In this powerful episode, stunt performer, martial artist and coach Jon Santry opens up about losing friends to suicide, the impact of addiction, hitting rock bottom, and how martial arts, therapy and self-awareness helped him rebuild himself.

Sharing some incredible insights, Jon’s words will undoubtedly resonate with anybody who has experienced mental health difficulties.

His message is simple but powerful - build boundaries, take responsibility, look after your sleep and diet, and keep adding tools to your mental well-being toolkit.

Remarkably, Jon also appears in the upcoming Eddie Hall documentary, making this episode especially timely and relevant.This is a conversation about masculinity, mental health, resilience and finding your own meaning in life.

If you’ve ever questioned your purpose, struggled in silence or wondered how to keep moving forward when life hits hard, this episode is for you.Thank you to our core sponsor, NTS for supporting Tackling it Together.

A huge thank you to Jon for your bravery, transparency and openness in sharing your journey.

You will undoubtedly inspire others.

#TacklingItTogether #MentalHealth #Masculinity #Resilience #JohnSantry #EddieHall #Podcast #LittleBlackbird #WinTheInnerFight

Introducing one of our most powerful episodes of Tackling it Together to date, “Championing Resilience”, in conversation with Paul Reed.Paul, the MD of Vortex Performance Academy, and Strength & Conditioning coach of Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett, sits down with us to talk openly about vulnerability, resilience and coping with stress.In this honest account, Paul shares reflections about reaching a point in his life where stress became unmanageable, having a hugely significant impact on both his mental and physical health.It was a life changing conversation with a Doctor that put things into perspective for Paul, as he had the realisation that stress could kill him. With insightful discussion around the importance of effective communication in his role as a coach, Paul emphasises the importance of building authentic, honest relationships that open up opportunities for meaningful communication. A huge advocate for the power of demonstrating vulnerability, Paul talks about how he is now able to be vulnerable with his team, and praises some of the toughest athletes in the world for the way in which they publicly demonstrate vulnerability themselves, reflecting on how Resilience has changed the lives of so many of the athletes he coaches.Paul reflects that nothing that changes your life is going to be easy, but that focussing on your Mental Health is going to be the best thing you can ever out effort in to.A huge thank you to our Core Sponsor, NTS for sponsoring this episode of Tackling it Together. Trigger warning – this episode includes reference to suicidal ideation.#MaleMentalHealth #VortexPerformanceAcademy #Chester #Resilience #PaddyTheBaddy #MensPodcast #Vulnerability #Stress #TacklingitTogether

Introducing the latest episode of Tackling it Together, “Challenging the stiff upper lip mentality in middle age”, in conversation with Jonathon Brown. Co-Founder of Chester based “Middle Aged Vandals”, a community boxing club that supports older men to get back to the camaraderie and sense of belonging that being part of a team or sport brings, Jonathan shares his thoughts and reflections on the challenges of the middle aged period of life with incredible honesty. Discussing the impact of the stiff upper lip mentality, stoicism and masculinity, we explore the many masks that men wear, and the many opportunities we have to block out emotions, rather than addressing them head on.From a childhood spending time in boarding school, where he constantly felt in a state of “fight or flight, to experiencing a sudden drop in self-confidence as he approached middle age, Jonathan reflects that by the time you reach your 40s or 50s, the chances are you will have experienced some form of difficulty in your life.Not confronting and dealing with those difficulties can show up elsewhere, and in Jonathan’s case, that was previously using drink and drugs as a coping mechanism.With a powerful reflection that true power comes from having a conversation with yourself; “Who am I really, and what do I really want?”, Jonathan talks openly about finding a quiet confidence that you’ll find what you need, and how simple advice to “back yourself” has been the best thing someone ever said to him, enabling him to sustain a sense of belief and determination during times of difficulty.This is a raw, open and relatable conversation. A huge thank you to Jonathan for being so transparent and speaking from the heart – we know this episode will resonate with so many of our listeners. Thank you as always to our core sponsor, Nuclear Transport Solutions!

Could introducing positive rituals, healthy routines, and getting into a sustainable rhythm support your well-being?Our latest episode of Tackling it Together, in conversation with Bryan Griffiths, is packed full of meaningful insights and reflections, with a focus on the transformational benefits of making small but consistent changes to benefit long term well-being.Bryan is an avid walker, and talks passionately about the hugely positive impact walking has on his mental health. As someone who finds working towards a goal very motivating and rewarding, Brian sets himself challenges and has completed the Welsh Coastal Path! He is currently on a mission to circumnavigate the whole of Wales! With reflections on how connecting with nature, noticing Birdsong and always finishing a walk feeling grateful, whatever the weather, Bryan provides some really relatable golden nuggets of advice for getting back to basics and exploring the great outdoors. For Bryan, creating rituals, routines, and getting into a rhythm has significantly supported him to manage anxiety, and he talks openly about the power of consistency in this respect.Bryan's Worm of Wisdom about being your own algorithm, is one of the most poignant to date - a huge thank you to Brian for his honestly, insight and brilliant reflections.

Are you a parent looking for relatable insights and reflections? Would you like to be more open and able to communicate more effectively with your children?

Introducing the latest episode of Tackling it Together, ……….., in conversation with “Just Real Dads” Podcast co-host, Ryan Gray.

We were delighted to welcome Ryan on to Tackling it Together, for an open, honest conversation that centres around the support that can be found in sharing experiences, opening up important conversations, and simply communicating feelings with others.

Just Real Dads is a fantastic Podcast, brought to you by a group of brilliant men from Chester. Their conversations are relaxed, authentic, relatable and explore parenting in the real world.

Reflecting on the positives that come with hosting a podcast with other men at a similar life stage to him, in this episode of Tackling it Together, Ryan talks openly about how Just Real Dads is almost like therapy, and discusses how it has encouraged him to become more open, and to accept help when it is needed rather than trying to persevere regardless. Exploring how his new found openness has made him a better Father, Ryan shares his views on how other people’s normal gives you a sense of perspective on your own life, and how choosing to focus on the little everyday moments of joy with your children can really shift your mindset.

As an experienced High School Teacher, Ryan talks about the importance of supporting young people in an effective way by levelling with them and opening up opportunities for meaningful communication.

A fantastic conversation that will undoubtedly resonate with parents in particular, this episode will provide some real food for thought and actionable advice.

Thank you to Ryan for your time, honesty and transparency in sharing such important and relatable thoughts!

Thank you to Nuclear Transport Solutions (NTS) for sponsoring this episode.

#MensMentalHealth #PositiveMasculinity #MasculinityPodcast #TacklingitTogether #LittleBlackbird

Looking for some positive, actionable advice amongst the festive chaos?!

Introducing our bonus episode of Tackling it Together – The 2025 Worms of Wisdom!

This episode is all about encouraging us to remember that small, positive actions can hugely affect our mindset. Packed full of great reflections from the 10 men who have sat down with us this year to talk openly about their own well-being, this episode focusses on their golden nuggets of advice that can make all the difference!

Give it a listen, there may be something that resonates with you, pushes you to reach out, make a small change, or simply a little sign to keep going.

Thank you to all our 2025 guests, Danny, Nathan, Leigh, Kev, Sean, Matt, Craig, James, Chris and Andrew.

And finally, as always a huge thank you to Nuclear Transport Solutions (NTS) for sponsoring this episode.

Introducing the latest episode of Tackling It Together, “From Trauma to Traitor – Resilience & Growth” in conversation with Andrew Jenkins, star of BBC's The Traitors.

A powerful story of working through trauma, Andrew reflects on the mental health difficulties he experienced following a serious car crash that nearly killed him. Despite suffering significant physical injuries that left him in a coma for 4 weeks, it was Andrew’s battle with his mental health that was the most difficult part of his recovery.

Andrew speaks from the heart, leaning into his feelings of vulnerability to express the enormity of the mental health difficulties he experienced, and how his son gave him the strength to keep going.

In a remarkable turn of events, Andrew went on to star in series two of The Traitors, an experience he reflects on as being an incredible part of his journey.

Andrew now uses his platform and lived experiences to deliver inspiring talks, and is passionate about promoting the power of having open and honest conversations around mental well-being.

With discussion focussing on resilience, self belief and post traumatic growth mindset, this conversation highlights the power of self reflection in making and sustaining meaningful change. Thank you to Andrew for sharing your story and reflections so honestly.

#TheTraitors #HeadInjuryRecovery #TraumaRecovery #Resilience #MaleWellBeing #PositiveMasculinity #PostTraumaticGrowth #TacklingItTogether #LittleBlackbird

📣 Introducing the latest episode of Tackling it Together, “Look after the person, look after the player” in conversation with rugby coach, Chris Rose.

As an avid rugby fan and a coach with over 20 years experience, in this episode we explore how focusing on getting to know each player personally strengthens your performance as a coach.

Demonstrating brilliant insight into supporting well-being whilst developing high performing players, Chris shares how seeing many examples of bad coaching practice over the years drives him to be the best coach he can be.

With discussion around the passion for rugby league, particularly in working class towns, Chris shares his thoughts on the how sport can impact on well-being, and how rugby league in particular has been at the forefront of raising awareness and improving mental health. Thank you to Chris for your openness and a great conversation!

Thank you to Nuclear Transport Solutions for sponsoring this episode!

#RugbyLeaguePodcast #WellBeingInSport #tacklingittogether #littleblackbird