Breakdown, Bipolar, and the Rugby Comeback – Tyler Kania

Send us Fan Mail- CONTENT WARNING -"This episode contains open and honest conversations about mental illness, substance use, and suicide. Some of these stories may be difficult to hear. Please take care of yourself and skip this one if needed."In Episode 60, host Sid Bensalah sits down with Tyler Kania, former rugby player, author of The Maniac with No Knees, and a raw, unfiltered mental health advocate. What follows is one of our most vulnerable and powerful conversations yet.Tyler opens up about his journey through undiagnosed Bipolar I Disorder, life-altering injuries, institutionalization, suicide attempts, and the road back to rugby. He shares how writing his book during a manic episode helped him process trauma, find purpose, and advocate for others living with severe mental health conditions.This episode is a deep dive into resilience, identity loss, and what it takes to survive when everything falls apart—and how rugby, community, and storytelling helped Tyler pull back.00:00 Content Warning00:01 Introduction to Tyler Kania00:59 Tyler’s Journey into Rugby01:20 Future Projects & Writing02:35 Leadership and Fly Half Role03:37 Super Bowl Thoughts04:32 Pre-Injury Dreams and Ambitions07:18 Mental Health Struggles08:49 Return to Rugby15:35 Bipolar Disorder Journey23:51 Support from Community26:54 Writing The Maniac with No Knees29:53 The Writing Process and Mania30:26 Structuring the Book31:12 Challenges and Introspection31:44 Support and Editing32:20 Understanding the Journey34:00 Mental Health Hospital Experience35:07 Outpatient Therapy36:15 Transition to Coaching37:35 Mental Health in Sports38:52 Stigma in Male Athletes40:35 Support for Players45:06 Personal Growth and Success47:57 Lightning Round54:27 Final Thoughts & Contact Info- Learn more about Tyler → https://www.tylerkania.com/🎧 Listen now on all platforms and watch the full video on YouTube and Spotify.📩 Subscribe, share, and leave a review—your support helps us keep telling stories that matter.Support the showStay Connected with Pre-Zero Sports Talk.Join host Sid Bensalah and the Pre-Zero Sports Talk community for real conversations beyond the game, where sport meets leadership, faith, performance, purpose, identity, community, and impact.Listen, watch, and follow:Spotify Video: Watch full episodesYouTube: Subscribe and join the conversationX: @PreZeroSTInstagram: @PreZeroSportsTalkLinkedIn: Connect with the CommunityTikTok: @PreZeroSportsTalkSubstack: Sid BensalahGot feedback, a topic idea, or a guest suggestion?Send your thoughts here: https://prezerosportstalk.com/contact/Support the Podcast: https://prezerosportstalk.com/donate/