Football Star's Journey: Bipolar Disorder & NFL Dream

0:00With the NFL today, March 19th, earn his houseman, a 22-year-old linebacker for the Michigan Wolverines, chased his lifelong dream of going pro in football. Adopted from Uganda as a young child by Nebraska family, he rose from poverty to become a star player, starting as a freshman at Nebraska before, transferring to Michigan. There, he led the team with 89 tackles last season and earned all Big Ten honorable mention. But after a thumb injury and mounting pressures, he suddenly left the team in November, heading west in his Audi SUV. His path took a dangerous turn during a manic episode from undiagnosed bipolar disorder. Trips back to Uganda, fueled in a session with building wells and fighting poverty there, overwhelming his focus on football and self-care. He skipped games, flew briefly to Africa, then drove over 2,000 miles toward an air-national guard base in Oregon, tossing his phone out the window along the way. The crash happened on December 12th near Lakeview, Oregon, when fatigue caused his vehicle

1:04to roll over. First responders found him climbing out and locals helped him get to a hospital. His parents rushed from Nebraska, and soon after, University of Michigan doctors petitioned for an involuntary mental health evaluation back in Ann, Arbor. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder, Hossman started mood stabilizers and quickly accepted treatment, mending ties with family and coaches. He medically retired briefly to focus on his degree, but soon decided to pursue the NFL again, training in San Diego and skipping the combine to control his story. This Friday, just over 3 months after the wreck, he'll join Michigan teammates at Pro Day in Ann, Arbor, one step closer to that childhood goal. Scrawled on his bedroom wall, he's also continuing his foundation work in Uganda, while raising awareness about mental health. This episode is brought to you by our sponsor, See the episode description. When you want calm, do not reach for your phone, lay back and listen. S-O-L-I-S-O-L-P-L-O.com.