Oprah and Lance Armstrong – Can He Still Livestrong?

Cyclist Lance Armstrong sitting down to talk candidly with Oprah Winfrey
Cyclist Lance Armstrong sitting down to talk candidly with Oprah Winfrey

So there’s a lot of press, opinions, and comments flying around at the moment, following the for some, long awaited confession from former Tour de France record holder Lance Armstrong as he sat down with Oprah Winfrey for a reported no holds barred, open, honest, and candid interview addressing speculation about performance enhancement drug use and long term doping allegations.

I am not a religious girl, however the ‘let he who is without sin cast the first stone . . . ‘ keeps popping into my head.

Yes, he made some big mistakes. Not once, not twice, not three times, but a series of very calculated deceptions over a very long period of time.  And yes, he has a huge what we might call ego, not absolutely necessary for a focused winner (Mo Farah and many others are dedicated winners and also seem like sweet and humble people), the big ego however  often seems par for the course in highly fuelled and testosterone driven sport.

THE BODY DOESN’T LIE

In terms of Part 1 of the world exclusive interview, when Oprah cuts back to the tapes of Lance’s previous testimonies, his body language leakage of the truth was blatantly obvious, almost laughably so.  His body always spoke well in advance of his verbal answers, and on all occasions on those recordings, his body, and what came out of his mouth were in contradiction to each other.  The body spoke the truth, the words didn’t.

Lance Armstrong covering his mouth as though not wanting to let the truth out.
Lance Armstrong covering his mouth as though not wanting to let the truth out.


During the interview with Oprah this week there seemed to be certain coldness from Lance, although by his own admission he isn’t the type of guy to sit around looking back.  Also from what he said about himself, and the traits that he picked up from his mother, there is no real room for dwelling either in or on past emotions.

Watching Lance Armstrong last night reminded me of some of the high profile and successful male clients I’ve worked with over the years for whom putting right past mistakes was alien territory.  Even speaking of such things and admitting mistakes was hard and uncharted waters.

WHY WOULD SOMEONE LEAD A LIFE OF DECEPTION?

Speaking now of my experiences of the 13 years that I have been a Coach and Therapist, these are some of the things that were evident when working with people who found themselves in similar circumstances.  These observations may go some way to explaining the Lance Armstrong many of us watched this week who still on some level looked a little defiant and nonplussed during the interview with Oprah:

  • They knew they had made mistakes and hurt the people that they cared about most, and that did hurt them deeply however they could see no point in continually raking over the past, they just wanted to move on.
  • There was a huge amount of inner turmoil because many of their actions went against their inner most values so even they themselves couldn’t actually logically fully explain why they did what they did.
  • Expressing themselves in terms of feelings was not how they communicated.  Tears would sometimes come however they were often more through self frustration because they had not been able to find a way to convey their sense of remorse in the way that those affected expected or wanted to see.
  • Although they knew that by societies standards they had done wrong, and although they didn’t want to go there again, such was the internal drive back then to get what they wanted, they were not even sure within themselves whether they could guarantee that a similar thing wouldn’t happen again.  They didn’t intend to go out and do it all again, yet despite that something in side of them, when left to its own devices was unable to commit that this would not be the case.
  • They punished themselves internally more than the outside world would ever realise.  This sometimes manifested as sleep problems, questioning of self value, shame and embarrassment about what others they respected or cared about were thinking or saying about them in the background, inability to fully devote their focus to current projects or work, even thoughts of ending it all because that way people would finally know that they were sorry.
  • Unmet needs and values was a far bigger driver than anything the outside world could leverage.  Ultimately they couldn’t deny themselves what they wanted even though they knew it was ‘wrong.’
  • They didn’t really want to hurt anyone else, they just wanted what they wanted and would do whatever it took to get it.
  • The lies and deception were sometimes additionally fuelled by not wanting to hurt those closest to them.  Of course they also realised the irony of that situation; The more lies they told, and the more deception they weaved, the greater and more devastating the impact would be if/when the truth did out.

This post isn’t about making excuses for people or letting them off the so-called hook.  I am just telling it the way I see it from the perspective that some of  those outwardly successful people have shared.

YOU HAVE TO WANT CHANGE

I believe that Lance is right in saying that it’s a process.  Lance Armstrong is just starting that process.  It can be one which requires a consistent thawing rather than ‘wham, I’ve talked about it once, so that’s it!’  In NLP terms we might start with the pace and lead, taking someone from where they are, to where they want to be.  You can’t necessarily expect someone to go from cold logical thought to being in touch with their inner most feelings overnight.

I also stress the word ‘want’ because that person has to want to be or do something different.  When people first start out on such a journey they can often pay lip service to working with a Coach or Therapist.  They may try to go through the motions so that they can tick the box of ‘getting help.’   With some people that might work.  With the right, or wrong therapist, depending upon how you look at it, those games won’t fly.  If you’re in the game, you’re in the game, so saddle up and lets get this show on the road.

IS IT TRUE REMORSE OR A CONVENIENT COVER UP?

Go back and watch Part 1 of the Oprah interview where they show replays of Lance’s early televised interviews.  Whoever ends up working with Lance needs to look out for those unconscious yet blatantly obvious cues.  Not only watch out for them, but challenge them.  If you are dealing with a similar situation or person in your own life, these are also the signals you want to look out for.  Also remember that coming from a ‘no judgement’ place is hugely import (see my opening line about casting the first stone!)

Only time will tell whether this is the start of a new chapter for Lance Armstrong.  For some the damage has been done and there is no going back, and no redemption.  For others, it will be a case of action speaking louder than words as Lance moves on from here.

As Oprah said in closing the interview, she wasn’t that concerned with Lance’s ‘come back’, it was more about how he evolves and develops as a human being going forward.

As an ex-highly logical, lack of emotion human being, I can attest to the fact that all things are possible in terms of personal transformation and change, as long as the person in question is ready.  No amount of logical reasoning or public outcries will change a person or a mindset that has no desire to do so.

If however Lance is ready to move onwards and upwards, then I wish him the best of luck and look forward to seeing him on the other side of this decade long drama.

 

ABOUT MARILYN DEVONISH

Marilyn Devonish is a Belief Change Specialist and TranceFormational™ Change Coach.  An Accelerated Learning Trainer, and specialist in releasing old emotional baggage, letting go of the past, and creating a compelling future, Marilyn has been passionate about lasting change and transformation since coming coming back from brink of suicidal feelings to total transformation in just a matter of weeks.

Coming from both a business and esoteric background this unique transformational mix includes a Business Degree, Post Graduate Marketing Diploma, PRINCE2 Project Management certifications, as well as a being Certified Master Practitioner and Trainer of Hypnosis, NLP, Time Line Therapy and PhotoReading™ and a Practitioner in EFT, DNA Theta Healing, EmoTrance, Reiki, Energetic NLP,  Archetypal Profiling, and Hawaiian Huna and the Ho’oponopono Forgiveness Process.

You can find further information about Marilyn Devonish and her work by visiting:  http://tranceformationstm.com/

You will also find Free Resources, free mp3 downloads, eBooks, and interviews at: http://tranceformationstm.com/resources.php

If you like this post do feel free to click the social media buttons below and share it with a few of your friends and contacts.  Thank you!

 

33 Comments

  1. I’ve been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles or blog posts on this kind of house . Exploring in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this website. Reading this info So i am happy to express that I’ve a very
    good uncanny feeling I found out just what I needed. I such a
    lot certainly will make sure to do not fail to remember this web site and provides it
    a look regularly.

  2. I think this is among the most important information for me.
    And i’m glad reading your article. But should remark on few general things, The web site style is ideal, the articles is really excellent : D. Good job, cheers

  3. You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something
    that I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for
    me. I am looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!

  4. Hi there very cool site!! Guy .. Beautiful .
    . Wonderful .. I’ll bookmark your blog and take the feeds additionally? I’m satisfied to find so many
    useful info here within the post, we need develop extra techniques on this regard, thanks for sharing.
    . . . . .

  5. Hi, I think your website might be having browser compatibility
    issues. When I look at your blog in Ie, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has
    some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
    Other then that, excellent blog!

  6. It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a doubt donate to this fantastic blog! I suppose for now i’ll settle for book-marking and
    adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to
    brand new updates and will talk about this blog with my Facebook group.
    Chat soon!

  7. Hey very cool blog!! Man .. Excellent .. Superb .. I will bookmark
    your blog and take the feeds also? I’m glad to find so many useful information right here in the submit, we want work out more techniques in this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .

  8. I just want to tell you that I’m very new to blogging and site-building and actually loved your blog site. Most likely I’m going to bookmark your blog . You definitely come with outstanding stories. Thanks a lot for sharing with us your website page.

  9. I must thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this website.
    I am hoping to check out the same high-grade blog posts by
    you later on as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get
    my own blog now 😉

  10. Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it but, I’d like
    to shoot you an e-mail. I’ve got some recommendations for your blog you might be
    interested in hearing. Either way, great site and I
    look forward to seeing it improve over time.

  11. I don’t even know the way I ended up here, however I believed
    this publish used to be good. I don’t know who you might be however certainly you’re going to a
    well-known blogger in case you aren’t already. Cheers!

  12. Have you ever considered publishing an ebook or guest authoring
    on other websites? I have a blog based upon on the same information
    you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information.
    I know my viewers would enjoy your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an
    e-mail.

  13. My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find many of your post’s to be exactly I’m looking for.

    Do you offer guest writers to write content for you?
    I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on most of
    the subjects you write regarding here. Again, awesome blog!

  14. Thanks for your marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed reading it, you will be a great author.I
    will remember to bookmark your blog and will come back
    later on. I want to encourage you to definitely continue your great writing, have
    a nice weekend!

    • Hi,

      Thank you. Glad that you enjoyed it. I am delighted to be on Yahoo News however I have to admit that I’ve got no idea how I got there!

      Marilyn x

  15. With havin so much written content do you ever run into any
    problems of plagorism or copyright infringement? My website has a lot
    of exclusive content I’ve either authored myself or outsourced but it appears
    a lot of it is popping it up all over the internet without my
    authorization. Do you know any techniques to help prevent content from being ripped off?
    I’d definitely appreciate it.

    • Hi,

      Thanks for the question.

      I have to admit I’ve not really thought about it too much and I figure if someone is going to be unethical and steal content then that is who they are and there isn’t too much that I can do about it. I kind of go with the almost karmic approach that if someone is going to steal from me, someone is going to steal from them, and probably in an area where it matters more. Creating processes and procedures, slightly different thing, and in that case I would look to go down the trademarking and copyright route.

      Marilyn

Leave a Reply to hard knightCancel Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.