TW - This episode includes reference to suicidal ideation and eating disordersIntroducing the latest episode of Tackling it Together, “What’s Next?.. Everything”, in conversation with Andy McAdam. This is a very special and personal episode for us, as we sit down with good friend and Chester RUFC legend Andy, to have one of our most insightful and powerful conversations to date. Andy reflects on his life as a husband, father, teacher and rugby player, and openly shares the highs and lows he has experienced. As a secondary school teacher for 30 years, a role that Andy describes as a pleasure and a privilege, he talks honestly about his struggle to manage stress, and be the best teacher he could be, without sacrificing all of his spare time to work. With candid honesty, Andy shares how his previous inability to understand and process feelings that he now knows to be caused by stress, meant he experienced some very dark thoughts. By voicing those thoughts, and developing a relationship with stress that made it easier for him to recognise the signs, he has been able to get help and utilise effective coping strategies. A huge advocate for the power of counselling, Andy shares how talking to people, and meeting others who are experiencing similar difficulties makes a big difference, and makes you feel less alone. Andy reflects on his role as a Dad, and how counselling has supported him to communicate in a different way with his family. Recording this conversation with us has taken Andy way out of his comfort zone, but we know the perspective he shares is going to be incredibly powerful for our listeners, and will particularly resonate with those who know him, and serve as a reminder that you never know what somebody is going through behind a big, friendly smile. Andy's words about living life to the full ring particularly true - "What’s next? Everything I can. Because I might not be here tomorrow". Thank you Andy - you're an absolute legend!A big thank you to our core sponsor, NTS for your commitment to Tackling it Together.

In this powerful episode, stunt performer, martial artist and coach Jon Santry opens up about losing friends to suicide, the impact of addiction, hitting rock bottom, and how martial arts, therapy and self-awareness helped him rebuild himself.

Sharing some incredible insights, Jon’s words will undoubtedly resonate with anybody who has experienced mental health difficulties.

His message is simple but powerful - build boundaries, take responsibility, look after your sleep and diet, and keep adding tools to your mental well-being toolkit.

Remarkably, Jon also appears in the upcoming Eddie Hall documentary, making this episode especially timely and relevant.This is a conversation about masculinity, mental health, resilience and finding your own meaning in life.

If you’ve ever questioned your purpose, struggled in silence or wondered how to keep moving forward when life hits hard, this episode is for you.Thank you to our core sponsor, NTS for supporting Tackling it Together.

A huge thank you to Jon for your bravery, transparency and openness in sharing your journey.

You will undoubtedly inspire others.

#TacklingItTogether #MentalHealth #Masculinity #Resilience #JohnSantry #EddieHall #Podcast #LittleBlackbird #WinTheInnerFight

Introducing one of our most powerful episodes of Tackling it Together to date, “Championing Resilience”, in conversation with Paul Reed.Paul, the MD of Vortex Performance Academy, and Strength & Conditioning coach of Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett, sits down with us to talk openly about vulnerability, resilience and coping with stress.In this honest account, Paul shares reflections about reaching a point in his life where stress became unmanageable, having a hugely significant impact on both his mental and physical health.It was a life changing conversation with a Doctor that put things into perspective for Paul, as he had the realisation that stress could kill him. With insightful discussion around the importance of effective communication in his role as a coach, Paul emphasises the importance of building authentic, honest relationships that open up opportunities for meaningful communication. A huge advocate for the power of demonstrating vulnerability, Paul talks about how he is now able to be vulnerable with his team, and praises some of the toughest athletes in the world for the way in which they publicly demonstrate vulnerability themselves, reflecting on how Resilience has changed the lives of so many of the athletes he coaches.Paul reflects that nothing that changes your life is going to be easy, but that focussing on your Mental Health is going to be the best thing you can ever out effort in to.A huge thank you to our Core Sponsor, NTS for sponsoring this episode of Tackling it Together. Trigger warning – this episode includes reference to suicidal ideation.#MaleMentalHealth #VortexPerformanceAcademy #Chester #Resilience #PaddyTheBaddy #MensPodcast #Vulnerability #Stress #TacklingitTogether