REFLECTIONS | ANDY STOBBART

Title

What Andy Stobbart Taught Me About Living With Bipolar

The Story

Diagnosed with bipolar disorder and depression, Andy has lived with hallucinations for most of his life. Despite developing fibromyalgia from years of medication, he continues to push himself—competing in ultra marathons and Ironman events. A powerful story of resilience in the face of ongoing, daily struggle.

Opening

I’ve known Andy for a while. I’ve filmed and interviewed him before, speaking about mental health, so I was aware of some of his challenges, but not the full extent. Sitting down with him, I knew it was going to be a deep conversation.

What Stayed With Me

What stood out most was Andy’s ability to see through things and call them out. Nothing really gets past him. He has a sharp awareness of people and situations, and he’s not afraid to speak on it. Hearing what he deals with on a daily basis was also eye-opening.

The Bigger Reflection

The level of mental strain Andy manages is hard to fully comprehend. Yet he keeps going, continuously working on himself, managing his condition, and pushing forward. In many ways, he’s a lived example of what it means to deal with mental health every single day and still strive for more.

A Line I Won’t Forget

“Antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilisers.”

Hearing that list makes you wonder how anyone functions day to day, but Andy does. He finds a way.

Closing Thought

What I respect most about Andy is his honesty. Everything he’s been through has given him a unique perspective, almost like he sees things differently to most people. He understands his own struggles, deals with them head-on, and doesn’t use them as an excuse. There’s something powerful in that.