William Byron opened up about his private journey with sports therapy and personal growth in the latest season of Netflix’s “NASCAR: Full Speed,” which debuted on the streaming platform May 7. In a rare moment of vulnerability, Byron, driver of the iconic No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports chevrolet/”>Chevrolet, revealed to viewers in Episode 3 that he regularly works with a sports therapist to better manage the demands of his high-profile racing career and to develop a healthy balance in his everyday life.
Byron’s candid admission marked the first time he shared this aspect of his life publicly.
“You guys are the first people I tell that I do this,”
Byron stated during the episode, highlighting both the pressure and relief that comes from sharing his story. He explained,
“What made me want to do it is just I felt like I was a very quiet communicator and I didn’t say a lot. And I felt like that was getting in the way of our success or potential success as a team. But then it transitioned to learning more about myself as a person, and so then I feel it took off.”
The Charlotte, North Carolina native has consistently carried the weight of significant expectations. Steering the same number that Jeff Gordon once drove to four NASCAR Cup Series championships, Byron has felt intense pressure since joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2018. With Gordon now acting as vice chairman for the team, Byron is not only forging his own legacy but also working to live up to years of tradition and high standards.
Despite these challenges, William Byron’s performance on the track has been formidable. He made headlines in February by becoming the first back-to-back winner of the Daytona 500 since Denny Hamlin’s consecutive wins in 2019 and 2020, bringing his career Cup wins tally to 14. Byron’s consistent achievements have propelled him to the Championship 4 round of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs for the past two seasons, and he currently leads the series in points eleven races into 2025.
Off the track, Byron reflects thoughtfully on the importance of self-understanding.
“I feel like I’ve grown a lot off the track, and I feel like finding a balance in life in general helped me on the track because I was more driven,”
he shared with the documentary team.
“How can I understand myself as a person?”
he asked, noting,
“I feel like that was something that I put off for a long time because I was just so focused on racing.”
Discussing his experience with sports therapy, Byron admitted,
“I’m not a very open person, so I don’t let a lot of people in.”
He also discussed the difficulties in opening up, saying,
“At first, it was really hard to tell her everything. And sometimes, I feel like I don’t say as much as I should. And I’m like, dang it. I should have said this, right? Should have gone into more detail. But I just try to give her everything that’s on my mind.”
William Byron’s honest revelation about embracing sports therapy and focusing on personal growth provides new insight into the pressures faced by top athletes. By addressing his mental health and communication styles, Byron is not only aiming to enhance his performance but is also modeling a more holistic approach to success in sports. As the season of “Full Speed” draws wider attention, Byron’s willingness to share his journey may inspire other athletes and fans alike to prioritize their well-being, while offering a deeper look at the human side of NASCAR’s competition. Looking ahead, his continued growth both on and off the track could influence how competitors in high-stakes environments manage their own challenges, signaling greater openness and awareness within the sport.
