After The Lights Go Out

On this episode of After the Lights Go Out, Steve Harmison and Leon McKenzie sit down with British athletics legend Colin Jackson for a raw, unfiltered dive into life after elite sport.

On the track, he was unstoppable, a double World Champion, unbeaten in 44 races, and a world record holder for 13 years. But what happens when the stadium noise fades and you're forced to start from zero?

Colin opens up about the terrifying void of retirement, his secret battles with body dysmorphia and panic attacks during his peak years, plus how missing out on 1992 Olympic gold ultimately saved his career. From surviving on 800 calories a day to finding new purpose through stem cell therapy, broadcasting, and charity work.

If you or someone you know is struggling please reach out and find support:

https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/

https://www.samaritans.org/

https://hubofhope.co.uk

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Join Steve Harmison and Leon McKenzie as they sit down with former Aston Villa midfielder and England international Lee Hendrie.

With over 250 Premier League appearances to his name, Lee appeared to have it all. But behind his top-flight career was a silent struggle. Today, as a respected co-commentator and pundit, Lee reflects on the devastating pain of leaving his boyhood club, facing bankruptcy, Divorce, battling epilepsy, and his attempts to take his own life.

CONTENT WARNING: This podcast includes strong language and covers topics surrounding suicide that some listeners may find upsetting.

If you or someone you know is struggling please reach out and find support:

https://www.samaritans.org/

https://hubofhope.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former professional footballer Michael Chopra opens up to Leon McKenzie and Steve Harrison about his struggles with a chronic gambling addiction, which led to him running up huge debts and coming close to taking his own life.

He also discusses his charity work with 'Football For Peace' including a trip to the Maldives as part of a counter terrorism initiative for young children.

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Former England and Warwickshire cricketer Dermot Reeve reveals to Steve Harmison and Leon McKenzie how a destructive cocaine addiction resulted in the loss of his media career, the breakdown of three marriages and living life today in supported housing on £6 a day.

He also discusses how a strong spirituality has helped him find an inner peace, meeting the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and his future wish to move to New Zealand or Australia.

Warning: This episode contains some strong language and adult themes.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us as this week we chat to former Arsenal and England women’s striker Lianne Sanderson!

We hear what it was like being the first openly gay footballer, reflect on the lack of an openly gay player in the Premier League, her work today as a football pundit, receiving vicious abuse on social media and what she perceives as a lack of respect post-retirement from the Football Association.

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Leon McKenzie and Steve Harrison are joined by England Rugby Union great James Haskell who discusses living with ADHD, overcoming a lack of self-belief and moving on from his time as a national hero to become a DJ. 

He also reflects on becoming a father and the break-up of his marriage following retirement from professional sport.

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Leon McKenzie and Steve Harmison are joined by former Premier League footballer Marcus Stewart who offers a positive assessment of living life with Motor Neurone Disease.

Marcus explains how he was diagnosed with the disease and how it has affected him both physically and mentally. He also discusses his charity work to raise awareness of MND and his hopes for a cure.

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Join Leon McKenzie and Steve Harmison for After The Lights Go Out - a podcast talking to former athletes about their transition to every day life following retirement.

In this episode Leon and Steve are joined by two-weight world boxing champion Carl Frampton.

Carl reflects on the hatred he experienced following the acrimonious breakdown of his partnership with the McGuigans, while he also reveals his belief that his long participation in the fight game will one day lead to dementia. 

He also discusses his support for mental health initiatives in his native Belfast, his first hand graphic experience of the troubles and his new career today as a boxing commentator.

If you’ve been affected by any of the issues discussed in tonight’s edition of ‘After The Lights Go Out’, you can reach out to the trained professionals at The Samaritans – they have a 24-hour helpline that you can call – it’s 116 123 – that’s the Samaritans on 116 123. Or you can visit Samaritans dot org.

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Join us for a look back at the very best of last season!

Featuring guest host Jason Cundy as we hear from Razor and wife Leah Ruddock on dealing with Mental and physical health struggles as a family.

Tom Skinner and Neil 'Razor' Ruddock are joined in The Men's Room by the extremely brave Arsenal cult hero Perry Groves who poignantly remembers how his alcohol abuse nearly led him to take his own life. We also hear from the former Aston Villa and Crystal Palace midfielder turned councillor, Paul Mortimer. Morts discussed the issue of Racism in sport and his work as a councillor for Sporting Chance.

Warning - This episode contains strong language and involves discussions surrounding mental health and suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling remember there’s always support available - visit movember.com/getsupport or call the CALM helpline on 0800 58 58 58.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.