On The Mend

High Performance
High Performance
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  • Mental Health
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On The Mend is the podcast where we look back at life’s hardest moments to understand how to move forward, with honesty, heart, and hope. In each episode, Matt Willis explores recovery, resilience, and mental strength through open and honest conversations. Some episodes feature guests sharing powerful stories of personal transformation. Others bring in expert voices offering practical tools and insights, and in solo episodes, Matt reflects on his own journey through addiction, identity, and healing. This is a space for anyone navigating life’s challenges. On The Mend is your companion through the highs, lows, and everything in between. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 1 day ago

    Finding Myself After Rugby, Divorce & Therapy: James Haskell

    Former England rugby star James Haskell explores life with unmedicated ADHD, the pressure of rugby's “tough guy” culture, and finding a sense of identity beyond the sport. James shares what it was like to navigate elite rugby without ADHD medication, the self-doubt behind his confident public persona, and why he believes real strength comes from being willing to talk. After retiring at 35, James had to work out who he was without rugby. He talks about rebuilding his confidence, becoming a father, and learning a new kind of love through co-parenting. Themes: Unmedicated ADHD, Redefining Masculinity, Post-Sport Identity, Therapy & Mental Health, and Fatherhood. Need Support? Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org Narcotics Anonymous: na.org Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk Shout: https: giveusashout.org IAPT: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/ AG1 👉 Head to http://drinkag1.com/onthemend to get a Morning Person Cap with AG1, plus free welcome kit, Vitamin D3 + K2 and five travel packs Randox 👉 Head to the Randox Health website and check out the RanChip Insight 360 test. You can get a 10% discount by using the code OTM10 along with up to £250 cashback if you refer a friend https://highpfrmc.com/OTM-Randox-AU Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Finding Myself After Rugby, Divorce & Therapy: James Haskell

  2. 10 Aug

    I Was In Desperate Need Of Help | Liberty X’s Michelle Heaton

    Singer and TV presenter Michelle Heaton's story is about more than addiction. It's about identity, loss, and finding your way back to yourself. In this episode, Michelle shares how a BRCA2 diagnosis, surgical menopause, and addiction became deeply intertwined, and how recovery helped her reconnect with the person she thought she'd lost. Together, we explore shame, healing, and why recovery is never just about one person. This episode covers the following themes: Surgical Menopause & Identity, Active Addiction, Shame & Isolation, Recovery, and Supporting Loved Ones. Need Support? Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org Narcotics Anonymous: na.org Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk Shout: https: giveusashout.org IAPT: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/ Catch Michelle Heaton as Snow White in Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs at Whitley Bay Pantomime this Christmas. Tickets available here: https://www.axs.com/uk/series/30228/snow-white-the-seven-dwarves-whitley-bay-playhouse-tickets?skin=playhouse Randox 👉 Head to the Randox Health website and check out the RanChip Insight 360 test. You can get a 10% discount by using the code OTM10 along with up to £250 cashback if you refer a friend https://highpfrmc.com/OTM-Randox-AU AG1 👉Head to http://drinkag1.com/onthemend to get a Morning Person Cap with AG1, plus free welcome kit, Vitamin D3 + K2 and five travel packs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    I Was In Desperate Need Of Help | Liberty X’s Michelle Heaton

  3. 3 Aug

    15 Questions About Addiction I’m Finally Answering | Matt Willis

    In this solo episode, Matt Willis answers some of the internet’s most searched questions about addiction, relapse, and recovery, sharing the lessons he’s learned from his own journey. Matt explores why substances can feel like a solution before becoming something we need help escaping, why addiction isn’t a choice or a moral failing, and why relapse doesn’t mean starting again from zero. He also shares a message of hope, explaining how the brain can heal, rebuild, and find joy again through recovery. This episode explores addiction, recovery, relapse, brain healing, and breaking stigma. Need Support? Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org Narcotics Anonymous: na.org Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk Shout: https: giveusashout.org IAPT: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/ AG1 👉 Head to http://drinkag1.com/onthemend to save £20 on your first month, plus a free welcome kit, Vitamin D3 + K2 and five travel packs Randox 👉 Head to the Randox Health website and check out the RanChip Insight 360 test. You can get a 10% discount by using the code OTM10 along with up to £250 cashback if you refer a friend https://highpfrmc.com/OTM-Randox-AU Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    15 Questions About Addiction I’m Finally Answering | Matt Willis

  4. 27 Jul

    Josh Connolly: Drunk, Selling Drugs & Becoming My Father’s Son

    One of the UK's leading mental health advocates, Josh Connolly, joins us for a deeply honest conversation about childhood trauma, addiction, and what it really takes to break generational cycles. Josh reflects on growing up with a father battling severe alcoholism, witnessing his death at just nine years old, and the lasting impact those experiences had on his own life. He shares how he found himself repeating the same patterns, the turning point that led him to choose recovery, and the work that has helped him heal over the past 14 years. Together, we explore fatherhood, emotional regulation, and why learning to feel, not just survive, has transformed the way Josh lives, loves, and parents today. This episode covers the following themes: Childhood Trauma, Active Addiction, Suicidal Ideation, Somatic Healing & Breathwork, and Breaking Generational Cycles. Need Support? Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org Narcotics Anonymous: na.org Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk Shout: https: giveusashout.org IAPT: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/ AG1 👉Head to http://drinkag1.com/onthemend to save £20 on your first month, plus a free welcome kit, Vitamin D3 + K2 and five travel packs Randox👉 Head to the Randox Health website and check out the RanChip Insight 360 test. You can get a 10% discount by using the code OTM10 along with up to £250 cashback if you refer a friend https://highpfrmc.com/OTM-Randox-AU Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Josh Connolly: Drunk, Selling Drugs & Becoming My Father’s Son

  5. 20 Jul

    Sam Thompson: Blame, Masking and Never Feeling Enough

    TV presenter Sam Thompson opens up about his late-stage ADHD diagnosis and the profound relief of finally finding a reason, not an excuse, for a lifetime of struggling. Sam shares the emotional reckoning of his diagnosis, recalling the moment he wept uncontrollably as the weight of self-blame, school struggles, and feeling "not enough" finally lifted. He shares the practical, everyday tools that keep him grounded, how ADHD-specific therapy transformed his relationship, and why learning how your brain is wired is the first step to self-forgiveness.  It’s a completely honest, shame-free look at accepting who you are and realizing you were never broken. This episode covers the following themes: Late-Diagnosis ADHD, Self-Forgiveness, Neurodiversity, Relationship Dynamics, and Practical Coping Tools. Need Support? Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org Narcotics Anonymous: na.org Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk Shout: https: giveusashout.org IAPT: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/ Sam Thompson's new book You, Me & ADHD is available to purchase now: https://amzn.eu/d/04E9CMcg AG1 👉Head to http://drinkag1.com/onthemend to save £20 on your first month, plus a free welcome kit, Vitamin D3 + K2 and five travel packs Better Help 👉 Join Matt in Saying It Louder with 10% off Betterhelp Therapy. Click here: https://highpfrmc.com/otm-betterhelp-au  Randox👉 Head to the Randox Health website and check out the RanChip Insight 360 test. You can get a 10% discount by using the code OTM10 along with up to £250 cashback if you refer a friend https://highpfrmc.com/OTM-Randox-AU Postcode Lottery 👉 Discover how Postcode Lottery players are Powering Hope Together. Click here to find out more: https://highpfrmc.com/otm-postcode-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Sam Thompson: Blame, Masking and Never Feeling Enough

  6. 13 Jul

    Divorce, Breakdown & The Crash That Nearly Killed Me | Michail Antonio

    Premier League footballer Michail Antonio gets honest about the hidden cost of elite success, identity, and what it really means to rebuild.  In this episode, Michail reflects on the reality of winning a historic trophy with West Ham, only to spend months struggling with depression and feeling overwhelmed by the pressure that followed. He also opens up about starting therapy at 34 to unpack childhood experiences, masculinity, and relationships, before discussing the reality of surviving a near-fatal car crash.  It’s a conversation about how success doesn’t shield you from mental health struggles, and how healing often begins when you start to understand what’s been driving you underneath the surface. This episode covers the following themes: High-Functioning Depression, Childhood Conditioning, Therapy, Mortality, and Identity. Humans Not Robots by Michail Antonio explores the collision of elite football and real life, revealing the unseen, deeply human side of life as a Premier League player.  Out now in hardback, ebook and audiobook (HarperNonFiction) – https://lnk.to/humansnotrobots/amazonbooks Need Support? Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org Narcotics Anonymous: na.org Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk Shout: https: giveusashout.org IAPT: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/ AG1 👉Head to http://drinkag1.com/onthemend to save £20 on your first month, plus a free welcome kit, Vitamin D3 + K2 and five travel packs Better Help 👉 Join Matt in Saying It Louder with 10% off Betterhelp Therapy. Click here: https://highpfrmc.com/otm-betterhelp-au  Postcode Lottery 👉 Discover how Postcode Lottery players are Powering Hope Together. Click here to find out more: https://highpfrmc.com/otm-postcode-au  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Divorce, Breakdown & The Crash That Nearly Killed Me | Michail Antonio

  7. 6 Jul

    Millie Gooch: Alcohol Addiction, Blackouts and Hangover Anxiety

    Sober Girl Society founder Millie Gooch challenges everything we think we know about dependency in a conversation that dismantles the “rock bottom” myth. Despite a successful career and social life, alcohol was quietly affecting her mental health and relationships, leading her to realise she couldn’t keep going as she was. This discussion explores the cycle of “hangxiety” and how drinking is often normalised despite its impact on wellbeing. Millie also reflects on her later ADHD and autism diagnosis, and how it helped her understand why neurodivergent minds can be more vulnerable to using alcohol as relief. From a simple question that can help you reflect on your own relationship with drinking, to the reality that sobriety is only the beginning, this is an honest conversation about dependency, identity, and recovery. This episode covers the following themes: High-Functioning Addiction, Hangxiety, Neurodivergence, Social Stigma, and Authentic Recovery. Need Support? Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org Narcotics Anonymous: na.org Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk Shout: https: giveusashout.org IAPT: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/ AG1 👉Head to http://drinkag1.com/onthemend to save £20 on your first month, plus a free welcome kit, Vitamin D3 + K2 and five travel packs Better Help 👉 Join Matt in Saying It Louder with 10% off Betterhelp Therapy. Click here: https://highpfrmc.com/otm-betterhelp-au  Postcode Lottery 👉 Discover how Postcode Lottery players are Powering Hope Together. Click here to find out more: https://highpfrmc.com/otm-postcode-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Millie Gooch: Alcohol Addiction, Blackouts and Hangover Anxiety

  8. 29 Jun

    The Moment Dr. Tara Knew Her Marriage Was Over

    Sexologist and TV expert Dr. Tara Suwinyattichaiporn (Celebs Go Dating, 90 Day Fiancé) joins us to break the heavy silence and shame surrounding sex, intimacy, and recovery. In a particularly raw moment, Matt admits he’s never spoken openly about sex with another man, highlighting the exact stigma that causes so many men to suffer in silence. Dr. Tara, who has built an audience of over 2 million followers sharing advice on modern relationships, unpacks the reality of hypersexuality and how using sex to escape emotional pain only deepens our wounds. She shares her own journey of breaking free from oppressive cultural expectations, while offering vital advice on navigating heartbreak, handling mismatched desire, and practicing sexual mindfulness. It’s an essential, judgment-free conversation about learning to listen to your body and trading performance for genuine connection. This episode covers the following themes: Hypersexuality, Shame, Heartbreak, Male Stigma, and Connection. Need Support? Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org Narcotics Anonymous: na.org Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk Shout: https: giveusashout.org IAPT: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/ Dr Tara’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luvbites.co/ Interested in booking Dr. Tara? Enquire about her availability for appearances worldwide through MN2S. https://mn2s.com/booking-agency/talent-roster/dr-tara/ AG1 👉 Head to drinkag1.com/onthemend to save £20 on your first month, plus a free welcome kit, Vitamin D3 + K2 and five travel packs Better Help 👉 Join Matt in Saying It Louder with 10% off Betterhelp Therapy. Click here: https://highpfrmc.com/otm-betterhelp-au Postcode Lottery 👉 Discover how Postcode Lottery players are Powering Hope Together. Click here to find out more: https://highpfrmc.com/otm-postcode-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Moment Dr. Tara Knew Her Marriage Was Over
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On The Mend is the podcast where we look back at life’s hardest moments to understand how to move forward, with honesty, heart, and hope. In each episode, Matt Willis explores recovery, resilience, and mental strength through open and honest conversations. Some episodes feature guests sharing powerful stories of personal transformation. Others bring in expert voices offering practical tools and insights, and in solo episodes, Matt reflects on his own journey through addiction, identity, and healing. This is a space for anyone navigating life’s challenges. On The Mend is your companion through the highs, lows, and everything in between. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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