Human 7: Matthew Mitcham OAM

Diver, Olympic Gold Medalist

Matthew Mitcham is an Australian diver, best known for winning Gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He still holds the Olympic Record for highest single dive score and is the first openly gay (male) Olympic Champion. In 2009, he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for service in sport, and was inducted into the Australian Sport Hall of Fame in 2020. Now retired, Matthew lives in London with his husband, Luke, and spends his spare time playing ukulele, knitting and crocheting. 

Matthew is a human mammal. Here are his thoughts:

What brings you the most joy in life?

Most animals, playing games (physical or board), wandering around markets on a weekend.

What does success mean to you?

Having a positive impact on the lives of others. 

What do you see as your greatest achievement?

Being the first openly gay (male, at least) Olympic Champion.

What are you most grateful for?

To live in a time and place where I can be my authentic self without fear of persecution. There are still far, far too many people in the world who are not afforded the same right.

Who or what has had the biggest influence on your life?

My diving coach, Chava Sobrino. He encouraged me to come back to the sport after I quit in 2006. He actively created a training environment where I knew I was accepted for exactly who I was, which had a profound effect on my self-esteem, and consequently, my motivation to become the best.

What do you regret?

Suffering unnecessarily because I was too scared or ashamed to reach out during extended periods of mental ill-health.

Has there been a defining moment in your life? Can you tell us something about it?

Going to rehab in 2011. I got myself into a terrifying cycle of self-medicating because I was desperate to change the way I felt. Rehab helped me identify and address the underlying causes of my depression and anxiety so that I don’t feel the need to medicate. 

What advice would you give your younger self?

Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.

What do you doubt most?

Myself, which is really annoying.

When did you last change your mind?

5 seconds ago, I changed the last answer!

What is the role of luck in our lives?

Not much. I believe in putting in action, which puts you in the best position to be successful. 

Do you have a favourite quote? What is it? Why do you like it?

The Serenity Prayer: “Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference”. After I got out of rehab, I used to say it a lot whenever I was feeling overwhelmed to help me figure out what to do next.

What would you do with your life if you had unlimited financial resources?

Pay off all my debts, buy myself a home, and then figure out the best way to help the most people - probably educating children (especially girls) everywhere or some sort of universal basic income.

If you could have the definitive answer to a single question, what would you ask?

How to do my taxes.

What concept/fact/idea should every human on the planet understand?

Equality.

Should we think of morality in relative or absolute terms?

Relative.

Do human beings have free will?

Yes.

Do you believe in God?

No.

Could we be living in a simulated universe?

I mean, the computational power it would take to simulate the structure and physics of every elementary particle, in every subatomic particle, in every atom, of every molecule, of every solid, liquid, and gas on our earth alone - let alone our entire solar system - and taking into consideration the number of solar systems there are within our galaxy, and the number of galaxies there are just within the known universe - sure, maybe. 

I do find Simulation Theory a bit egocentric though. I know that I am conscious, so am I the only consciousness for whom the simulation is created? What makes me so special that all of this is put on for little old me? Or is this simulation created for all humans? If so, why is it just for humans? Or is it for all creatures with brains, both on earth and the rest of the universe (the existence of which I believe to be a statistical likelihood)?... It all just seems a bit impractical, really.

Will the continual development of technology have a net positive or negative influence on humanity?

Net positive - most things with more cons than pros tend to be improved or abandoned.

What is the single greatest achievement of humanity?

Cheesecake.

What do you see as the biggest existential threat to humanity?

Ourselves.

What does it mean to live a good life?

Having a positive impact on the lives of others.

What is a good death?

A painless one without fear.

What question should I have asked you?

You should have asked if I send nudes. But you didn’t, so I guess you’ll never know.

Thanks for your time, Matthew!

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