This is Episode 290 of The In-Person Limitless Podcast with Nick Jonsson, and we are honored to welcome Sterling, a 71 year old athlete and a man whose resilience will stay with you long after the episode ends. Nick meets Sterling in Phuket, where they train together in the pool and the ocean. What begins as a warm conversation between swim buddies quickly becomes something deeper. Sterling shares what happened during the pandemic, and he does not hide the truth. He lost his mother during COVID, under painful circumstances. Lockdowns removed the social connection and daily routines that had helped her thrive. Sterling was not able to return home, and the family was never able to have a proper funeral. Grief did not get its rightful place. Then came another wave. Sterling’s partner of eight years suffered a severe schizophrenic breakdown. Sterling describes the fear that comes with watching someone you love lose their mental capacity, and the heartbreaking reality of reaching the limit of what you can do. Shortly after, he experienced a serious motorcycle accident, broken ribs, a punctured lung, pneumonia, and time in ICU. Sterling explains what many people know but rarely admit out loud. When grief is blocked and trauma stacks up, the mind can fall into a dark place. He shares that he sank into a deep depression, could not get off the sofa, could not eat, and isolated. He also shares what scared him most. The thought that suicide might be a way out. This is where the episode becomes a lifeline for anyone who has struggled quietly. Sterling names the turning point. Connection. He shares how his 12 step program became his safety net. Even in the depths of depression, he kept showing up. He learned to be vulnerable in a space with no judgment. He cried openly in meetings, and people supported him simply by staying present. He also shares how responsibility saved him, because he had to chair the Saturday meeting, no matter how he felt. Routine became a bridge back to life. Sterling offers a clear warning and a clear path. Isolating completely during a dark time is a death wish. He emphasizes that connection does not have to be a 12 step program. It can be a men’s group, a community, an online circle, or small moments of human contact that get you out of the room and back into the world. From there, the conversation shifts into the role of sport, discipline, and tribe. Sterling explains how joining a coaching group in Phuket changed his life. He talks about rigorous physical activity and the impact on mental wellbeing, the motivation of measurable progress, and the joy he finds in the ocean. He shares his competitive goals at 71, including his desire not only to win in his age bracket, but to swim faster than people ten years younger. Nick and Sterling bring it home with a message that is simple and unforgettable. Dig deep for that twinkle because there is a twinkle. Please do not isolate. Never give up. Never, never, never give up. If you are looking for a podcast episode about depression recovery, grief, loneliness, men’s mental health, 12 step support, community, and the healing power of sport, this conversation is for you. Connect with Sterling to collaborate with him: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sterling.lefevre 🎧 Find more episodes on our website: nickjonsson.com/limitless-podcast
