Athletes with OCD Explained with Cali Werner

Barriers to Breakthroughs

In an enlightening episode of Barriers to Breakthroughs, listeners meet Cali Werner, a marathon runner, mental health advocate, and former D1 track athlete from Rice University, who has an Honorable Mention at the national level. Today, Cali leverages her master’s degree in social work from Baylor University, specializing in OCD, to support others in their mental health journeys.

Cali shares her life and athletic experiences living with OCD, elucidating how this condition significantly impacted her performance. Providing a detailed explanation of OCD, its various subtypes, and common misconceptions, this episode is a masterclass in understanding the complexities of this often misunderstood condition.

Topics covered in this episode extend from recognizing OCD behaviors, especially in competitive settings, to valuable advice she would give her younger self, and her experience writing a children's book "Anxious Annie". This conversation provides a unique glimpse into what it's like to live with OCD, especially as a high-performance athlete. Explore these insights and more in this engaging episode.