U.S. Soccer Legend Landon Donovan Battled Serious Mental Health Issues

During an interview with Men's Health, Donovan opened up about battling depression and mental health issues.

Donovan admitted he wanted to 'end it'

Donovan revealed that his darkest moments came during a solo trip to Cambodia, when he had some drug-induced struggles.

"Yeah because that was as an existential threat. It was drug induced. I hallucinated and when I would open my eyes, I would see frogs and lizards and worms. When I closed my eyes, my brain was telling me, just go jump off the cliff into the ocean and end it. So I was in this tussle of do I keep my eyes open? Do I close my eyes? Eventually, my brain said, ‘Oh, this is what's going on. Come back to the breath.’ That's what I had practiced so many times in meditation. And that was the exact reason why you meditate so that you see what's all going on. ‘That's not you. You're back here present.’ It saved my life," he said.

Donovan is now doing better through therapy and meditation.

"I don't know what it's called, but it's with your eyes closed, breathing in through the nose and out through the nose. Then when a thought comes and passes, you acknowledge it without judgement. Then you bring yourself back to the breath. That cycle can repeat hundreds of times during a meditation session. It's always being aware of what's going on, but not reacting to it, not judging it, and then bringing yourself back to the present," he revealed.