Freddie Flintoff’s courageous disclosure of his battle with anxiety inspired many. That fight started only after he survived a life-threatening accident during the taping of the BBC automobile television show, Top Gear. The crash site at the Top Gear test track in Dunsfold Park Aerodrome, Surrey. It led to permanent facial deformity and complicated rib fractures there, leaving him in a long, painful recovery process.
In the months following the crash, Flintoff struggled with debilitating anxiety. Additionally, severe-level flashbacks and nightmares left him homebound for close to six to eight months. During this time, he had to push himself to leave his room, stating, “I had about five or six goes at leaving the room.” It wasn’t only the physical wounds that affected his battle, the mental scars weighed heavily, too.
In order to address his anxiety, Flintoff turned to having “a word with myself in the mirror.” This positive reinforcement proved to be an important tool in his journey back to confidence. He explained the difficulty of reintegrating into society after such an ordeal, saying, “I’d not shown myself without a face mask to anyone. It was like starting again.”
That’s right, the Flintoff is back on our screens in spectacular fashion! He’s filming the second season of his BBC show, Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams. Today, he coaches a team of young cricketers hailing from his adopted home city of Preston. Together, they set off on an inspiring journey across India! He can’t be more excited about getting back into youth sports coaching. Currently, he is hands on with the England Lions, which is the development squad for the senior England Men’s cricket team.
An extraordinary new Disney+ documentary follows Flintoff’s journey. It guarantees an exclusive, never-before-seen portrait of his athletic journey and fight with mental health. The documentary includes cameos from his family, comedian James Corden and actor Jack Whitehall. And now you’ll be able to stream it beginning April 25.
Alongside talking about his recovery, Flintoff opened up about the difficulty of readjusting to life in the public eye. “You’ve been discussing it so publicly,” he said, referring to the continued discussion of his testimony. He mentioned his mixed feelings regarding watching footage of himself: “I enjoy watching the cricket bits, wish there was more of them in it. But I think most difficult is when you see people debating you on platforms.
Flintoff has made it clear that he plans to overcome these challenges born from the crash. Today, he still can’t get enough of coaching and bringing out the best in young athletes. His courage in facing physical and mental setbacks with unfailing determination reveals his true character. It’s a clear indication of just how committed he is to the sport.
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