On The Mend

High Performance
  • 5.0 (7)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. Roy Stride (Scouting for Girls) Admits Alcohol Problem, Anxiety and Recovery Journey

    2D AGO

    Roy Stride (Scouting for Girls) Admits Alcohol Problem, Anxiety and Recovery Journey

    Scouting for Girls frontman Roy Stride achieved global fame and number-one albums, but behind the scenes, he was wearing a mask. For 25 years, he used alcohol to bridge the gap between his public persona and a deep-seated feeling of never being "enough," eventually spiraling into a high-functioning nightmare of secret drinking and pre-show panic attacks. In this episode, Roy pulls back the curtain on the exhaustion of the "secret life." He reveals the extreme lengths he went to hide his addiction, from filling non-alcoholic cans with real beer to drinking 30 units a day while on tour.  Roy also discusses the moment his dream became a prison, his initial skepticism of recovery, and how leaning into the "weirdness" of AA saved his marriage, his career, and his life. This is a powerful exploration of why life in recovery is infinitely better than the "belonging" found in a bottle. This episode covers the following themes: Addiction, High-Functioning Anxiety, Recovery, and Finding Belonging. 'Scouting for Girls' new album These Are The Good Days' is out now 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/ Heights👉 Join Matt in getting your energy back with Vitals. 20% off here: https://highpfrmc.com/au3-OTM20 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.

    58 min
  2. GRIEF LED ME TO ALCOHOL | Sky Sports' Simon Thomas

    APR 27

    GRIEF LED ME TO ALCOHOL | Sky Sports' Simon Thomas

    Sky Sports presenter Simon Thomas delivers one of the most raw and honest accounts of grief and addiction ever shared in the public eye. Following the sudden death of his wife, Gemma, Simon faced a years-long battle with secret drinking while navigating the pressures of public life and parenthood. In this episode, he exposes the "release valve" of alcohol that promised an escape but led to a darker reality. Simon also shares the complexities of finding love again with his partner Doina, the crushing weight of "being strong," and the powerful realization that while life will never be the same, it can, and will, be good again. This episode covers the following themes: Grief, Addiction, Resilience, Fatherhood, and 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/ Heights👉 Join Matt in getting your energy back with Vitals. 20% off here: https://highpfrmc.com/au3-OTM20 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    57 min
  3. Arsenal Captain Tony Adams: Giving Up, Surviving Recovery and Reaching 30 Years Sober

    APR 20

    Arsenal Captain Tony Adams: Giving Up, Surviving Recovery and Reaching 30 Years Sober

    Arsenal legend and former England captain Tony Adams joins us to reflect on 30 years of sobriety, and the moment he realised that despite having everything, he didn’t know who he was. He opens up about the reality behind the legendary football career, the blackouts, the hidden struggles, and the breaking point where he no longer wanted to be alive. Tony also shares the specific, raw moment of surrender that finally led him to an unexpected encounter, offering him a sense of peace he’d never known. This is a conversation about identity beyond the pitch and the daily work of recovery, proving that one decision can change the trajectory of a life forever. This episode covers the following themes: Addiction, Identity, Sobriety, Recovery, Mental Health. Tony will run the London Marathon on 26th April for The Forward Trust, where he is the new Chair, helping people overcome addiction and offending. Read more on Tony's work with Six here: https://www.sixmha.org/staystopped ‘1996: Reflections on the Year that Changed My Life’ by Tony Adams is out now: https://amzn.eu/d/07jIgx95 Randox Health 👉 Take care of your health today and into the future. Save 20% on all health checks now with the code OTM20 at: https://highpfrmc.com/OTM_Randox_yt2  Heights👉 Join Matt in getting your energy back with Vitals. 20% off here: https://highpfrmc.com/au3-OTM20 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 3m
  4. What It’s REALLY Like Being The Child Of An Alcoholic | Vicky Pattison

    APR 13

    What It’s REALLY Like Being The Child Of An Alcoholic | Vicky Pattison

    TV personality, author and radio presenter, Vicky Pattison, discusses her journey through self-care, addiction, and healing from the trauma of being a child of an alcoholic. She opens up about how her mantra “you can’t pour from an empty cup” became crucial for managing anxiety, and the pain of realising she’d been an enabler to her father. Vicky also talks about using her second chance on I’m a Celebrity to reshape her life and break free from shame, encouraging others to speak out about addiction. This episode covers the following themes: addiction, family trauma, self-care, stigma, and transformation. 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/ Randox Health 👉 Take care of your health today and into the future. Save 20% on all health checks now with the code OTM20 at: https://highpfrmc.com/OTM_Randox_yt2  Saily 👉 Download SAILY in your app store and use our code mend at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For further details go to https://saily.com/mend Heights👉 Join Matt in getting your energy back with Vitals. 20% off here: https://highpfrmc.com/au3-OTM20 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    50 min
  5. Spencer Matthews: Drinking, Lying, and How Vogue Saved Him

    APR 6

    Spencer Matthews: Drinking, Lying, and How Vogue Saved Him

    TV personality and endurance athlete Spencer Matthews joins Matt Willis to talk openly about how alcohol quietly took over his life, from waking up drunk and lying to the people closest to him, to feeling isolated, ashamed, and completely disconnected from the person he wanted to be. He shares how drinking stopped being social and became something he was doing alone, and the moment that forced him to confront what was really going on. There’s no neat turning point, just the realisation that something had to change. Spencer also reflects on channeling his addictive personality into endurance challenges, the structure that now keeps him on track, and the ongoing tension of replacing one obsession with another. This episode covers the following themes: addiction, shame, relationships, identity, recovery, discipline, and transformation. 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/ Heights👉 Join Matt in getting your energy back with Vitals. 20% off here: https://highpfrmc.com/au3-OTM20  Randox Health 👉 Take care of your health today and into the future. Save 20% on all health checks now with the code OTM20 at: https://highpfrmc.com/OTM_Randox-au2 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    41 min
  6. Were YOU parented by a narcissist? Kathleen Saxton helps you identify the traits

    MAR 30

    Were YOU parented by a narcissist? Kathleen Saxton helps you identify the traits

    This week’s guest is Kathleen Saxton, who dives deep into the complexities of narcissism, family dynamics, and the painful journey of healing from childhood wounds. Kathleen breaks down the three types of narcissists, ‘grandiose’, ‘covert’, and ‘malignant’, offering an eye-opening framework, particularly highlighting covert narcissists who use pity and victimhood for supply. She explores how children of narcissists often stop loving themselves, losing their sense of identity in the process, and how family roles like the golden child, scapegoat, and lost child perpetuate unhealthy patterns. Kathleen also explains why those raised by narcissistic parents tend to attract similar partners, as dysfunction feels like home. Through practical tools like the "empty chair technique" and her three-step recovery roadmap: accept, have compassion for yourself, and design your future, Kathleen offers actionable steps to begin healing.  This episode covers the following themes: narcissism, family dynamics, identity, healing, boundaries, and self-compassion. 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/ Heights👉 Join Matt in getting your energy back with Vitals. 20% off here: https://highpfrmc.com/au3-OTM20  Randox Health 👉 Take care of your health today and into the future. Save 20% on all health checks now with the code OTM20 at: https://highpfrmc.com/OTM_Randox-au2 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    53 min
  7. Diagnosed with Autism at 40: Professor Green’s Story

    MAR 23

    Diagnosed with Autism at 40: Professor Green’s Story

    This week’s guest is Professor Green, who opens up about his journey of self-discovery, healing, and growth, and the ongoing process of learning from past mistakes. Professor Green shares his struggles with shame and addiction, discussing how he broke free from the cycle of destructive behavior by rejecting the people who kept him stuck. He talks about his late diagnosis of ADHD and autism, which helped him understand his challenges and stop masking his true self. He also discusses the power of taking ownership of his actions, the role of medication in his recovery, and his near-death experience with substance misuse. This episode covers the following themes: identity, shame, addiction, ADHD, autism, vulnerability, recovery, and transformation. Listen to Professor Green’s new single, “No Management” 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/ Saily 👉 Download SAILY in your app store and use our code mend at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For further details go to https://saily.com/mend Heights👉 Join Matt in getting your energy back with Vitals. 20% off here: https://highpfrmc.com/au3-OTM20  Randox Health 👉 Take care of your health today and into the future. Save 20% on all health checks now with the code OTM20 at: https://highpfrmc.com/OTM_Randox_au1 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    36 min
  8. Matt Willis Q&A: Addiction, Getting Sober and Facing Your Emotions

    MAR 16

    Matt Willis Q&A: Addiction, Getting Sober and Facing Your Emotions

    Have you ever realised that the biggest obstacle to your growth might be you? In this solo episode, Matt Willis answers your questions and shares powerful moments from his personal journey through addiction, recovery, and the ongoing work of self-awareness. Matt talks about the emotional realisation he had when he understood he was the common denominator in all his drinking situations, and how being "emotionally young" in recovery has challenged him to confront feelings he once numbed with alcohol.  He also shares the pivotal moment when Jack Osborne planted the seed for his decision to seek help and how rock bottom doesn’t always look like you’d expect. With practical recovery tools, including the "Fact or Thought" technique for managing negative self-talk, and the importance of self-compassion, Matt offers a raw and honest look at his journey.  This episode is about embracing vulnerability, facing tough truths, and continuing to move forward, no matter how imperfect the process. This episode covers the following themes: addiction, sobriety, self-awareness, and personal growth. Heights👉 Join Matt in getting your energy back with Vitals. 20% off here: https://highpfrmc.com/au3-OTM20 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    52 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

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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