After his time in swimming officially came to an end in June, Cody Simpson has now had the space to reflect on his rollercoaster journey from pool to popstar to pool … and back again.
It has been a whirlwind ride for the 27-year-old, full of highs and lows, and complete with a Hollywood love story to colour in the background.
Some, however, may cruelly think that Simpson’s failure to make the Australian team that headed to Paris meant the past few years were just an overblown waste of time and energy.
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A thought Simpson has now had plenty of time to wrestle with as he again steps back into the entertainment industry.
Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Simpson has decided to bare his soul about his return to the pool with an emotional essay.
And he has suddenly realised the ‘look-back-in-regret’ theory could not be further from the truth.
“Reflection and retrospect have shown me perhaps just why I pursued this dream in the first place,” he said.
“There was something in me craving to be cultivated, a fire wanting to be stoked, a source wanting to be tapped. Something severely missing in my world — and pushing deep into my body and mind gave it back to me.
“I wanted to swim! I wanted to hurt. To dig! To face parts of myself I had yet to face. To be put in situations I was unsure I’d be able to handle. To have to get up and go when you’re convinced you can’t. To find something when you’re convinced there’s nothing left! All for the sake of getting to know myself.
“The whole thing was a spiritual exploration as much as it was a physical one.
“Sure, the medals and the accolades were rewarding. But the findings are more valuable than gold.
“Though at times I’ve felt that my creative self dwindled a little during the years I prioritised my work in the pool (because all of my energy was going to my body). I’ve come to understand that the whole thing ripped open doors to more parts of me than I realised in the moment.
“It wasn’t just physical. It WAS creative.
“In reality, it has drawn so much out of me to use moving forward, not unlike an arrow being pulled back in the bow.
“Hindsight brings forth perspectives hitherto inaccessible. For this sport I am grateful.”
Doors have again quickly opened for Simpson after his retirement.
He has appeared and performed at multiple events, including the AFL grand final.
In November, he was unveiled as the lead role for Opera Australia’s version of the famous Broadway musical Guys and Dolls.
Simpson has big shoes to fill, too, playing the character of Sky Masterson, the same character legendary actor Marlon Brando played in the Guys and Dolls movie in 1955.