5. Dale Thomas On: AFL, the Inner Critic, Values and Navigating Mental Health Challenges and Retirement

Dale Thomas a former professional Australian rules footballer who made his mark with Collingwood and Carlton. Growing up in country Victoria, he idolized Gary Ablett Snr and showcased his talent early, earning recognition in the TAC Cup Team of the Year and as an All-Australian during the 2005 Under-18 Championships where he represented VIC country.Collingwood selected him as their top pick in the 2005 AFL draft, where he became so popular in his first season of AFL, that guernsey’s with his number sold twice as many as the then captain, Nathan Buckley .In 2010, he played a crucial role in Collingwood's premiership win. In 2013, he joined Carlton, reuniting with former coach Mick Malthouse.Dale retired in 2019, after a remarkable 14-season career spanning 258 games. Today, he's become a prominent figure in AFL media, staying connected with fans and cultivating enduring brand partnerships. Beyond football and his unexpected foray into writing children's books (about poo), he's an avid golfer and racing enthusiast, engaged to be married and a proud dad to daughter Tilly.In this episode, we delve into his inspiring journey as an Australian sports hero, the relentless inner critic, the importance of family values and navigating mental health and retirement.Connect with Dale:Connect with him on Instagram @dthomas_39Connect with Steph:Connect with me on Instagram @stephiepremCheck out my websiteApply to work with mePS. Are you loving the podcast? I'd appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review for the show! This helps me support more driven, high-performing women, like you, to move toward achieving and sustaining Balance and Mindfulness amongst the ‘mess’ that is life. Don't forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you don't miss out on any new episodes when they drop. Happy listening!