Former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke says some of the negative reactions he received during his playing career were understandable.
“I think I probably deserved what I got, but I play a sport that’s so much about tradition and history, and maybe I just couldn’t stand it,” the 46-year-old said during a guest appearance on the latest episode of the Mental As Anyone podcast.
Clarke has been one of the most recognisable figures in Australian sport over the past few decades.
He also admits that he is one of the most polarizing people around, thanks to his love of fashion and cars and his intense interest in romantic relationships.
“I think it’s fair to say I’m polarized,” said the father of one.
“Some people liked me as a person, some didn't. And naturally, when you're playing at the highest level, people make judgments before they even know you, so it's fair to say that there were decisions I made that people didn't agree with.”
Clark knew that his appearance (and tattoos) were different from his predecessors.
“In terms of perception, I don't think I'm any less than Mark Taylor or Alan Border or Steve Waugh, beyond the love and value of playing for club, state and country, but I think my lifestyle was very different,” he said.
“I don't think any of those three guys had tattoos or earrings or dyed their hair and, you know, they did a couple of test races and they didn't go out and buy a Ferrari because they wanted one. They don't live in the eastern suburbs. There's a lot of perception in all that. And I don't think I cared much about what other people thought before I made a decision. I did what I felt. You're a 25-year-old from the western suburbs driving a ute with a cattle dog drinking VB, but I wanted a Ferrari so I went and bought one.”
Clark is the latest celebrity guest to share all things Mental As Anyone podcast. Other guests appearing on the series include Grant Denyer, Ben Gillies, and Isaac Humphries.
He said he believes he suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder but has never been formally diagnosed.
“I've never been tested. I think it's normal,” he said.
“It's similar to ADD. It's natural. Ask your parents. You don't need to take them to the hospital.”
Clark says she has never been medically diagnosed with depression, but has felt intense sadness her entire life.
“I’m very protective of the gap between sadness and depression. I think there’s a difference. I’ve definitely been extremely sad, devastated, broken, and not been able to move for days, not being able to get out of bed,” he said.
“I think I felt the deepest sadness because I lost my family, I lost some of my closest friends, but I think it was sadness. I don't know if it was depression. I've never been diagnosed with depression or seen a doctor for antidepressants, for example. I've definitely met with people for help, advice, guidance as I've gone through tough times.”
* New episodes of Mental As Anyone come out Tuesdays at 6 a.m. ET.
Originally published under the title 'Maybe It Was Worth It': Michael Clarke on Polarized Beings
