World Champion Boxer Frank Bruno on how to have the winning edge: overcoming defeat, haters & mental health (Ep 003)

Celebrities have it easy…Or do they? Our latest guest, Frank Bruno knows all about getting up after being knocked down. From being sent to borstal; becoming World Champion Heavyweight Boxer; being avoided in public when news of his mental health issues were mocked by the newspapers; getting sectioned six times; to becoming one of the most famous faces in the country, and eventually recognised as a National Treasure; we speak to Frank on winning his huge battles both in & out the ring. Host Wes Linden uncovers the grit & determination that we can utilise in order to chase our dreams. Frank Bruno shares straightforward mindset & resilience lessons on getting to the top, hitting rock-bottom and getting back up again - lessons that'll benefit you no matter what path you’re on, sports fan or not. 00:00 Intro 01:15 When you realised you were going to be World Champ? 01:54 What emotions you experienced? 02:07 Leaving family & going to borstal? 02:52 When did you start boxing? 03:23 Borstal a good decision? 03:45 Amateur boxing? 04:07 Was borstal tough? 04:25 “I need to sort myself out”? 04:43 Youngest ever amateur champ? 05:11 Was your success too quick? 05:37 Is instant success a problem? 06:07 You nearly never made it? 06:24 How did you get over knockbacks? 06:56 James ‘Bonecrusher’ Smith’s name! 07:54 Your mindset after defeat? 08:27 What can people learn from your attitude? 08:59 Fighting Mike Tyson. 09:34 People suffering knockbacks day to day. What can they learn from your attitude? 10:05 Fighting Tyson a 2nd time in ‘96. 10:32 Losing your eye? 10:48 How you pushed on despite anxiety? 11:31 The world is watching you? 11:55 Making a $20m comeback? 12:16 Your sacrifices? 12:53 Push through doubts? 13:26 Is failing good for you? 14:14 Daily mantra? 14:46 Harder days? 15:03 Disappointments from losing when you could've won. 15:32 Celeb career? 15:44 Side-gig distraction? 17:22 Most famous guy in the country? 18:00 Overcoming imposter syndrome? 18:28 How did you admit your mental health and bipolar conditions? 18:58 Being sectioned? 19:25 Did you have a sense of shame? 19:42 Still shame around the mental health? 20:17 Positive mindset. 20:47 How can listeners take control when they're not feeling great? 21:43 What you said to yourself when struggling with mental health? 22:02 Dreadful headlines about you and mental health. 22:24 Negatives into positives? 22:38 Public crossing the road to avoid you due to mental health? 22:52 Maintaining class amongst critics? 23:14 Phone being hacked by the media? 25:14 Break 25:27 Being one of the first celebs to talk about mental health? 26:54 Advice for people listening struggling with mental health? 27:11 Mental health medication v exercise? 27:38 Your mentors? 28:23 What advice did they give you? 28:34 Muhammad Ali a mentor? 28:54 Ali’s charisma. 29:12 Making people feel good? 31:04 Building your brand? 31:19 Getting recognised? 31:39 Losing negative people? 32:13 Haters, criticism and rejections? 34:29 Overcoming doubters in life? 35:27 Was this journey how you imagined? 35:58 Receiving MBE and awards? 36:27 Meeting celebs? 37:14 Quitting? 38:00 Toughest battles in or out of the ring? 38:46 Most proud of? 39:57 Proudest moment? 40:49 Look at me now! 41:19 Retirement? 41:35 Define success? 42:05 Frank’s Foundation. 43:20 Charity work? 43:30 Seeing people develop? 44:04 Prison? 44:39 Success and defeat? 45:03 Overcoming knocks? 45:50 Resilience? 46:12 Cheery attitude? 47:19 Close Follow me: https://beacons.ai/theresilienceproject Frank’s book ‘Let me be Frank’ on Amazon (UK): https://amzn.to/4d29ggU Frank’s book ‘60 Years a Fighter’ (inc signed copies & memorabilia): https://www.frankbruno.co.uk/product-category/books/ Frank’s foundation: https://www.thefrankbrunofoundation.co.uk Frank on social: https://x.com/frankbrunoboxer https://www.instagram.com/frankbrunoboxer Wes on social: Instagram.com/weslinden LinkedIn.com/weslinden Never miss an episode: weslinden.com/podcast