High diver Molly Carlson discusses mental health and body positivity
Diving 21 metres straight into the St. Lawrence River is all in a day's work for high diver Molly Carlson.
Carlson said her recent big win at the Red Bull Cliff Diving competition was "so special," with the city's skyline as a backdrop. The Ontario native who now calls Montreal her home says the city has played an important role in her life.
"I started high diving in Montreal and I became the best version of myself during my high diving career. I just I feel like Montreal's my safe space, to be kind to myself."
Carlson admits being kind to herself has been challenging.
"For me, whose been at the lowest of low with an eating disorder, I know what it's like to not be able to talk about it."
Molly Carlson from Canada celebrates with the trophy after winning the final of the women's Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in Montreal, Sunday, August 25, 2024. (Graham Hughes, The Canadian Press)
The Canadian high diver is open about her struggles with her 6 million followers on all social media platforms. She calls her community "Brave Gang," and encourages others to be vulnerable too.
"Not everyone in the world needs to jump off a cliff to be brave. I can connect with all these amazing people if we all realize that we're already brave."
Molly Carlson competes in the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, Saturday, June 8, 2024, in Boston. (Michael Dwyer, The Associated Press)
She added that she will continue to be an activist in the mental health and body positivity space, even after she retires.
But the 25-year-old isn't retiring anytime soon. She plans to compete for at least another four years and says it's her other career, content creation, that keeps her balanced.
"I started to really go down this dark hole of just thinking I had diving, and that the only thing that makes me worthy is my success in sport. And so what being creative and being a content creator gave me is an outlet to have fun again."
Molly Carlson from Canada, centre, celebrates alongside Rhiannan Iffland of Australia and Kaylea Arnett of the United States after winning the final of the women's Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in Montreal, Sunday, August 25, 2024. (Graham Hughes, The Canadian Press)
Carlson says she will continue to use her platform to take important conversations to new heights.
"I'm going to be launching a podcast like 2025. We have huge, huge, huge goals. And it's really just to highlight the community members and to celebrate everyone else's brave journey."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Federal government to further limit number of international students
The federal government will be further limiting the number of international students permitted to enter Canada next year. It’s the government’s latest immigration-related measure to address Canadians' ongoing housing and affordability concerns.
BREAKING
BREAKING Bloc MPs will vote confidence in Liberal government next week: Blanchet
The Conservatives' first shot at toppling the Liberal government is doomed to fail, after Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-François Blanchet told reporters his MPs will vote confidence in the government.
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING Exploding electronic devices kill 14, wound 450 in second day of explosions in Lebanon
Lebanon's health ministry said Wednesday that at least 14 people were killed and 450 others wounded by exploding electronic devices in multiple regions of the country. The explosions came a day after an apparent Israeli attack targeting pagers used by Hezbollah killed at least 12 and wounded nearly 3,000. Here are the latest updates.
What to know about the deadly electronic explosions targeting Hezbollah
Just one day after pagers used by hundreds of members of the militant group Hezbollah exploded, more electronic devices detonated in Lebanon Wednesday in what appeared to be a second wave of sophisticated, deadly attacks that targeted an extraordinary number of people. Here's what we know so far.
Canada abstains from UN motion calling on Israel to end occupation of Gaza, West Bank
Canada abstained today from a high-profile United Nations vote demanding that Israel end its 'unlawful presence' in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank within a year.
Record-breaking Lotto Max jackpot tickets sold in Ontario, Quebec
Two lucky people in Ontario and Quebec will split Tuesday’s record-breaking $80-million Lotto Max jackpot.
Rogers Communications to buy out Bell's share of MLSE for $4.7 billion
Rogers Communications Inc. is buying out Bell's 37.5 per cent share of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment for $4.7 billion, giving it 75 per cent ownership of the sports conglomerate.
'I'm here for the Porsche': Video shows brazen car theft in Mississauga
Video of a brazen daylight auto theft which shows a suspect running over a victim in a stolen luxury SUV has been released by police west of Toronto.
'Unsightly' under-construction home must be finished or demolished, B.C. court rules
A B.C couple has been ordered to stop living in a motorhome on the property where their under-construction home – which they were first given a permit to build more than six years ago – has become an “eyesore,” according to a recent court decision.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Toronto
-
Two people dead after shooting at park north of Toronto: YRP
Two people are dead following an early-morning shooting at a park in a quiet neighbourhood in Keswick, York Regional Police say. Police confirmed just before 11 a.m. that they were investigating a double homicide at Bayview Park. YRP said they responded to the sounds of gunshots at the park just before 7:30 a.m.
-
Rogers Communications to buy out Bell's share of MLSE for $4.7 billion
Rogers Communications Inc. is buying out Bell's 37.5 per cent share of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment for $4.7 billion, giving it 75 per cent ownership of the sports conglomerate.
-
'I'm here for the Porsche': Video shows brazen car theft in Mississauga
Video of a brazen daylight auto theft which shows a suspect running over a victim in a stolen luxury SUV has been released by police west of Toronto.
Ottawa
-
Forensic identification officer testifies at Ayoub trial
Photographs of eyeglasses with an apparent broken arm, a purse with a "severed" strap and a reusable bag filled with groceries at the bottom of a staircase were among those shown to the jury at the first-degree murder trial of Hamid Ayoub Wednesday morning.
-
Ottawa's mayor says 'no formal, written offer' from feds for Wellington Street
Negotiations on the future of Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill appear to have stalled, more than a year after the federal government and the City of Ottawa began talks on the street.
-
10-minute headways on off-peak LRT service will be maintained as OC Transpo studies fall ridership
Ottawa City Council has voted to maintain O-Train Line 1 service at current levels to give OC Transpo additional time to study ridership patterns this fall.
Atlantic
-
Transport Canada orders plan to remove huge tidal power moorings left near N.S. town
Transport Canada has ordered a bankrupt tidal power company and a bankruptcy trustee to produce a plan to remove four huge moorings abandoned in the water near Walton, N.S.
-
N.S. RCMP seize firearms, crossbow, magic mushrooms from South Shore homes
A Woods Harbour, N.S., man is facing dozens of charges after police seized weapons and drugs from South Shore homes last Friday.
-
Maritimes saw hottest temperatures in Canada on Tuesday
A streak of sunny and hot mid-September weather set new high temperatures records in the Maritimes.
N.L.
-
Newfoundland and Labrador monitoring rise in whooping cough cases: medical officer
Newfoundland and Labrador's chief medical officer is monitoring the rise of whooping cough infections across the province as cases of the highly contagious disease continue to grow across Canada.
-
Dispute over unrecognized Inuit group halts major conference for Canadian North
A 16-year-old biennial event aimed at fostering business in the country's eastern Arctic and northern regions has been cancelled indefinitely as a dispute unfolds between Inuit in Canada and a Labrador group claiming to share their heritage.
-
Cow cuddling: Why a Newfoundland farm is offering quality time with these 'gentle creatures'
Jim Lester’s farm hopped on the cow-cuddling trend in early August, and his time slots have been pretty well sold out ever since.
Northern Ontario
-
One person dead following North Bay industrial incident
North Bay Police Service says one person has died following an industrial accident at the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission Rail Yard on Tuesday.
-
Sudbury pet rescue frustrated by latest break-in at thrift store
Security video shows a man breaking into a thrift store operated by a Sudbury animal rescue and stealing items from a jewelry case Tuesday morning.
-
Criminal charges stayed against Ministry of Labour, five others, in 2006 Sudbury mining death
In court Wednesday, the director of Ontario's Complex Prosecutions Bureau said he was staying criminal charges against the Ministry of Labour and five others in connection with a mining fatality in 2006.
London
-
$10-million lawsuit filed against Fanshawe College
Fanshawe College is being sued over supposed deficiencies in its paralegal program. A proposed class action seeks $10 million in damages on behalf of hundreds of students enrolled in the college's paralegal program since 2020.
-
Description released of suspect wanted in relation to arson
London police have released a description of a suspect wanted in relation to an $800,000 arson investigation. Fire crews were called to an abandoned residence at the corner of Dundas Street and Hewitt Street earlier this month.
-
The City of London is calling and wants to know what you think
If your phone rings with a number you don't recognize, it could be the City of London calling. This year's resident satisfaction survey is taking place until Oct. 6.
Kitchener
-
Three missing people from Kitchener haven't been seen since Sept. 1
Police are hoping the public can help them locate three missing people from Kitchener.
-
Federal government to further limit number of international students
The federal government will be further limiting the number of international students permitted to enter Canada next year. It’s the government’s latest immigration-related measure to address Canadians' ongoing housing and affordability concerns.
-
Cyclist dies following collision with pickup truck
Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police responded to a serious motor vehicle collision on Wellington Road 18, just west of Salem.
Windsor
-
Pedestrian in ICU after getting struck by vehicle
Windsor police say a pedestrian was taken to hospital with serious injuries after getting hit by a vehicle in south Windsor.
-
Man shot in neck with pellet gun during attempted robbery: WPS
Windsor police have arrested two suspects in connection to an attempted robbery with a weapon on Erie Street.
-
Federal government to further limit number of international students
The federal government will be further limiting the number of international students permitted to enter Canada next year. It’s the government’s latest immigration-related measure to address Canadians' ongoing housing and affordability concerns.
Barrie
-
Grey County ticket wins half the record-breaking Lotto Max jackpot
Check your lottery tickets because someone who purchased a ticket in Grey County is an overnight multi-millionaire, having won half of the historic lottery jackpot.
-
Two people dead after shooting in Keswick park
York Regional Police say two people are dead after a shooting at a park in the community of Keswick.
-
WITH VIDEO
WITH VIDEO Alleged porch pirate walks off with outdoor furniture from Barrie home
Police in Barrie are investigating a different type of porch piracy after a man was caught on camera walking off with some outdoor furniture.
Vancouver
-
UBCM convention: Two of three special resolutions focussed on housing
Mayors and councillors voting at the annual convention of the Union of BC Municipalities have passed three special resolutions, two of them focussed on housing and the third on rural health care.
-
B.C.'s planned expansion of involuntary care 'unacceptable,' says civil liberties group
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association has called on B.C. Premier David Eby to abandon the province's planned expansion of involuntary care for people suffering from a combination of drug addiction, brain injuries and mental health issues.
-
TransLink converts West Coast Express commuter train to renewable diesel
TransLink says it is one step closer to meeting its net-zero emissions targets after converting its West Coast Express commuter trains between Vancouver and the Fraser Valley to renewable diesel fuel.
Vancouver Island
-
UBCM convention: Two of three special resolutions focussed on housing
Mayors and councillors voting at the annual convention of the Union of BC Municipalities have passed three special resolutions, two of them focussed on housing and the third on rural health care.
-
TransLink converts West Coast Express commuter train to renewable diesel
TransLink says it is one step closer to meeting its net-zero emissions targets after converting its West Coast Express commuter trains between Vancouver and the Fraser Valley to renewable diesel fuel.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING Bloc MPs will vote confidence in Liberal government next week: Blanchet
The Conservatives' first shot at toppling the Liberal government is doomed to fail, after Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-François Blanchet told reporters his MPs will vote confidence in the government.
Winnipeg
-
$300K worth of stolen vehicles seized from Winnipeg compound: police
More than $300,000 worth of stolen vehicles were seized from a Winnipeg compound earlier this month, police announced Wednesday.
-
How much rain fell in southern Manitoba over the past few days
Southern Manitoba was hit with torrential downpours, overland flooding and thunderstorms at the start of the week, with some communities receiving upwards of 200 millimetres (mm) of rain.
-
Kinew denies claims of toxic, dysfunctioncal government made by ousted MLA
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said an MLA ousted from his caucus this week was given a choice before he was shown the door.
Calgary
-
Winding down of Green Line LRT project 'unfortunate': transportation minister
Alberta's transportation minister says the City of Calgary's decision to wind down the Green Line LRT project is "unfortunate” — but he isn’t completely closing the door on the transit initiative.
-
Have you seen Goliath? 28-year-old donkey goes missing south of Calgary
An ancient 28-year-old chocolate donkey named Goliath is missing from its longtime home at a veterinary hospital south of Calgary.
-
Matthew Tkachuk opens up about the death of his friend Johnny Gaudreau
Matthew Tkachuk estimated that he tells a story about Johnny Gaudreau's exploits, both the on-ice and off-ice variety, to somebody at least once a week.
Edmonton
-
Fire consumes multi-unit building, several townhomes in Desrochers
Flames tore through a residential development, including both homes that were occupied and under construction, in southwest Edmonton early Wednesday morning.
-
Stolen boat crashes into back of parked semi: EPS
The Edmonton Police Services is investigating a hit-and-run collision involving a U-Haul pulling a stolen boat that happened last week.
-
Police searching for victim who bought stolen BMW in northern Alberta
Grande Prairie RCMP wants to remind the public about the risks of fraud when buying or selling items online after a black 1997 BMW Z3 that was reported stolen was sold online in Grande Prairie last month.
Regina
-
Sask. won't take asylum seekers if Ottawa attempts to relocate them
The Government of Saskatchewan has said it will not accept asylum seekers under a recent federal proposal to relocate them across Canada.
-
Police initiative sees heavier officer presence in Regina's downtown, North Central areas
Those in downtown and North Central Regina will see an increased police presence on Wednesday as the Regina Police Service (RPS) continues a community outreach initiative.
-
Teen faces new charge in Sask. high school arson attack
A 14-year-old student who allegedly set her classmate on fire is facing a new charge.
Saskatoon
-
'I thought I was dead': Man electrocuted, burned at SaskPower hydro dam calls for compensation
May 9, 2022 was the day Blayne McKay thought he was going to die. He called his wife to say goodbye, after getting electrocuted at the SaskPower Island Falls Hydroelectric Station, about 100 kilometres northwest of Flin Flon.
-
Teen faces new charge in Sask. high school arson attack
A 14-year-old student who allegedly set her classmate on fire is facing a new charge.
-
Emily Sanche tried to seek medical help for boyfriend before he fatally stabbed her, court hears
Catherine Sanche says her cousin and best friend Emily Sanche never feared her boyfriend Thomas Hamp would hurt her in the weeks leading up to her death in February 2022.
