Fighting To Speak: Rugby, Rage & Redemption

Today’s featured guest is Mark Jones. Mark Jones was a talented and ferocious dual-code rugby player who was tormented by a debilitating stammer.  During a professional career that spanned 22 years he was capped 15 times for Wales, 11 times for Wales RL and once by Great Britain RL.  One of the acknowledged ‘bad-boys’ of the sport, he was sent off six times and banned for over 33 weeks for violent conduct. His on-field brutality was a direct consequence of the off-field frustration and self-loathing caused by his stammer.  Mark now acknowledges that he was internalizing an explosive hate that only playing rugby could release. Mark received counselling and constructive help rather than condemnation for his unacceptable behavior and along with a program of speech therapy provided by his friends and mentors, all this has helped him turn his life around.  “I have learnt to control my stammer and have stopped my stammer controlling me. Anyone who has suffered from a stammer will know of the humiliation and low self-esteem it creates.  Thankfully, I have now found a way to live my life free from its grip and I hope that my honesty and insight will help others experiencing the same torment.” 

I believe that there is healing in sharing, and I want to thank Mark for sharing his story with me today.

LINKS

Email: Mark Jones c/o -  belfaststammer@gmail.com

Book:  https://www.amazon.com/Fighting-Speak-Rugby-Rage-Redemption/dp/1904609015

Thank you to Noah Swiderski (owner and producer of Briton Beats) for your outro music. For more information on Briton Beats, click this link:  https://www.britonmedia.com/editing

Thank you to Epidemic Sound for the intro music.  https://www.epidemicsound.com/

Thank you to Mike Russell for that voice over outro.  https://musicradiocreative.com

If you would like to support this podcast, then I would love a cup of coffee: buymeacoff.ee/mslpodcast   

Website:  https://mystutteringlife.com