On The Mend

By High PerformanceSociety & Culture Health & Fitness Mental Health Education Self-Improvement Personal Journals

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Typical duration
53 min
per episode
If it hooks
54%
finish an episode

Based on Podcast App listening data

On The Mend episodes

September 08, 2025 Sum 41's Deryck Whibley: Talking Sobriety After My Near Death Experience | EXCLUSIVE
Deryck Whibley joins Matt for a powerful and unfiltered conversation about addiction, recovery, and the lessons hidden in life’s hardest moments.

The singer-songwriter opens up about why he chose to write his book entirely in his own words, valuing authenticity over polish, and reflects on the role of memory, mistakes, and vulnerability in personal growth. He also shares openly about his struggles with addiction, the courage it takes to face dependency, and the idea that even injury and adversity can be unexpected gifts.

From the importance of focusing on positivity and taking responsibility for your own happiness, to embracing uncertainty and letting go of old grievances, Deryck’s journey is a reminder that recovery is not just about survival, it’s about renewal, connection, and the courage to face the unknown.

Heights 👉 Join Matt. Whatever you’re mending, Heights has you covered, 20% off all products here: https://highpfrmc.com/otm-combo-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.
54 min
September 01, 2025 Matt Willis: Fearing Failure, Self-Sabotage and Relapse
What if failure was the key to success?

In this solo episode, Matt Willis opens up about his own fear of failure, from the nerves of launching a new season to the deeper anxieties that have shaped his life. Drawing on Simon Sinek’s ideas and his own lived experience, Matt explores why fear of failure is universal, how it can hold us back, and how it can also drive us forward.

With raw honesty, he shares practical ways to reframe failure as growth and explains why embracing it is essential for creativity, resilience, and real progress.

Heights 👉 Join Matt. Whatever you’re mending, Heights has you covered, 20% off all products here:
Audio Link: https://highpfrmc.com/otm-combo-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.
18 min
August 25, 2025 What Happens When Success Becomes Your Addiction? Gary Stevenson’s Story
This week's guest is Gary Stevenson, a former top trader who knows firsthand what happens when success becomes an addiction. At the height of his career, he was winning big, but behind the scenes, his health, happiness, and humanity were breaking down.

Gary pulls back the curtain on the trading world, revealing why “money = happiness” is a dangerous lie, how high-stakes trading mirrors gambling, and the hidden addiction spreading fast among young men. He shares the mental toll of life in a relentless game where even relationships become power plays, and the deep depression that can hide behind outward success.

This is a raw, unfiltered look at the addictive side of ambition, and the personal cost of chasing wins at all costs.

Heights 👉 Join Matt. Whatever you’re mending, Heights has you covered, 20% off all products here: https://highpfrmc.com/otm-combo-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.
52 min
August 18, 2025 What Love Is Blind Taught Matt Willis About Connection and the Truth About Busted
In this raw solo episode, Matt Willis shares the untold side of his journey, from Busted fame to hitting rock bottom, and why real recovery only began when he stopped trying to do it alone.

Matt opens up about the power of vulnerability, the fear of rejection, and the moment he had to admit relapse to his wife. He explores why connection is the one thing that saved him, and why healing isn’t possible without it.

From the fear of rejection to the power of forgiveness, this is a raw and personal reflection on why we can’t do recovery alone, and how connection can change everything.

Partners:

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.
25 min
August 11, 2025 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 followed was a raw, real-time crisis that showed the power of being present and how connection, even through a radio line, can save someone’s life.

Iain opens up about how that moment led him to retrain as a counsellor, his experience living with ADHD, and what it means to sit with people in their darkest moments. With vulnerability, insight, and deep empathy, this episode is a reminder that healing starts with being heard.

Partners:
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: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 2 min
August 04, 2025 Why I Had to Stop Everything: Matt Willis on Burnout & Growth
We’re back! In this brand new season of On The Mend, Matt Willis opens up about what he’s been up to recently, alongside his struggles with overwhelm and the ongoing work of recovery. He shares what’s been helping, from hobbies to gratitude and sets the tone for a season full of raw, real conversations with guests, experts, and you.

Expect new segments, deeper honesty, and powerful stories about what it really means to move forward.

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/

Partners 🚨 Heights 👉 Join Matt in getting your energy back with Vitals. 20% off here: https://highpfrmc.com/OTM
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
29 min
October 09, 2024 Jordan Stephens on ADHD, Sobriety and Relearning Healthy Relationships
This week’s guest is the musician, actor, writer, and podcaster Jordan Stephens.
Jordan’s probably best known for Rizzle Kicks, the chart-topping duo he formed with his friend Harley Alexander-Sule, back in 2008.
He's since released music as a solo artist, starred in various TV and film projects, published a children’s book, and now he’s written a memoir: Avoidance, Drugs, Heartbreak and Dogs.
In this conversation the pair discuss education, the impact of overnight success, ADHD, medication and self-medication, as well as their shared interest in psychedelics and Jordan’s journey towards healthier relationships.
For more information on some of the subjects Jordan mentioned, there are links below (including more on Professor Nutt and that toad venom).
And Jordan WILL return to On The Mend. These two just have too much in common.
Related links:
Jordan’s website
Rizzle Kicks on Instagram
Matt’s interview with Jordan on MTV Faces
BRIT School bursaries
Alan Watts on education
Dr Gabor Maté
The Anxious Generation by Joanthan Haidt
Johann Hari’s episode of On The Mend
Professor David Nutt and drug classification
A 2002 overview of the link between football hooliganism and ecstasy
The effects of the inhalation of dried toad secretion containing 5-MeO-DMT
The ongoing study at King’s College, London
The Esther Perel quote was incorrectly attributed but she’s a fan of the person who said it, Terry Real: “Under patriarchy, you can be connected, or you can be powerful, but you can't be both at the same time because power is power over, not power with, it’s dominance. So, if you move into power, you lose connection. If you move into accommodation, you lose your power. I want to break that binary.”
Donna Lancaster & The Bridge Retreat
(01:02) Jordan’s childhood
(05:28) BRIT School and creative education
(11:48) Rizzle Kicks, Busted and dealing with overnight success
(16:36) ADHD: from voice notes to diagnoses (plural)
(20:34) ADHD: medication and self-medication
(27:40) Pattern recognition and relationships
(29:07) Sobriety and overcoming writer’s block
(30:54) Managing social media use
(35:52) Psychedelics (including dried toad secretion)
(45:43) Pressure to achieve vs connection
(47:02) Educating the next generation about relationships
(54:15) Matt’s conclusion
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
58 min
October 02, 2024 Why I Took a Break From Social Media (Live Q&A)
Matt is back with another social media special episode! Since so many of you resonated with Part 1 (episode: My Honest Thoughts On Social Media) we're bringing you a Part 2, where Matt is diving deeper into his relationship with his mobile phone.Matt spills some details on why he feels the need to take a break from social media, how he's doing it, and why others should consider it too.Plus, since so many of you had your own ideas and experiences to share, Matt sat down in the second half of this episode to answer some questions from listeners! We hope you all enjoy and would love to hear your thoughts. Do leave a comment or review!Useful links:Part 1: My Honest Thoughts On Social MediaChanel 4 documentary: Swiped: The School that Banned Smartphones(0:00) Intro(0:13) Daily gratitude (3:15) Matt is currently in a good place!(4:53) Taking a break from social media (5:12) Matt’s TikTok obsession on tour(6:43) Matt’s detox from his mobile phone(8:00) The importance of boredom (9:13) Song writing with Busted (10:16) Answering your questions about social media(27:15) Introducing the burner phone(29:15) Outro
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
30 min
September 25, 2024 Building a Mental Health Movement with Dan Murray-Serter
This week’s guest is the entrepreneur and mental health advocate Dan Murray-Serter.
Dan has ten years’ experience of building up businesses but, also, of winding them down. He’s spoken publicly about his failures, as well as his personal experience with anxiety, insomnia, depression, burnout, body dysmorphia and bulimia. And the steps Dan took towards improving his own mental and physical health, led him to a new business in nutrition and supplements.
Dan and Matt get quite deep in this conversation, which covers spirituality, mental health, ayahuasca. and much more.
Related links:
Heights Supplements
The Dao De Jing
The Power Of Now by Eckhart Tolle
The Body Keeps The Score
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Height
(01:28) The benefits and joy to be found in a regular walk
(04:43) A few of Dan’s favourite non-fiction books
(06:10) Finding fulfillment and embracing spirituality
(11:18) Dan on his upbringing and what he learned from his father
(18:44) Living in the present and getting the balance right as an entrepreneur
(20:26) Dan’s own mental health history (including insomnia)
(24:02) Dan’s life-changing visit to a dietician
(33:51) Dan’s experience with bulimia
(42:38) Assisted psychedelic therapy and ayahuasca
(56: 02) Finding your purpose (with a small p)
(01:02:28) Managing comparison and social media
(01:07:09) Matt’s outro
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 10 min
September 18, 2024 My Honest Thoughts on Social Media & Recovery
The secret is out… Matt Willis and his wife, Emma, are currently on a 3-week long social media break. They’re doing this alongside a group of year 8 students, whose experiment will be the star of an upcoming Channel 4 documentary.
But what does Matt really think of all of this?
Before the experiment, we caught up with Matt to ask his honest opinion on social media. Is it a good thing? Bad thing? What’s Matt’s personal experience with it? And how can we start to nurture a healthier relationship with social media?
Let’s see how Matt’s opinions change over the course of the experiment. Stay tuned as we find out more in 3 weeks!
We hope you enjoy the episode, and if you’d like to share your own thoughts on social, please leave a comment or review!
Useful links:
Chanel 4 documentary: Swiped: The School that Banned Smartphones
Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

(0:00) Intro
(0:44) Daily gratitude
(5:14) Matt’s weird relationship with social media
(7:03) Do I need to know what’s trending?
(8:58) Insecurities and social media
(9:42) Social media is not real life
(11:59) Engaging with followers
(12:45) Social currency
(14:21) Life is precious, so how are you using your time?
(16:17) Kids don’t want social media
(18:15) This is a real addiction we’re not taking seriously
(19:05) So what can we do about it?
(20:48) Outro
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
22 min

About On The Mend

From the publisher's feed

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,…