Beyond The Back Paddock

Beyond The Back Paddock with Wally Lewis

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Wally Lewis, a rugby league legend, discusses his love for sport, early influences, and memorable moments in his career. He reflects on the support of his family and the emotional experiences of playing for Queensland and Australia.
Wally also shares the story behind his nickname 'King' and compares the NRL and AFL.
He opens up about his battle with epilepsy and the successful surgery that changed his life.
Wally then reveals his diagnosis of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and the impact it had on his memory and career.
Wally discusses the impact of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) on his memory and daily life. He shares his experience transitioning from being a news presenter to retirement and the challenges he faced. Lewis talks about dealing with questions about his forgetfulness and the importance of relying on his diary and support from his partner. He emphasizes the need to seek help and support and shares his journey in managing sleep patterns and sleep apnea.
Wally encourages others to speak up and ask for help, and highlights the importance of consistency, routine, and proper training in contact sports. He concludes by advocating for a safer game and the need for more research and care.
 
Takeaways:
  • Sport is a privilege and a significant part of life that should be cherished.
  • Family support and teamwork are crucial for success in sports.
  • Memorable moments and achievements in a sporting career bring immense joy and pride.
  • Health challenges, such as epilepsy and CTE, can have a profound impact on an athlete's life. CTE can have a significant impact on memory and daily life.
  • Relying on a diary and support from loved ones can help manage forgetfulness.
  • Seeking help and support is crucial in dealing with CTE and related symptoms.
  • Proper sleep patterns and treatment for sleep apnea can improve overall wellbeing.
  • Promoting safety, proper technique, and head positioning in contact sports is essential to reduce the risk of CTE.
  • More research and care are needed to better understand and address CTE.
    • Chapters
    00:00 Introduction and Appreciation of Sport
    01:34 Early Sporting Influences
    03:23 Thrilling Moments in Wally's Career
    06:13 First-Grade Debut and Family Support
    07:37 Playing for Queensland and Australia
    09:17 Emotional Moments with Parents
    10:02 Becoming the 'King'
    14:02 Comparison of NRL and AFL
    16:28 Challenges in Expanding Rugby League
    16:32 Dealing with Epilepsy
    24:01 Memory Issues and Career Impact
    30:27 Unfamiliarity with CTE and Fear of the Future
    32:49 Impact of CTE on Memory
    33:49 Transition from News Presenter to Retirement
    34:16 Dealing with Questions about Forgetfulness
    35:38 Relying on Diary and Support from Others
    36:55 Importance of Seeking Help and Support
    39:00 Managing Sleep Patterns and Sleep Apnea
    40:49 Speaking Up and Asking for Help
    42:01 Importance of Consistency and Routine
    43:25 Addressing Sleep Issues and Sleep Apnea Treatment
    44:21 Taking Control of Health and Wellbeing
    46:49 Understanding the Causes of CTE
    50:19 Promoting Safety and Proper Training in Contact Sports
    52:43 Importance of Correct Technique and Head Positioning
    54:47 Accepting the Need for Recovery and Rest
    57:43 Influence of Father in Developing Rugby League Skills
    01:00:06 Learning from Past Mistakes
    01:02:42 Encouraging Proper Training and Safety Measures
    01:05:45 The Need for More Research and Care
    01:06:37 Reflecting on Personal Experience and Changes
    01:08:49 Desire for a Safer Game
    01:08:57 Closing Remarks
    ...more
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    Beyond The Back PaddockBy theunbreakablefarmer