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The High Performance Podcast

E23 - Jonny Wilkinson: how a mental health crisis led to a life of exploration

The High Performance Podcast

High Performance

Sports, Growth Mindset, Mindset, Non-negotiables, High Performance, Health & Fitness, Life Lessons

4.64.8K Ratings

🗓️ 21 September 2020

⏱️ 91 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Jonny Wilkinson is one of the most decorated and recognisable faces in rugby history. Jonny scored 1,246 points from 97 Test appearances, the most famous being his drop goal that won the World Cup for England in 2003.

In a stellar career Jonny would accumulate four Six Nations titles with England and at club level he left Newcastle after helping them to Premiership and Powergen Cup titles and joined RC Toulon winning the Top 14 and European Cup.

But Jonny’s public success is only part of his story. He speaks frankly and inspiringly about the pressure of expectation and the mental health implications of leading a life defined by others.


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Transcript

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0:00.0

Hi there, welcome along to this week's high performance podcast. As always, it's so nice to see the messages and the thoughts that you've had after last week's episode, but it is really important to us if you're able to rate it and review it and share it with as many people as you like. Of course you can follow us.

0:16.0

Across Instagram, I'm at J.Cumpfrey. Damian is at LiquidThinker and you can also find the podcast at high performance on Instagram and check out our YouTube channel as well. This podcast is here to challenge you and this week's guest will do just that. Trust me, you simply will not be expecting the kind of conversation that you're about to hear.

0:39.0

I want to be all I can be. If I'm going to do that, I've got to stop looking at rugby. It's a bit like winning the World Cup. The immensity of that, the ecstasy of that moment, incredible. But within three or four seconds, it's on the decline. There's no lasting nature to it.

0:56.0

There's that and so much more to come from this week's fascinating guest. Let's do it then. It's time for this week's episode of the high performance podcast.

1:06.0

This is an advertisement from BetterHelp Therapy Online. Now, we're really proud of the fact that we have the kinds of conversations about mental health on this podcast that you don't hear in so many different places.

1:18.0

And the reason is because we believe and research shows that the more people talk, then the more accepting they are of the challenges in their life and the more accepting they are, then the more open they are and ready they are to seek help.

1:31.0

Sometimes, like seeking help can still be a challenge, but that is where BetterHelp comes in. With over 1000 therapists in the UK already, BetterHelp can provide access to mental health professionals with a wide variety of expertise in mental health.

1:46.0

So, if you're struggling or if you've got challenges and look, I have been there, I have been on that journey, then BetterHelp can connect you with a therapist who can take you on your own journey of self discovery, wherever you are and whatever your issues.

1:59.0

Because I think that sometimes we don't know exactly what we need or want until we seek that help.

2:05.0

And we also want to help you. So, by listening to this podcast, you can get 10% off your first month out BetterHelp.

2:13.0

All you need to do is go to BetterHelp. That's BetterHELP.com slash performance for 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com.

2:24.0

This episode of High Performance is sponsored by Husqvarna. They're a Swedish brand and the global market leader in the robotic lawn mowing world.

2:31.0

In fact, Husqvarna are the innovative brand behind Automoa. The world's first grass cutting robots. So, people never need to worry about mowing their lawn again and you can make your garden better with your own Husqvarna Automoa.

2:43.0

Now, as you know, we don't promote things on here unless we love them and believe in them. And I was lucky to be gifted a robotic lawn mower from Husqvarna's X-Lime Range.

2:50.0

And because time is a bit of an enemy for me, you know, I'm doing the school run creating this podcast presenting TV programs.

2:57.0

And all the time, the grass is getting longer and longer in the gardens looking messier. And honestly, I can't tell you, we've basically got this new robotic lawn mower and it just looks after itself.

3:06.0

It takes itself home when it's running lawn battery. It knows which parts of the garden to cut. You don't have to collect the clippings. The lawn looks healthy and really gorgeous.

3:13.0

I've also got this cool little app so I can see, I can literally look at a picture and see what our mower called Matilda is doing at the moment. I think it's fantastic.

3:22.0

By the way, the kid's named Herman Tilda. And if you're interested in getting involved in this new era of robotic lawn mowering, you can do just that.

3:29.0

You can use the AutoMoa buying guide on the Husqvarna website. And once you've worked out which model you like, you can shop online or if you prefer, speak to an expert, install, and their local dealers can help you find the right model for your needs.

3:41.0

They'll even install it for you. So make your garden better with a Husqvarna Automoa. I am.

3:52.0

Hi there. I'm Jay Cumpfrey. You're listening to high performance, the podcast that delves into the minds of some of the most successful athletes, visionaries, entrepreneurs, and artists on the planet.

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