The Changing Room

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We went slightly off script with this one, we had the pleasure of Jamie Kenna, British actor and mental health advocate, join us in the studio. Jamie came from humble beginnings and unknowingly started his acting career at a very young age negotiating tough times at home, school and football by pretending things were other than what they were to those he was protecting himself and family from.

Jamie used football throughout his younger life and early adulthood to escape reality although the reality of football also bestowed him with some own goals along the way too. Now a well established and respected actor, most notably Coronation Street and House of the Dragon, Jamie laments about his love of football, his unlikely transition from semi-pro football into performing and why advocating for taking care of our mental health plays a significant part in his journey. Join us for episode 10 to hear some of Jamie's 'motivation' in being where he is today, enjoy.

Thank you for listening and supporting us. If you have any comments or would like us to consider sharing your story in this space contact us at thechangingroom.online

If you are or someone you know is struggling with mental and emotional health issues please get in touch with your GP, a registered support organisation such as MIND or The Samaritans, for gambling issues contact Gamblers Anonymous or, if you are a professional football player you can also contact The PFA on 07500 000 777 for free support and advice

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This episode welcomes Danny Haynes to The Changing Room. An Aston Villa schoolboy and apprentice who earned a 2 year pro contract, Danny talks about his struggle with anxiety from a very early age and the respite he gained from alcohol. Danny shares some dark and heartbreaking reflections of his journey as a child and young adult in professional football, which he didn't have the opportunity to come to terms with until his 30s when he finally learned how to grieve his football experience. Now a recovering alcoholic, Danny supports and works with others with addiction issues from a place of experience.

If you found this episode insightful or interesting please share with someone you feel may find it useful.

Thank you for listening and supporting us. If you have any comments or would like us to consider sharing your story in this space contact us at thechangingroom.online

If you are or someone you know is struggling with mental and emotional health issues please get in touch with your GP, a registered support organisation such as MIND or The Samaritans, for gambling issues contact Gamblers Anonymous or, if you are a professional football player you can also contact The PFA on 07500 000 777 for free support and advice

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Once pipped as Manchester United's next big thing, Tom Thorpe joined Paul and Sue to explore and reflect on his emotional journey in football. 
From a first team debut at Old Trafford, to India to taking 5 years away from football completely, an honest and vulnerable account of the not so glamorous side of pro football.

We apologise for the sound quality of this episode but the content warrants publication. 

Thank you for listening and supporting us. If you have any comments or would like us to consider sharing your story in this space contact us at thechangingroom.online

If you are or someone you know is struggling with mental and emotional health issues please get in touch with your GP, a registered support organisation such as MIND or The Samaritans, for gambling issues contact Gamblers Anonymous or, if you are a professional football player you can also contact The PFA on 07500 000 777 for free support and advice

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Joining Sue and Paul this week, as promised, is Darren Bent.
Darren drops into The Changing Room to share some of his reflections on his football journey from a more personal perspective. 
He wrestles with 'who is Darren Bent',  stepping into the real world and becoming a real person and why Sunderland will always be held fondly by him and his family.

Thank you for listening and supporting us. If you have any comments or would like us to consider sharing your story in this space contact us at thechangingroom.online

If you are or someone you know is struggling with mental and emotional health issues please get in touch with your GP, a registered support organisation such as MIND or The Samaritans, for gambling issues contact Gamblers Anonymous or, if you are a professional football player you can also contact The PFA on 07500 000 777 for free support and advice

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An impromptu episode from the pilot we ran last year.
Darren Bent and Steven Caulker joined us for a conversation when we were exploring the value of football's emotional journeys and how sharing these could provide validation and understanding for the younger athletes coming up through the pathway.

Both were instrumental in our decision to take the idea forward into the podcast we are sharing today and through their insights and honesty we hope others will gain a reassurance around their own emotional journey, within and outside of professional football.

Thank you for listening and supporting us. If you have any comments or would like us to consider sharing your story in this space contact us at thechangingroom.online

If you are or someone you know is struggling with mental and emotional health issues please get in touch with your GP, a registered support organisation such as MIND or The Samaritans, for gambling issues contact Gamblers Anonymous or, if you are a professional football player you can also contact The PFA on 07500 000 777 for free support and advice

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In celebration of the 2024 Olympics and in support of other elite athletes in their emotional journeys, this episode hears Sue and Paul speak with the impressive double Olympian Jack Green.
Jack provides a vulnerable insight into his early career, his superhero persona and a feeling of 'falling off a cliff' following the 2012 Olympic games into a diagnosis of being a risk to his own life.
A powerful episode which pays tribute to the elite athlete journey, whatever the sport and, we hope, provides listeners with an appreciation of the emotional journey athletes experience.
https://www.thechangingroom.online/

We are also proud to have had The OLLIE Foundation support this episode.
www.theolliefoundation.org

Thank you for listening and supporting us. If you have any comments or would like us to consider sharing your story in this space contact us at thechangingroom.online

If you are or someone you know is struggling with mental and emotional health issues please get in touch with your GP, a registered support organisation such as MIND or The Samaritans, for gambling issues contact Gamblers Anonymous or, if you are a professional football player you can also contact The PFA on 07500 000 777 for free support and advice

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Bruce Dyer holds a place within the history book of English football as the first one million pound teenager. Bought by Crystal Palace in 1994 as they were chasing for promotion, Bruce's future as a potential Premier League player looked to be the stuff teenage boy's dreams were made of. 
Episode 5 provides a look beyond the headlines of Bruce Dyer's early career. Sue and Paul explore the hopes and dreams of the then Eastend teenager as he reflects back on his young self and the environment he grew up in.

Thank you for listening and supporting us. If you have any comments or would like us to consider sharing your story in this space contact us at thechangingroom.online

If you are or someone you know is struggling with mental and emotional health issues please get in touch with your GP, a registered support organisation such as MIND or The Samaritans, for gambling issues contact Gamblers Anonymous or, if you are a professional football player you can also contact The PFA on 07500 000 777 for free support and advice

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In this episode, Sue and Paul welcome Ben Clark Eden into The Changing Room as he reflects on his academy journey, explores his struggle with anxiety, staying true to himself and the freedom he now feels playing in the American Collegiate system.

Ben shares valuable insights from his time at Brighton & Hove Albion's Academy and with hindsight from his onward journey. He opens up about confusing his feelings of relief after a match as enjoyment stating 'that's not how you should live, especially as a child' and he attributes the constant anxiety he lived with 'to the worry I felt over others' opinions of me.'

A must listen to all those navigating the academy system and their parents weighing up the pros and cons for their sons.

Thank you for listening and supporting us. If you have any comments or would like us to consider sharing your story in this space contact us at thechangingroom.online

If you are or someone you know is struggling with mental and emotional health issues please get in touch with your GP, a registered support organisation such as MIND or The Samaritans, for gambling issues contact Gamblers Anonymous or, if you are a professional football player you can also contact The PFA on 07500 000 777 for free support and advice

Send us Fan Mail

We are joined in the is episode by Craig Mackail Smith. Craig explores his lost identity and how he needed to rediscover who he was following retirement from the pro game.
He discusses suppressed emotion, not trusting himself and unlearning his dependance on the football structure.

If you are or someone you know is struggling with mental and emotional health issues please get in touch with your GP, a registered support organisation such as MIND or The Samaritans, for gambling issues contact Gamblers Anonymous or, if you are a professional football player you can also contact The PFA on 07500 000 777 that’s 07500 000 777 for free support and advice.

Thank you for listening and supporting us. If you have any comments or would like us to consider sharing your story in this space contact us at thechangingroom.online

If you are or someone you know is struggling with mental and emotional health issues please get in touch with your GP, a registered support organisation such as MIND or The Samaritans, for gambling issues contact Gamblers Anonymous or, if you are a professional football player you can also contact The PFA on 07500 000 777 for free support and advice

Send us Fan Mail

Thank you for listening and supporting us. If you have any comments or would like us to consider sharing your story in this space contact us at thechangingroom.online

If you are or someone you know is struggling with mental and emotional health issues please get in touch with your GP, a registered support organisation such as MIND or The Samaritans, for gambling issues contact Gamblers Anonymous or, if you are a professional football player you can also contact The PFA on 07500 000 777 for free support and advice