“Logic and reason disappear”
Ex-ski star opens up about bipolar disorder
October 26, 2025 – 9:38 a.mReading time: 3 minutes
Rasmus Windingstad was successful as an athlete. Just a few months after retiring, the former ski star made his mental illness public.
He was one of the most successful Norwegian ski racers and won bronze with the team at the 2022 Olympic Games. Rasmus Windingstad ended his career in August. Just a few months later, the 31-year-old made his bipolar disorder public and spoke about it in an interview.
On Instagram, Windingstad told his fans in his story: “A few years ago I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder type 2. Of course there were a lot of ups and downs, but before I got the diagnosis my life was a lot more difficult. The mental health of athletes isn’t talked about enough, that’s why I’m here. More on that later (I think).”
Bipolar disorder is a more serious, chronic mental illness. Those affected experience mood swings and even depression. In type 2 disease, depression lasts longer.
Windingstad also told the Norwegian public broadcaster NRK in an interview: “Since I was 19 years old, I have experienced deep lows and major challenges with my mental health.” He received his diagnosis two years ago. He couldn’t believe how different he was when he was “healthy.”
He describes the state of his illness as follows: “All logic and reason goes out the window, and you are left with negativity and thoughts that belong to no one.” According to their own statements, the depression comes once or twice a year. He now recognizes the signs of this.
“I have extreme difficulty holding a conversation, I pause a lot and think a lot. What I say doesn’t make much sense and has no context,” says Windingstad. He also has trouble falling asleep. He could go to bed at 10 p.m. and still be awake at 3 a.m.
Why? “You are so destructive in your thoughts, but you know what is healthy and good for you. So you do the opposite. To harm yourself even more,” says the former world-class driver. He last had depression in February, March and April of this year. In the meantime he also had suicidal thoughts. “Yes. I’ve been there, yes. I haven’t been there much, so obviously there are some low points that are deeper than others,” said Rasmus Windingstad in the interview.