On The Mend

High Performance
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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. Matt Willis on Why There’s No Such Thing as a Perfect Parent

    3 DAYS AGO

    Matt Willis on Why There’s No Such Thing as a Perfect Parent

    In this solo episode, Matt Willis reflects on parenting through the lens of recovery in “The Parent I’m Trying To Be.” With honesty and vulnerability, he shares how fatherhood has shaped his growth, from owning up to mistakes to breaking cycles from his own upbringing. This isn’t a guide to perfect parenting, but a candid reflection on presence over perfection, the value of everyday “junk time,” and allowing children to fully feel their emotions. Matt reflects on how parenting continues to shape him, teaching consistency, gratitude, and connection, while inviting listeners to share their own stories along the way. A heartfelt and relatable look at the imperfect but transformative journey of parenthood. Heights 👉 Join Matt. Whatever you’re mending, Heights has you covered. 20% off all products here: https://highpfrmc.com/otm-combo-au 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/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    28 min
  2. Sum 41's Deryck Whibley: Talking Sobriety After My Near Death Experience | EXCLUSIVE

    8 SEPT

    Sum 41's Deryck Whibley: Talking Sobriety After My Near Death Experience | EXCLUSIVE

    Deryck Whibley joins Matt for a powerful and unfiltered conversation about addiction, recovery, and the lessons hidden in life’s hardest moments. The singer-songwriter opens up about why he chose to write his book entirely in his own words, valuing authenticity over polish, and reflects on the role of memory, mistakes, and vulnerability in personal growth. He also shares openly about his struggles with addiction, the courage it takes to face dependency, and the idea that even injury and adversity can be unexpected gifts.  From the importance of focusing on positivity and taking responsibility for your own happiness, to embracing uncertainty and letting go of old grievances, Deryck’s journey is a reminder that recovery is not just about survival, it’s about renewal, connection, and the courage to face the unknown. Heights 👉 Join Matt. Whatever you’re mending, Heights has you covered, 20% off all products here: https://highpfrmc.com/otm-combo-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    53 min
  3. What If I Fail? (And Why That’s OK)

    1 SEPT

    What If I Fail? (And Why That’s OK)

    What if failure was the key to success? In this solo episode, Matt Willis opens up about his own fear of failure, from the nerves of launching a new season to the deeper anxieties that have shaped his life. Drawing on Simon Sinek’s ideas and his own lived experience, Matt explores why fear of failure is universal, how it can hold us back, and how it can also drive us forward. With raw honesty, he shares practical ways to reframe failure as growth and explains why embracing it is essential for creativity, resilience, and real progress. Heights 👉 Join Matt. Whatever you’re mending, Heights has you covered, 20% off all products here: Audio Link: https://highpfrmc.com/otm-combo-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    18 min
  4. What Happens When Success Becomes Your Addiction? Gary Stevenson’s Story

    25 AUG

    What Happens When Success Becomes Your Addiction? Gary Stevenson’s Story

    This week's guest is Gary Stevenson, a former top trader who knows firsthand what happens when success becomes an addiction. At the height of his career, he was winning big, but behind the scenes, his health, happiness, and humanity were breaking down. Gary pulls back the curtain on the trading world, revealing why “money = happiness” is a dangerous lie, how high-stakes trading mirrors gambling, and the hidden addiction spreading fast among young men. He shares the mental toll of life in a relentless game where even relationships become power plays, and the deep depression that can hide behind outward success. This is a raw, unfiltered look at the addictive side of ambition, and the personal cost of chasing wins at all costs. Heights 👉 Join Matt. Whatever you’re mending, Heights has you covered, 20% off all products here: https://highpfrmc.com/otm-combo-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    52 min
  5. What Love Is Blind Taught Matt Willis About Connection and the Truth About Busted

    18 AUG

    What Love Is Blind Taught Matt Willis About Connection and the Truth About Busted

    In this raw solo episode, Matt Willis shares the untold side of his journey, from Busted fame to hitting rock bottom, and why real recovery only began when he stopped trying to do it alone. Matt opens up about the power of vulnerability, the fear of rejection, and the moment he had to admit relapse to his wife. He explores why connection is the one thing that saved him, and why healing isn’t possible without it. From the fear of rejection to the power of forgiveness, this is a raw and personal reflection on why we can’t do recovery alone, and how connection can change everything.  Partners:  Heights 👉 Join Matt in getting your energy back with Vitals 20% off here: https://highpfrmc.com/OTM Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    24 min
  6. How a Phone Call on Air Changed Iain Lee’s Life Forever

    11 AUG

    How a Phone Call on Air Changed Iain Lee’s Life Forever

    After decades in the spotlight as a broadcaster, comedian, and writer, Iain Lee found himself in a moment that would change and possibly save, more than one life. In this powerful episode, Iain recounts the night a caller to his late-night radio show shared that he had taken an overdose. What followed was a raw, real-time crisis that showed the power of being present and how connection, even through a radio line, can save someone’s life. Iain opens up about how that moment led him to retrain as a counsellor, his experience living with ADHD, and what it means to sit with people in their darkest moments. With vulnerability, insight, and deep empathy, this episode is a reminder that healing starts with being heard. Partners:  Heights👉 Join Matt in getting your energy back with Vitals 20% off here: https://highpfrmc.com/OTM 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/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 1m
  7. Why I Had to Stop Everything: Burnout, Recovery & Real Talk | Season 3 Starts Here

    4 AUG

    Why I Had to Stop Everything: Burnout, Recovery & Real Talk | Season 3 Starts Here

    We’re back! In this brand new season of On The Mend, Matt Willis opens up about what he’s been up to recently, alongside his struggles with overwhelm and the ongoing work of recovery. He shares what’s been helping, from hobbies to gratitude and sets the tone for a season full of raw, real conversations with guests, experts, and you.  Expect new segments, deeper honesty, and powerful stories about what it really means to move forward. 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: england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/ Partners 🚨 Heights 👉 Join Matt in getting your energy back with Vitals. 20% off here: https://highpfrmc.com/OTM Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    28 min

  8. 09/10/2024

    Jordan Stephens on ADHD, Sobriety and Relearning Healthy Relationships

    This week’s guest is the musician, actor, writer, and podcaster Jordan Stephens. Jordan’s probably best known for Rizzle Kicks, the chart-topping duo he formed with his friend Harley Alexander-Sule, back in 2008. He's since released music as a solo artist, starred in various TV and film projects, published a children’s book, and now he’s written a memoir: Avoidance, Drugs, Heartbreak and Dogs. In this conversation the pair discuss education, the impact of overnight success, ADHD, medication and self-medication, as well as their shared interest in psychedelics and Jordan’s journey towards healthier relationships. For more information on some of the subjects Jordan mentioned, there are links below (including more on Professor Nutt and that toad venom). And Jordan WILL return to On The Mend. These two just have too much in common. Related links: Jordan’s website Rizzle Kicks on Instagram Matt’s interview with Jordan on MTV Faces BRIT School bursaries Alan Watts on education Dr Gabor Maté The Anxious Generation by Joanthan Haidt Johann Hari’s episode of On The Mend Professor David Nutt and drug classification A 2002 overview of the link between football hooliganism and ecstasy The effects of the inhalation of dried toad secretion containing 5-MeO-DMT The ongoing study at King’s College, London The Esther Perel quote was incorrectly attributed but she’s a fan of the person who said it, Terry Real: “Under patriarchy, you can be connected, or you can be powerful, but you can't be both at the same time because power is power over, not power with, it’s dominance. So, if you move into power, you lose connection. If you move into accommodation, you lose your power. I want to break that binary.” Donna Lancaster & The Bridge Retreat (01:02) Jordan’s childhood (05:28) BRIT School and creative education (11:48) Rizzle Kicks, Busted and dealing with overnight success (16:36) ADHD: from voice notes to diagnoses (plural) (20:34) ADHD: medication and self-medication  (27:40) Pattern recognition and relationships (29:07) Sobriety and overcoming writer’s block (30:54) Managing social media use (35:52) Psychedelics (including dried toad secretion) (45:43) Pressure to achieve vs connection (47:02) Educating the next generation about relationships (54:15) Matt’s conclusion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    57 min
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About

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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