⚠️ Content Warning: This episode includes discussions of mental illness, addiction, trauma, and suicide. Listener discretion is advised.

In this raw and revealing conversation, former NRL star Dan Hunt opens up about his journey from playing 150+ professional rugby league games to founding a national mental health movement that has trained over 500,000 Australians face-to-face.

Growing up in a household marked by domestic violence, Dan found safety, identity, and purpose in rugby league. As his professional career flourished, he maintained the persona of the ”happy-go-lucky” teammate while secretly battling inner demons. It wasn't until a devastating Achilles injury in 2010 that his carefully constructed façade began to crumble, leading to self-medication with painkillers, alcohol, and illicit drugs.

Dan shares the pivotal moments that ultimately led to his diagnosis with type 2 bipolar disorder—from his mother's painful observation that he was ”becoming his father” to a life-changing conversation with legendary coach Wayne Bennett. Rather than seeing his diagnosis as a setback, Dan describes it as ”the books going back on the shelf in chronological order,” finally making sense of his thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.

The conversation dives deep into the often-misunderstood distinction between mental health and mental illness, exploring how organisations can move beyond token awareness initiatives to create genuinely supportive environments. Dan's Mental Health Workplace Blueprint offers a framework for identifying psychosocial hazards, implementing real solutions, and treating the causes rather than just the symptoms of mental health challenges.

Most powerfully, Dan reveals his daily practices for mental fitness—ice baths, gratitude, exercise, connection, and regular ”check-ups from the neck up” with his psychologist—while emphasising that everyone's journey is unique. For those currently struggling, he offers a heartfelt reminder: ”Your struggles do matter… You may not see any light at the end of the tunnel at the moment, but it will pass.”

Whether you're managing a mental illness, supporting someone who is, or simply interested in optimising your own mental fitness, this episode offers practical wisdom from someone who's been through the darkness and emerged to help others find their way.

💡 Topics Covered:

• Mental health in elite sport and high-performance environments
• The impact of injury, trauma, and undiagnosed illness
• Transitioning from professional sport to a purpose-driven life
• The difference between mental health and mental illness
• Building mental fitness as part of your daily routine
• Practical strategies for supporting yourself and others

📌 Disclaimer: The information in this episode is for general discussion and storytelling purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re struggling, please seek help from a qualified healthcare professional.

🛟 Support Services (Australia):

• Lifeline – 13 11 14 | lifeline.org.au
• Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 | beyondblue.org.au
• Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467 |

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