The Leander Trust Library at the Leander Club in Henley-on-Thames is proud to present to you Tim Crooks, Olympian and author of the book Driven by Demons: Bipolar Olympian. Your chance to meet this rowing legend in real life! A finger buffet will be served in the beautiful Leander club house.
This is the remarkable story of a young man battling intense mood swings, who turns to physical risk and his exceptional talent for rowing and sculling to keep depression at bay. For years, he struggles without understanding the true nature of his condition.
His journey is at times amusing, at times desperate, but always deeply human. As he carves out a name for himself in the world of amateur rowing, his unpredictable and often outrageous behavior unsettles his crewmates. Yet, despite the chaos, he achieves extraordinary triumphs - competing in five World Rowing Championships, two Olympic Games, and winning seven Henley Regatta titles, including the prestigious Diamond Sculls.
But the same challenges that once saved him eventually lead to his downfall. When he reaches his lowest point, feeling as though he has lost everything, his long search for stability truly begins.
"We thought he felt no pain." Hugh Matheson
Tim's younger brother, on reading a draft: "What is it, a confession or an excuse?"
The Leander Trust is a registered charity (No. 284631) to advance the education of young people and their physical education by providing facilities - including grant awards - to enable and encourage rowing and sculling; and to help by providing facilities for recreation for those who need such facilities because of their youth, social or economic circumstances. A short presentation will be held to illustrate the benefit of the Trust.
