Hurt to Healing

Today, I’m joined by former England rugby player, best-selling author, podcaster and media personality, James Haskell. Known for his larger-than-life presence both on and off the field, James has been on a journey of self-discovery, navigating the highs and lows of professional sport, dealing with ADHD, and embracing new challenges after retiring from rugby.In this conversation, James opens up about his childhood, how his ADHD diagnosis shaped his early years, and the impact of professional rugby on his mental and physical well-being. We explore his experience with therapy, the lessons he’s learned about self-discipline and confidence, and how he continues to push himself beyond his comfort zone—whether that’s in fitness, music, or public speaking. This episode is an honest and inspiring look at the importance of self-acceptance, and how we can all keep evolving, no matter what life throws our way.Find James:Instagram: @jameshaskellWebsite: https://jameshaskell.co.uk/Podcasts: https://jameshaskell.co.uk/podcast/Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpodTikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpodLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healingSubstack: substack.com/@hurttohealingWebsite: hurttohealing.co.uk

In this solo episode, I open up about what it really feels like to slow down - not by choice, but by necessity - and how it's been forcing me to confront old fears, routines, and the way I measure my worth. I share how an injury has made me rethink productivity, presence, and the masks we wear to seem like we're doing fine when we're not. It's a vulnerable one, but I hope it reminds you that wherever you are right now is exactly where you're meant to be.I also talk about learning to trust myself again, the beauty in spontaneity, and how we can all rewrite our stories no matter what stage of life we're in. From dealing with anxiety to finding comfort in simple rituals, this episode is a gentle reminder that change is possible, slowing down is powerful, and your energy - and your story - are entirely yours to reclaim.Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpodTikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpodLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healingSubstack: substack.com/@hurttohealingWebsite: hurttohealing.co.uk

Jessica Clarke is a model, entrepreneur, and co-founder of the wellness brand Mother Made. Born and raised in New Zealand with strong Māori roots, Jessica grew up surrounded by holistic healing, a deep connection to nature, and a family who believed in the body’s ability to restore itself.In this episode of Healing 101, Jessica shares how her own experiences with burnout and imbalance led her to reconnect with those early teachings—and ultimately launch a brand focused on the power of functional mushrooms. We talk about the realities of healing behind the scenes of the fashion industry, the importance of listening to your body, and how ancient wisdom is helping shape a new approach to modern wellness.Find Mother Made: https://mothermade.uk/Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpodTikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpodLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healingSubstack: substack.com/@hurttohealingWebsite: hurttohealing.co.uk

In today's episode, I sit down with Dr. Chuks to explore the deeply layered world of eating disorders - how they often begin, what fuels them, and why they can be so difficult to detect and treat. We talk about the connection between stress and disordered eating around major life events, the dangerous expectations placed on our bodies before weddings and holidays, and how social media and comparison can quietly chip away at our sense of self. I share some of my own experiences navigating anorexia, the crossover between restriction and bingeing, and the importance of recognising emotional triggers.Whether you're personally affected, supporting someone who is, or just curious to understand this often misunderstood illness a bit better—this conversation holds space for honesty, reflection, and healing.Find Dr Chuks:Book: https://amzn.eu/d/b1zIkj6Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpodTikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpodLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healingSubstack: substack.com/@hurttohealingWebsite: hurttohealing.co.uk

In this week’s solo episode, I open up about something deeply personal - navigating another stress injury and the emotional spiral it triggered. I reflect on the long-term effects of an eating disorder, the lessons I’ve had to learn (and re-learn), and the importance of catching ourselves before we fall too far down a familiar rabbit hole. From stress fractures and stubborn inner critics to spontaneous lunches and surprising friendships, I try to make sense of what it means to find softness in setbacks. I talk about shame, healing, and the very human urge to control everything - even when we know we can’t. There’s some Adam Grant wisdom, a sprinkle of Maria Shriver, and a few thoughts about letting life surprise you. And, yes, I do circle back to the bizarre comfort of knowing that sometimes, we really are exactly where we’re meant to be.Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpodTikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpodLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healingSubstack: substack.com/@hurttohealingWebsite: hurttohealing.co.uk

In this Healing 101 episode, I sit down with James Withey - writer, speaker, and founder of The Recovery Letters project - to explore what it really means to live with depression.James shares his personal journey, from struggling with depression since childhood to facing suicidal thoughts and time in psychiatric hospitals. Through vulnerability, wit, and warmth, he helps break the silence and stigma around mental illness.In this episode, we discuss:How depression can feel like deep isolation—and why connection is so vitalThe power of tracking small wins and challenging internal negative narrativesWhy asking for help doesn’t mean surrendering controlNavigating shame, support, and the difficult act of reaching outA message of hope: that healing is possible, and joy can returnWhether you're supporting someone with depression or facing it yourself, this conversation is a reminder that you’re not alone - and that even in darkness, there’s a path forward.Buy James's book on depression: https://amzn.eu/d/igcshWM Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us at @hurttohealingpod on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!

Today, I’m joined by James Longman, an award-winning journalist and author of The Inherited Mind, for a deeply personal and powerful conversation about mental illness, family history, and the complexities of healing.James opens up about his father’s struggles with schizophrenia and suicide, and how that experience shaped his own battles with depression and anxiety. Writing his latest book—a deeply personal exploration of his family’s history—was both cathartic and incredibly challenging, forcing him to confront his past while also trying to make sense of mental illness in a wider context.We also discuss the stigma that still surrounds mental health, the complexities of diagnosis and treatment, and the role of medication and community-based care. But more than anything, this conversation is about humanising mental illness, understanding it beyond labels, and recognizing the real people behind these experiences.It’s a raw, thought-provoking discussion, and I’m so grateful to James for sharing his story.Find James:Instagram: @jamesaalongmanBuy his book: https://amzn.eu/d/fzUO5B5

In my first ever solo episode, I open up about the challenges of living with OCD, the fear of doing something new, and the everyday battles that come with a long-term mental health condition. I reflect on the power of saying "yes" even when it feels uncomfortable, the slow process of reclaiming joy, and what it’s taken to begin moving beyond the rigid, compulsive structure my OCD once demanded. This episode is about the tension between survival and connection—and the courage it takes to let people in, even when it feels safer to hide.I also share a few thoughts from my weekly Substack newsletter, talk about the shame that so often comes with mental illness, and my hope for building a more open, empathetic community. From feeling misunderstood to learning how to trust myself again, this is a deeply personal reflection on what it means to heal in public—not just in hindsight. If you’ve ever felt alone in your mental health journey, I hope this resonates with you.Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpodTikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpodLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healingSubstack: substack.com/@hurttohealingWebsite: hurttohealing.co.uk

In this episode of Healing 101, we explore the fascinating link between gut health and mental well-being with Dr. Federica Amati. The gut-brain axis plays a crucial role in everything from mood regulation to cognitive function, and emerging research shows that what we eat directly impacts our mental health.Dr. Amati breaks down:How the gut microbiome influences brain chemistry and mental well-beingThe role of diet in reducing symptoms of depression and anxietyWhy inflammation, leaky gut, and SIBO can disrupt the gut-brain connectionHow the Mediterranean diet supports both gut and brain healthThis episode is packed with practical, science-backed insights on how small dietary changes can make a big difference to mental well-being. If you’re looking for an easy yet powerful way to support your health, this conversation is a must-listen.Find Fede:Instagram: @dr.fede.amatiBuy Fede's book: https://amzn.eu/d/8wIhU2cFollow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us at @hurttohealingpod on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!