Former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke says he may have deserved some of the bad things he has received during his career.
Speaking as a guest on the latest episode of the Mental As Anyone podcast, the 46-year-old said: “I think I probably deserve a bit of what I've been through but I've played a sport that's traditionally and history is a big part of it. and maybe I didn't stay, you know, I didn't swim between the flags.
Clarke has been one of the most iconic figures in Australian sport over the past decade.
He also admits that one of the biggest thanks is his love of fashion and cars, as well as his intense interest in his love life.
“I think it's fair to say I popped,” said the father of one.
“Some people like me as a person, some don't and naturally when you play sports at the highest level, judgments are made before people know you, the decisions – an opinion that people may not agree with, is also fair.
Clarke knew that her appearance – her tattoos – her appearance was also different from her predecessors.
“In terms of perspective, I like to think, more than my passion and value for playing for my club or my state or my country, I don't think I'm any less than Mark Taylor, or Allan, or Steve Waugh, but I think my way of life is very different,” he said.
“I don't think any of those three have tattoos or have ears or dye their hair or, you know, played a few test matches and wanted a Ferrari and went and bought a Ferrari. They don't live in the eastern part (Sydney), there's a lot of feeling that goes with all these things. And I think maybe I didn't care enough about worrying about other people's opinions before making a decision. I did what I felt. A 25 year old kid from the west end should be driving with a bull dog drinking VB and I wanted a Ferrari so I went and bought one.
Clarke is the latest celebrity guest to share everything on the Mental As Anyone podcast. Others coming to the series are Grant Denyer, Ben Gillies and Isaac Humphries.
He said he believes he has obsessive-compulsive disorder, but it has not been officially confirmed.
“I've never been looked at, I think that's a given,” he said.
“It's like ADD, given. Of course, ask my parents, you don't have to take me to the doctor.
Although Clarke has never been diagnosed with clinical depression, she says she has experienced intense sadness throughout her life.
“I'm very protective of the gap between sadness and depression. I think there is a difference. I was certainly very sad, broken, floored, unable to move for days and could not get out of bed,” he said.
“Losing a family member, losing my best friend, so I think I felt the deepest sadness, but I think it was sadness. I don't know if it's depression or not. I have never gone to a doctor, for example, to be diagnosed with depression, or to seek medication for depression. I have certainly found people who have helped me, given me advice, and guided me through my difficult times. “
* New episodes of Mental As Anyone drop on Tuesday mornings at 6am.
Originally Posted 'It's worth it': Michael Clarke on the polarizing existence
