Adam Peaty: What thought won't let you sleep? — FLAPSS

The question

What thought won't let you sleep?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

A long-running fixed question in The Guardian's weekly Q&A questionnaire.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

AP

Adam Peaty

British swimmer; Olympic champion 2016 and 2021

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

The realisation that I am not the best version of myself.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 January 2022 source ↗

Others on this question

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An inability to get myself to bed at a reasonable hour.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 26 July 2025 source ↗

Maya Jama British television and radio presenter

My phone and social media.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 17 June 2023 source ↗

Emily Mortimer British actress

All the things that seem very unimportant and manageable the next morning.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 31 October 2020 source ↗

Erin O'Connor English model

Not reading my bank statements thoroughly enough!

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 March 2008 source ↗

More from Adam Peaty

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Question How would you want people to remember you? Death & what remains

As a great man.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 January 2022 source ↗

Question Who deserves an apology from you, and for what? Failure & regret

To the people who, because of my career, I cannot spend time with. I have to be selfish, unfortunately.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 January 2022 source ↗

Question How has a setback or failure set you up for later success? Failure & regret

When I lost that 100m final I spiralled. I went quite aggressive. It is an Adam I don't really recognise.

Recorded BBC Sport, 24 July 2024 source ↗

Question How close have you come to dying? Death & what remains

I was on a cliff in Dartmoor, doing a Royal Marine abseil. I fell upside down and thought, “I’m going to die here.”

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 January 2022 source ↗

Question In the last five years, what have you become better at saying no to? Daily life

I'm tired, I'm not myself and I'm not enjoying the sport as I have done for the last decade. Some might recognise it as burnout; I just know that over the last few years I haven't had the answers.

Recorded Public statement announcing his break from swimming, April 2023, The Independent, 1 July 2023 source ↗

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