#18 - Unsinkable: Silken Laumann on Mindset, Mental Health, and the Power of Real Resilience

We normalize overwork and silence around mental health—until something breaks. Silken helps people and organizations replace stigma and “go-it-alone” toughness with honest stories, practical coping skills, and communities that make recovery and resilience possible. In today’s conversation Silken Laumann explores how mindset, community, and compassionate honesty turn impossible moments into turning points. She revisits her 1992 comeback in Barcelona and the mental health journey that followed, including anxiety, depression, and the decision to ask for help. Silken shares daily practices—breathwork, meditation, and Morning Pages—that stabilize a “big life” of family, speaking, writing, and service. We also dive into Unsinkable, her storytelling platform that helps people move from struggle to hope. You will learn how a clear purpose and fierce focus can override doubt in acute crises; why mental health exists on a spectrum (not a label) and how to recognize situational vs. chronic patterns; the nuts and bolts of Silken’s morning routine (20 minutes of breath-focused meditation and journaling); and how sharing your story—within a trusted community—can reduce shame and accelerate healing. You will discover that the same focus that wins medals can also hide pain—and that sustainable strength starts when you tell the truth, ask for help, and practice small daily resets (breathe, notice, write). When life gets loud—careers, caregiving, travel, expectations—it’s easy to white-knuckle through exhaustion and call it resilience. Silken’s approach replaces stoicism with skills and support so you can keep your edge without losing your health or relationships.