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 way that feels human, not clinical. He talks about why so many of us feel constantly on edge, how modern life quietly rewires our brains, and why willpower alone is rarely enough when you’re dealing with anxiety, compulsive behaviours, or emotional overload. 

Rather than offering quick fixes, TJ focuses on understanding, learning how your brain actually works, why certain patterns repeat, and how small, realistic changes can help you steady yourself again.

This conversation is grounding and reassuring, for anyone realising that real change starts with understanding, not self-blame.

Simba mattresses 👉Great recovery starts with great sleep. That’s why On The Mend is powered by Simba. Start your 200-night trial & experience the Simba difference:

https://highpfrmc.com/OTM_Simba_AU

Heights👉 Join Matt in getting your energy back with Vitals. 20% off here: https://highpfrmc.com/OTM 

Need Support?

Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org

Narcotics Anonymous: na.org

Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk

Shout: https: giveusashout.org

IAPT: england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/

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

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 needed to become someone brighter, cleaner, and easier for the public to love.

In this episode, Lulu speaks with striking honesty about learning to hide at a young age, carrying shame that was never really hers, and the confusion of trying to live up to an identity that didn’t fully fit. She also talks about alcohol, relapse, and the long road to recovery, including the relief of finally understanding addiction as an illness, not a personal failure. 

This is a conversation about recovery as connection, not perfection. About finding your tribe, telling the truth out loud, and discovering that vulnerability can be a strength, not a weakness.

Simba mattresses 👉Great recovery starts with great sleep. That’s why On The Mend is powered by Simba. Start your 200-night trial & experience the Simba difference:

https://highpfrmc.com/OTM_Simba_AU

Heights👉 Join Matt in getting your energy back with Vitals. 20% off here: https://highpfrmc.com/OTM

Need Support?

Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org

Narcotics Anonymous: na.org

Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk

Shout: https: giveusashout.org

IAPT: england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/

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

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 self-loathing, watching the distance grow between who he was and the person he became when alcohol took over.

In this episode, he pulls the curtain back. Tubes talks candidly about hating the version of himself that drank to excess, the fear of not knowing what he’d done or said, and the moment he realised he was heading towards losing his family if he didn’t stop. He opens up about relapse without excuses, the weight of shame he carried for years, and why choosing to speak honestly was the first step toward change.

This is a grounded, human conversation about addiction, mental health, and recovery, not as a straight line, but as something messy and ongoing.

Simba mattresses 👉Great recovery starts with great sleep. That’s why On The Mend is powered by Simba. Start your 200-night trial & experience the Simba difference:

https://highpfrmc.com/OTM_Simba_AU

Heights👉 Join Matt in getting your energy back with Vitals. 20% off here: https://highpfrmc.com/OTM_heights_au

Need Support?

Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org

Narcotics Anonymous: na.org

Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk

Shout: https: giveusashout.org

IAPT: england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/

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

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 cooperate. She talks about coming off antidepressants to explore psilocybin therapy and ending up in a mental health ward, the shame that can creep in when you “should” be better by now, and why mental illness doesn’t care whether you’re on holiday, winning awards, or doing everything “right.”

Ruby also opens up about letting go of old identities, including the version of herself built for attention, validation, and success, and how terrifying it was to walk away from a huge TV career to start again. She describes fame as addictive, relapse as confusing, and recovery as anything but linear. 

This isn’t a polished guru’s guide or a neat redemption arc. It’s a conversation with someone still doing the work, falling over, starting again, laughing at herself, and telling the truth about how messy it all can be. 

Simba mattresses 👉Great recovery starts with great sleep. That’s why On The Mend is powered by Simba. Start your 200-night trial & experience the Simba difference:

https://highpfrmc.com/OTM_Simba_AU

Heights👉 Join Matt in getting your energy back with Vitals. 20% off here: https://highpfrmc.com/OTM_heights_au

Need Support?

Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org

Narcotics Anonymous: na.org

Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk

Shout: https: giveusashout.org

IAPT: england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/

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

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 his relationships and pulling him further away from the person he actually wanted to be. 

In this chat, Jordan takes all the armour off. He talks honestly about the chaos drugs brought into his life, what it was like growing up mixed race and constantly shape-shifting to fit in, and the moment he realised he couldn’t keep pretending he was fine. We get into ADHD, self-medication, the ego, the shame, all of it, but always with that warmth and humour that makes the hard stuff easier to hear. 

If you’ve ever struggled with identity, spiralled after a relapse, or felt like you’re still looking for your real self, this conversation won’t tell you how to live your life. But it will make you feel less alone while you figure it out.

Simba mattresses 👉Great recovery starts with great sleep. That’s why On The Mend is powered by Simba. Start your 200-night trial & experience the Simba difference:

https://highpfrmc.com/OTM_Simba_AU

Heights👉 Join Matt in getting your energy back with Vitals. 20% off here: https://highpfrmc.com/OTM

Need Support?

Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org

Narcotics Anonymous: na.org

Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk

Shout: https: giveusashout.org

IAPT: england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/

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

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 believe there was no way out.

What makes Roxie’s story resonate is her understanding that struggle is universal. She explains that pain, addiction, and the search for meaning affect people from every background, and that recovery isn’t just about overcoming substance use, it’s about rebuilding your relationship with yourself.

A turning point came when Roxie discovered manifestation as a tool for healing, not as a superficial trend but as a practice rooted in agency, responsibility, and self-belief. She talks about shifting out of a victim mindset, aligning her actions with her values, and letting go of what no longer served her.

Roxie also highlights the role of compassion, the unconditional support of her family and partner, and the kindness she learned to extend to herself. 

With honesty and practical guidance, Roxie discusses gratitude, affirmations, and the importance of finding purpose through community and service.

Simba mattresses 👉Great recovery starts with great sleep. That’s why On The Mend is powered by Simba. Start your 200-night trial & experience the Simba difference:

https://highpfrmc.com/OTM_Simba_AU

Heights👉 Join Matt in getting your energy back with Vitals. 20% off here: https://highpfrmc.com/OTM  

Need Support?

Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org

Narcotics Anonymous: na.org

Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk

Shout: https: giveusashout.org

IAPT: england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/

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

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 confront their own challenges and pursue a different path.

In this episode, Scott talks about the battle between his public persona and his true self. Despite the parties, fame, and fast-paced lifestyle, he felt empty and disconnected, hiding behind “Scotty Special” to win approval. His story is a candid look at the pressure to fit in, the cost of losing yourself, and the deep relief that comes from reclaiming your authenticity.

Scott also dives into the importance of boundaries and finding your “why,” especially when it comes to sobriety. He explains how clarity, honesty, and a strong sense of purpose helped him stay committed, even when peer pressure and old habits pulled hard in the opposite direction.

A raw and uplifting conversation about self-worth, transformation, and the ripple effect of living truthfully.

Simba mattresses 👉Great recovery starts with great sleep. That’s why On The Mend is powered by Simba. Start your 200-night trial & experience the Simba difference:

https://highpfrmc.com/OTM_Simba_AU  

Heights👉 Join Matt in getting your energy back with Vitals. 20% off here: 

https://highpfrmc.com/OTM  

London Nootropics 👉 Enjoy 20% off London Nootropics Adaptogenic Coffees with code ONTHEMEND here: 

https://highpfrmc.com/ldn-au

Need Support?

Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org

Narcotics Anonymous: na.org

Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk

Shout: https: giveusashout.org

IAPT: england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/

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

This week’s guest is Russell Kane, the award-winning comedian and writer whose life and work span far beyond the stereotypes people often place on him. Despite growing up with expectations about who he should be and what his background meant for his future, Russell carved his own path, challenging labels, breaking cycles, and proving that your starting point doesn’t have to define your destination.

In this episode, Russell talks about the power of self-love, the damage caused by negative self-talk, and how breaking free from internal and external limits is often the first step toward real change. He also highlights the impact of small, consistent actions, showing how incremental progress, not dramatic transformation, is what truly moves us forward.

Through honest insights and thoughtful conversation, this episode offers a roadmap for anyone who’s ever felt boxed in by circumstance. 

Simba mattresses 👉Great recovery starts with great sleep. That’s why On The Mend is powered by Simba. Start your 200-night trial & experience the Simba difference:

https://highpfrmc.com/OTM_Simba_AU  

Heights👉 Join Matt in getting your energy back with Vitals. 20% off here: https://highpfrmc.com/OTM  

London Nootropics 👉 Enjoy 20% off London Nootropics Adaptogenic Coffees with code ONTHEMEND here: https://highpfrmc.com/ldn-au 

Need Support?

Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org

Narcotics Anonymous: na.org

Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk

Shout: https: giveusashout.org

IAPT: england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/

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

In this solo episode, Matt Willis opens up about his past and the years spent in active addiction. He talks candidly about the contrast between public success and private struggle, the exhausting effort of keeping up appearances while quietly falling apart behind the scenes.

Matt revisits memories that are often blurred or painful to recall, reflecting on how addiction affected his relationships, his sense of self, and his ability to truly enjoy the moments he worked so hard for. He speaks honestly about the toll of secrecy, the regrets and missed opportunities, and the moments that finally pushed him toward change.

A raw, unfiltered look at memory, addiction, and the courage it takes to face your past in order to move forward.

Simba mattresses 👉Great recovery starts with great sleep. That’s why On The Mend is powered by Simba. Start your 200-night trial & experience the Simba difference: https://highpfrmc.com/OTM_Simba_AU  

Heights👉 Join Matt in getting your energy back with Vitals. 20% off here: https://highpfrmc.com/OTM  

London Nootropics 👉 Enjoy 20% off London Nootropics Adaptogenic Coffees with code ONTHEMEND here: https://highpfrmc.com/ldn-au 

Need Support?

Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org

Narcotics Anonymous: na.org

Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk

Shout: https: giveusashout.org

IAPT: england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/

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

Comedian, writer and actress, Rosie Jones, brings her trademark honesty, humour, and heart to a conversation about difference, self-acceptance, and finding strength in vulnerability. She talks openly about what it means to feel out of place, the pressure to meet others’ expectations, and how she’s learned to stop comparing herself to anyone else’s version of success.

Rosie doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff, she discusses facing negativity, choosing where to focus her energy, and the power of surrounding yourself with people who lift you up rather than drag you down. She also reflects on the importance of representation, using her voice to challenge stereotypes and show that no matter your background or circumstance, you can still thrive.

This is an inspiring, funny, and deeply human conversation about embracing who you are, taking small steps forward, and finding joy and purpose along the way.

Check out Rosie’s tour “I Can’t Tell What She’s Saying”. Tickets here: https://rosiejonescomedy.com/

Heights👉 Join Matt in getting your energy back with Vitals. 20% off here: https://highpfrmc.com/OTM

Simba 👉Great recovery starts with great sleep. That’s why On The Mend is powered by Simba. Start your 200-night trial & experience the Simba difference: https://highpfrmc.com/OTM_Simba_AU

London Nootropics 👉 Enjoy 20% off London Nootropics Adaptogenic Coffees with code ONTHEMEND here: https://highpfrmc.com/ldn-au

Need Support?

Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org

Narcotics Anonymous: na.org

Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk

Shout: https: giveusashout.org

IAPT: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/

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