health Crisis and Seeking Help
[00:35:43] – The Ten-Year Journey to First NAC Victory
[00:45:43] – Breaking the Silence: Speaking About Depression
[00:52:20] – Olympic Qualification Struggles and COVID Impact
[00:55:42] – Finding Creative Expression Through Photography
[01:08:30] – Finding Purpose Beyond Competition
[01:16:08] – Building Resilience Through Small Wins
[01:29:00] – Peter Westbrook Foundation Impact
[01:31:29] – One Light Rapid Fire Questions
[01:43:45] – Final Thoughts and Appreciation

💬 Quotes

"It's really easy to just not remember like the accomplishments you have as an athlete, especially when you're not always thinking like, it's just not there yet"
"We're all in this together. Even though it's a very, very lonely journey at times in your head"
"If you want to achieve a dream, you have to be delusional. And I struggled with being delusional for a very long time"
"When you talk about an issue, you start realizing like how much something so small can impact your life"

Thank you for listening!

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