Masculinity, Mental Health & Sport: Breaking the Silence (with Professor Eric Anderson)

In this powerful conversation, Dr James Alder sits down with Professor Eric Anderson, a leading scholar of masculinity in sport, to ask a simple question with complex answers: what happens when silence hurts more than speaking up? Together they trace the cultural shift from old models of toughness to more inclusive, emotionally honest forms of masculinity. They explore bromance and male friendship, stigma on and off the pitch, how coaching cultures can help or harm, and why movement and community are vital for men’s mental health. Expect straight talk, evidence, and takeaways for athletes, coaches, veterans, and anyone who cares about men’s wellbeing.You will learn:• How inclusive masculinities challenge the “be strong, say nothing” script• What bromance looks like in real teams and why it matters• Practical ways coaches can build emotionally safe environments• When to choose training, talking, or both for mental health supportIf you or someone you know is struggling, reach out to a teammate, coach, friend, or a qualified professional.Subscribe and leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and follow “Trauma, Training and Transformation” on Substack: @traumatrainingtransformation and social platforms.buymeacoffee.com/JamesAlder003