**Braden Smith Overcomes OCD Challenges to Thrive at Colts Training Camp**
Braden Smith, the Indianapolis Colts offensive lineman, is excited to return to training camp after a challenging 2024 NFL season. His previous campaign was cut short due to struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), specifically a form known as religious scrupulosity. In his quest for relief, Smith explored various therapeutic and medicinal options, even traveling to Mexico to seek psychedelic treatments.
After a long journey, Smith has successfully managed his OCD, allowing him to enter this new chapter of his NFL career with a positive mindset. “I’m in a spectacular place, honestly,” he shared with The Indianapolis Star. “I’ve learned a lot about myself. I’ve learned different tools and strategies. I’ve had a great support system here and at home.”
Smith highlighted the impact of ibogaine treatment in Mexico, which helped him break free from detrimental mental habits. During the peak of his OCD, he felt compelled to engage in repetitive prayers and declarations of faith. While he acknowledges that OCD is still a part of him, it no longer dominates his daily life. “There’s not boxes I need to check off, there’s not things I need to do,” he explained. “It’s not perfect, but it’s kind of allowed me to give it all to Him and not worry about what else can happen.”
As a Christian, Smith is now embracing a more balanced approach to his faith, focusing on love rather than guilt. “You have to find out what is healthy and what is not healthy. It looks a little bit different for every person,” he noted. “My relationship to God doesn’t have to be a cookie-cutter type of thing. … Luckily, the whole point is just (having) a relationship.”
Smith’s struggles were significant enough that he considered retiring from football. He played in 12 games during the 2024 season and recognized how OCD affected his performance. “Last year, I was just kind of out there,” he admitted. “I was going through the motions, but I didn’t feel that edge that players have. I didn’t have that last year. I didn’t feel that.”
In addition to his mental health challenges, Smith faced a knee injury in 2023, which caused him to miss seven games and undergo surgery. Now, with both his mental and physical health on the mend, he is eager to return to the game he loves. “This is probably the best I’ve felt in a really long time,” he expressed. “It’s kind of nice to see everything come together. Now, I can just go play football.”
**FAQ**
**Q: How has Braden Smith managed his OCD?**
A: Braden Smith has utilized various therapeutic and medicinal treatments, including ibogaine therapy in Mexico, to manage his OCD effectively. He has developed tools and strategies to cope, allowing him to focus on his football career.
