Ryan Stevenson – The Dark Side of the Dream (Part 2)

In the second part of this powerful conversation, Alan McFadden and Chris Fahey go deeper with Ryan Stevenson into the reality of life after football – and it doesn't hold back.Ryan opens up about the devastating impact of retirement, divorce, and losing his identity all at once. He speaks with raw honesty about spiralling to a place where he was googling how to end his life, running up a hill near his village and planning a date to go through with it. It's a conversation that will stop you in your tracks – and one that could genuinely save lives.But there's hope in this story too. Ryan shares how a chance Instagram message to his now wife Sarah became the turning point he desperately needed, and how a mentor in Neil Watt helped him find a new path through property management – growing a business from one property to over 7,000.Together, the three of them make a passionate case for why more needs to be done to support players transitioning out of the game, and why the skills footballers have are massively undervalued in the business world.There are lighter moments too – including some brilliant stories about Jimmy Bullard turning up to training in fishing waders and sitting through team meetings in ways only he could get away with.An essential listen for anyone connected to football – and a reminder that behind the goals and the glory, there's a human being trying to figure out what comes next.If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or suicidal thoughts, please reach out. You can contact the Samaritans free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.This episode is proudly sponsored by:AGPayroll, owned by our very own co-host Chris Fahey, offers hassle-free payroll solutions for contractors, recruitment agencies, and employers across the UK and internationally. Whether it's umbrella, CIS, or fully outsourced payroll, they combine cutting-edge technology with a personal touch to take the stress out of payroll. Recently awarded FCSA accreditation, you know you're in safe, compliant hands.🌐 www.agpayroll.co.uk📞 0333 034 1472📧 [email protected]📸 Instagram: @agpayroll💼 LinkedIn: AGPayroll📍 Suite 225G, The Pentagon Centre, 36 Washington Street, Glasgow, G3 8AZSustainable Packaging Scotland – Scotland's fastest growing packaging distribution company. They're passionate about reducing your costs and making your packaging greener, without compromising on quality.🌐 www.sustainablepackagingscotland.co.uk📞 0141 648 7120📸 Instagram: @sustainablepackagingscotland💼 LinkedIn: Sustainable Packaging ScotlandEastwood Twelve Golf Club – A cracking 12-hole course in Newton Mearns, near Glasgow, with quirky holes, stunning scenery, and a brilliant café and bar, The 13th. They've frozen their 2025 membership fees for a limited time before switching to 2026 pricing, so get yourself along for a round before they change. You won't be disappointed.🌐 www.eastwoodtwelve.co.uk📞 07729 664555📧 [email protected]📸 Instagram: @eastwoodtwelve📍 Eastwood Estate, Mearns Road, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, G77 6RX