PODCAST · health
On The Mend
by High Performance
On The Mend is the podcast where we look back at life’s hardest moments to understand how to move forward, with honesty, heart, and hope. In each episode, Matt Willis explores recovery, resilience, and mental strength through open and honest conversations. Some episodes feature guests sharing powerful stories of personal transformation. Others bring in expert voices offering practical tools and insights, and in solo episodes, Matt reflects on his own journey through addiction, identity, and healing. This is a space for anyone navigating life’s challenges. On The Mend is your companion through the highs, lows, and everything in between. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
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Jeff Brazier: Foster Care, Losing Jade & Fighting for His Son
TV presenter and grief advocate Jeff Brazier knows that grief doesn’t always look the way we expect it to. After losing Jade Goody, Jeff became a solo parent to two grieving boys while putting his own pain to one side to keep his family going. He shares what he learned about grief, parenting and...
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TOP RATED | “I’m One Beer Away from Losing Everything” | The Script’s Danny O’Donoghue
The Script's Danny O'Donoghue gets brutally honest about grief, PTSD, and what it really took to get sober. Following the devastating loss of his bandmate and best friend Mark Sheehan, Danny opens up about hitting rock bottom over a dark Christmas in Dublin and the brutal reality of quitting it…
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TOP RATED | Simon Thomas: Sudden Loss, Grief and Alcohol Addiction
Sky Sports presenter Simon Thomas delivers one of the most raw and honest accounts of grief and addiction ever shared in the public eye. Following the sudden death of his wife, Gemma, Simon faced a years-long battle with secret drinking while navigating the pressures of public life and…
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TOP RATED | How a Phone Call on Air Changed Iain Lee’s Life Forever
After decades in the spotlight as a broadcaster, comedian, and writer, Iain Lee found himself in a moment that would change and possibly save, more than one life. In this powerful episode, Iain recounts the night a caller to his late-night radio show shared that he had taken an overdose. What...
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Nikki Lilly: 97 Operations, Online Trolls & Years of Self-Hatred
Nikki Lilly has spent much of her life navigating chronic illness, hospital stays and a body that has often felt unfamiliar to her. She shares how creativity, therapy, family and connection have helped her rebuild her confidence and learn to accept herself exactly as she is. This is a…
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My Book That Got Pulled Last-Minute | Matt Willis
For Matt Willis, addiction was never the real problem. It was the solution to a pain he didn't know how to deal with. In this solo episode, Matt talks about Mending, his new memoir tracing his lifelong relationship with addiction, recovery, and the work of understanding what sits underneath it.…
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Professor David Nutt: Psychedelics, Depression & The War On Drugs
Matt Willis sits down with Professor David Nutt, one of the world's leading experts on drugs and the brain, to answer a question so many people carry in silence: why can't I just stop? David explains how addiction changes the brain, why willpower isn't always enough, and why understanding the...
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The Moment Window Kid Broke Down Over Losing Himself To Alcohol
Musician and internet personality Window Kid, aka Greg, built a career around being the life of the party, until drinking nearly cost him his life. After being hospitalised with severe pancreatitis, Greg was faced with a reality he couldn't ignore: if he carried on drinking, he could die. But...
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“I Know I’m Going to Die of Dementia” | Jordan Adams
Mental health and dementia advocate Jordan Adams grew up watching Frontotemporal Dementia slowly take his mum away. Years later, a genetic test revealed that he carries the same mutation. Jordan shares the unique grief of losing someone while they're still here, and what it means to live knowing…
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"I Hated Myself for What I'd Done" | Ben West, on Losing His Brother
Mental health campaigner Ben West was 17 when his younger brother Sam took his own life. In a single night, everything changed. Ben shares the guilt he carried afterwards, the conversations he wishes he'd known how to have, and how he eventually began to understand that he wasn't responsible for...
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The Race Across The World That Helped Alfie Watts Process His Grief
Race Across the World star Alfie Watts knows how much can change in a day. At 16, during the lowest point of his life, he made a decision to stay for “one more day”, then another. Years later, Alfie looks back at that version of himself as someone he barely recognises. From losing his mum and...
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The Constant Chaos That Made Me Keep Drinking: Preston from Ordinary Boys
Musician and songwriter Preston sits down with Matt to explore fame, addiction, and the long road back to himself. Preston shares how a four-storey fall from a hotel balcony in Denmark led to months in a wheelchair, an OxyContin prescription, and a private battle with addiction. He also reflects…
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How James Haskell Survived Injury, Divorce and Grief & Came Out Stronger
Former England rugby star James Haskell explores life with unmedicated ADHD, the pressure of rugby's “tough guy” culture, and finding a sense of identity beyond the sport. James shares what it was like to navigate elite rugby without ADHD medication, the self-doubt behind his confident public...
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The Moment Michelle Heaton Became Dependent On Alcohol
Singer and TV presenter Michelle Heaton's story is about more than addiction. It's about identity, loss, and finding your way back to yourself. In this episode, Michelle shares how a BRCA2 diagnosis, surgical menopause, and addiction became deeply intertwined, and how recovery helped her…
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15 Questions About Addiction I’m Finally Answering | Matt Willis
In this solo episode, Matt Willis answers some of the internet’s most searched questions about addiction, relapse, and recovery, sharing the lessons he’s learned from his own journey. Matt explores why substances can feel like a solution before becoming something we need help escaping, why...
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Drunk, Selling Drugs & Becoming My Father’s Son | Josh Connolly
One of the UK's leading mental health advocates, Josh Connolly, joins us for a deeply honest conversation about childhood trauma, addiction, and what it really takes to break generational cycles. Josh reflects on growing up with a father battling severe alcoholism, witnessing his death at just…
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Sam Thompson: Blame, Masking and Never Feeling Enough
TV presenter Sam Thompson opens up about his late-stage ADHD diagnosis and the profound relief of finally finding a reason, not an excuse, for a lifetime of struggling. Sam shares the emotional reckoning of his diagnosis, recalling the moment he wept uncontrollably as the weight of self-blame,...
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Divorce, Breakdown & The Crash That Nearly Killed Me | Michail Antonio
Premier League footballer Michail Antonio gets honest about the hidden cost of elite success, identity, and what it really means to rebuild. In this episode, Michail reflects on the reality of winning a historic trophy with West Ham, only to spend months struggling with depression and feeling...
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Alcohol Addiction, Blackouts and Hangover Anxiety | Sobriety Movement Campaigner Millie Gooch
Sober Girl Society founder Millie Gooch challenges everything we think we know about dependency in a conversation that dismantles the “rock bottom” myth. Despite a successful career and social life, alcohol was quietly affecting her mental health and relationships, leading her to realise she...
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The Moment Dr. Tara Knew Her Marriage Was Over
Sexologist and TV expert Dr. Tara Suwinyattichaiporn (Celebs Go Dating, 90 Day Fiancé) joins us to break the heavy silence and shame surrounding sex, intimacy, and recovery. In a particularly raw moment, Matt admits he’s never spoken openly about sex with another man, highlighting the exact…
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The Moment Will Young Stopped Recognising His Own Face
Singer-songwriter and actor Will Young speaks with disarming honesty about surviving decades of trauma, hypervigilance, and the long shadow of shame. Following a breakdown during Cabaret, Will opens up about spending over ten years in a state of severe dissociation, describing it as living behind...
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The Secret Addiction That Controlled Ore Oduba’s Life
TV presenter and broadcaster Ore Oduba joins us for an incredibly raw and unflinchingly honest conversation on pornography addiction, toxic masculinity, and grief. Ore opens up about being introduced to explicit material at just nine years old and the devastating "duality" of spending 30 years...
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The Night John Robins Knew He Had to Quit Drinking
Award-winning comedian and broadcaster John Robins tackles the fundamental question: are alcoholics born or made? In this episode, John opens up about his 20-year struggle with chronic alcohol use, the childhood signs that hid in plain sight, and why every "moderation spreadsheet" failed until he...
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Author Matt Haig Confesses His Darkest Moments
Matt Willis sits down with the celebrated, bestselling author Matt Haig for a deeply personal conversation on the cost of living without a map. From a life-altering breakdown at 24 to navigating a late-in-life diagnosis of Autism and ADHD, Matt explores how a lack of understanding of his own…
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The Moment I Knew My Mind Was Working Against Me | Matt Willis & Marisa Peer
Matt sits down with world-renowned therapist Marisa Peer to dismantle the self-sabotaging loops that keep us stuck. If you’ve ever felt like your brain is working against your recovery, this conversation provides the ultimate manual for reclaiming control. We explore the "Ladder of Looping...
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When Was Your Hardest Time? Honest Q&A On Mental Health, Therapy, Grief & Recovery
In honour of Mental Health Awareness Week, this special compilation episode curates life-changing insights from people who have faced addiction, grief, anxiety, and personal struggle firsthand. Featuring conversations with Tony Adams, Roy Stride, John Robins, Matt Haig, Marisa Peer, Simon Thomas,...
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Things Men Don't Say Out Loud | Matt Willis, Spencer Matthews & Jake Humphrey
This special roundtable episode explores the vital role of mental fitness in reaching and sustaining peak performance. In this special roundtable episode, in partnership with BetterHelp, hosts Jake Humphrey, Spencer Matthews, and Matt Willis reframe therapy as an essential "performance tool." By...
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“I Could Have Died So Many Times” Scouting For Girls' Roy Stride On his Alcohol Addiction
Scouting for Girls frontman Roy Stride achieved global fame and number-one albums, but behind the scenes, he was wearing a mask. For 25 years, he used alcohol to bridge the gap between his public persona and a deep-seated feeling of never being "enough," eventually spiraling into a…
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The Moment Lulu Finally Acknowledged She Had A Drinking Problem
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Winning Titles with Arsenal While Fighting Addiction | Tony Adams Story
Arsenal legend and former England captain Tony Adams joins us to reflect on 30 years of sobriety, and the moment he realised that despite having everything, he didn’t know who he was. He opens up about the reality behind the legendary football career, the blackouts, the hidden struggles, and the...
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The Breaking Point That Made Me Face The Truth | Vicky Pattison
TV personality, author and radio presenter, Vicky Pattison, discusses her journey through self-care, addiction, and healing from the trauma of being a child of an alcoholic. She opens up about how her mantra “you can’t pour from an empty cup” became crucial for managing anxiety, and the pain of...
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I Swapped My Addiction from Alcohol to Golf | Tubes Shares Recovery Story Going Sober
A special golfing and sobriety chat this week brings us into the life of Peter “Tubes” Dale, who turned to golf as a way to keep up socialisation with his friends after making the brave decision to give up alcohol and stop drinking. In this episode, he opens up about the moment when he decided to...
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I Knew Drinking Would Ruin Me… I Did It Anyway
TV personality and endurance athlete Spencer Matthews joins Matt Willis to talk openly about how alcohol quietly took over his life, from waking up drunk and lying to the people closest to him, to feeling isolated, ashamed, and completely disconnected from the person he wanted to be. He shares…
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Why Narcissists Can’t Handle Criticism | Narcissism Expert Explains
This week’s guest is Kathleen Saxton, who dives deep into the complexities of narcissism, family dynamics, and the painful journey of healing from childhood wounds. Kathleen breaks down the three types of narcissists, ‘grandiose’, ‘covert’, and ‘malignant’, offering an eye-opening framework,...
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How One Devastating Moment Changed Professor Green’s Life Forever
This week’s guest is Professor Green, who opens up about his journey of self-discovery, healing, and growth, and the ongoing process of learning from past mistakes. Professor Green shares his struggles with shame and addiction, discussing how he broke free from the cycle of destructive behavior…
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Matt Willis Q&A: Addiction, Getting Sober And Facing Your Emotions
Have you ever realised that the biggest obstacle to your growth might be you? In this solo episode, Matt Willis answers your questions and shares powerful moments from his personal journey through addiction, recovery, and the ongoing work of self-awareness. Matt talks about the emotional...
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How Addiction Destroyed My Family | Arron Crascall
This week’s guest is Arron Crascall, who shares his raw journey from struggling with addiction and low self-esteem to finding hope and transformation through surrender and honesty. Arron talks about how he never felt comfortable in his own skin, always changing to fit in, and how his first drink…
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Strictly's Amy Dowden: Recovering from Cancer, Sepsis and a Double Mastectomy
This week’s guest is Amy Dowden, who shares her powerful journey through breast cancer, fertility struggles, and mental health challenges, a story of resilience that’s messy, ongoing, and real. Amy talks about returning to Strictly Come Dancing just months after chemotherapy, only to realise she...
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Davinia Taylor: Recovering from Addiction, Loss & Self-Doubt
This week’s guest is Davinia Taylor, who challenges the traditional narrative of addiction and opens up about her journey from shame and self-doubt to embracing recovery on her own terms. In this episode, Davinia talks candidly about her realisation that addiction isn’t always tied to trauma, and...
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Sam Ryder: Recovering from Addiction, Hustle Culture and Self-Doubt
This week’s guest is Sam Ryder, someone who knows the struggle of chasing a dream for years, only to face the crushing reality of near-misses and setbacks. For over 15 years, Sam toured the world in tiny vans, scraping by with borrowed hope, never knowing if success would come. But when the door...
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Matt Willis: I Got Married Three Days After Rehab
Recovery isn’t a straight line, and Matt Willis reflects openly on what that reality has meant for him. In this solo episode, Matt speaks candidly about addiction, recovery, and the long process of learning to live differently. He explores the moments that forced him to confront himself, the...
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I FINALLY QUIT NICOTINE… Can I Keep It Up?
This isn’t just a conversation, it’s a live experiment. TJ Power challenges Matt Willis in real time to face the invisible addictions quietly draining his energy and to decide, on camera, what he’s willing to let go of to feel fully alive again. From nicotine and endless scrolling to constant...
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From Royal Marine to Rock Bottom: The Battle No One Sees | Jason Fox
When the structure that’s held your life together disappears, what are you left with? In this episode, Jason Fox talks about the moment everything collapsed after leaving the military, not gradually, but instantly. Twenty years of purpose, belonging, and identity ended overnight, and the relief…
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What Actually BREAKS Addiction: TJ Power Explains the Science
This week’s guest is Tj Power, lead neuroscientist and founder of the DOSE Lab, who helps us understand what’s really happening in our brains when we feel overwhelmed, burnt out, glued to our phones, or stuck in patterns we can’t quite explain. In this episode, TJ breaks down mental health in a…
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It Took Me 60 Years to Admit This | Lulu
This week’s guest is Lulu Kennedy-Cairns, a woman who has spent a lifetime living between two selves, and learning what it costs to keep parts of yourself hidden. Known to the world as Lulu, she grew up as “Marie”, a child shaped by chaos at home, silence, and shame, long before she was told she...
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How Alcohol Took Over My Life | Tubes
This week’s guest is Peter “Tubes” Dale, someone who knows how quickly things can unravel when drinking, shame, and identity start feeding off each other. Known publicly as the funny one, the lad who could always carry it, Tubes was privately stuck in a cycle of blackouts, panic, and…
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The Truth About Ruby Wax’s Mental Health Crash
Ruby Wax has spent decades making people laugh, but this conversation is about what happens when the jokes stop working. In this episode, Ruby speaks with rare honesty about living with depression, relapse, and the exhausting work of trying to hold yourself together when your mind won’t…
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I Looked High-Functioning - I Was Falling Apart | Jordan Stephens
This week on On The Mend, I’m sitting down with Jordan Stephens, someone who knows exactly how quickly life can unravel when addiction, shame, identity, and survival all get mixed together. From the outside, things looked great. Behind the scenes, Jordan was stuck in cycles that were blowing up…
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The Trigger Behind Roxie Nafousi’s Manifestation Journey
Roxie Nafousi joins Matt for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about addiction, healing, and the long journey toward self-worth. She speaks candidly about how her search for confidence and belonging led her into a cycle of shame, isolation, and rock-bottom moments, and how she came to...
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The Night Scott Thomas Knew He Had to Change
This week’s guest is Scott Thomas, whose journey to sobriety has become a powerful example of how one person’s change can transform the lives of many. By being open about his struggles and creating a safe space for honest conversations, Scott has inspired friends, family, and even strangers, to...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
On The Mend is the podcast where we look back at life’s hardest moments to understand how to move forward, with honesty, heart, and hope. In each episode, Matt Willis explores recovery, resilience, and mental strength through open and honest conversations.
Some episodes feature guests sharing powerful stories of personal transformation. Others bring in expert voices offering practical tools and insights, and in solo episodes, Matt reflects on his own journey through addiction, identity, and healing.
This is a space for anyone navigating life’s challenges. On The Mend is your companion through the highs, lows, and everything in between.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
HOSTED BY
High Performance
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does On The Mend have?
On The Mend currently has 95 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is On The Mend about?
On The Mend is the podcast where we look back at life’s hardest moments to understand how to move forward, with honesty, heart, and hope. In each episode, Matt Willis explores recovery, resilience, and mental strength through open and honest conversations. Some episodes feature guests sharing...
How often does On The Mend release new episodes?
On The Mend has 95 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to On The Mend?
You can listen to On The Mend on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts On The Mend?
On The Mend is created and hosted by High Performance.
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