Most men spend their lives in their heads: overthinking, overanalysing, and second-guessing. But true leadership, confidence, and resilience don’t start in the mind, they start in the body.

In this episode, I sit down with Mark Walsh, one of the world’s leading embodiment coaches, to explore why so many men feel disconnected from their power and how reconnecting with the body can transform how they lead, train, and show up in the world.

This isn’t just theory. Mark has worked with elite professionals, trauma survivors, corporate leaders, and athletes worldwide, helping them develop embodied leadership and resilience. His insights are practical, powerful, and cut straight to the point.

Show Notes

Why Men Need to Get Out of Their Heads

• Why most men live in their heads and the impact on confidence and leadership
• The difference between thinking about change and embodying it
• How weightlifting, martial arts, and movement help men reconnect with presence

The Role of Physical Practices in Mental Resilience

• How gym training can be a sacred practice for focus and discipline
• Why men need challenge, struggle, and physical adversity to grow
• The connection between breath, posture, and emotional state

Breaking Free from Overthinking and Insecurity

• The science of embodiment - how your body shapes your mindset
• Why men struggle with boundaries, people-pleasing, and saying no
• Practical techniques to build presence and confidence in daily life

The Bigger Picture: Why Society is Failing Men

• How modern culture is weakening masculinity and what men can do about it
• The importance of mentorship, challenge, and a strong peer group
• Mark’s personal journey, from addiction and nihilism to leadership and resilience

This episode isn’t just about leadership—it’s about self-awareness, emotional mastery, and the deeper work men need to do to lead with confidence and integrity.

In this conversation, I sit down with Rod Boothroyd, who has spent over two decades working with men, helping them uncover what’s holding them back and step into their full leadership potential.

We dive deep into the reasons why so many men struggle with leadership—whether in their careers, relationships, or personal lives.

Rod shares his insights from psychotherapy, shadow work, and men’s development, unpacking why modern leadership feels so disconnected, hesitant, or misdirected—and what men can do to reclaim their inner power.

Show Notes

The Root of Leadership Struggles

• Why so many men feel lost when it comes to leadership
• The role of absent fathers and childhood wounds in shaping a man’s confidence
• How modern society has disconnected men from true leadership

Reclaiming the King Energy

• The four archetypes—King, Warrior, Magician, Lover—and why men struggle to embody them
• The difference between real power and control
• How a man’s ability to process emotions directly impacts his leadership

The Hidden Cost of Unprocessed Grief

• Why so many men struggle to feel joy and fulfillment
• How suppressed grief and loss block leadership potential
• The essential role of emotional intelligence in strong leadership

Practical Steps to Step Into Leadership

• How to develop self-leadership and move from hesitation to confidence
• The power of mentorship—why every man needs a guide
• The impact of men’s groups, accountability, and long-term personal growth

Matty Peet is back. After a phenomenal few years leading Wigan Rugby League to unprecedented success, I sit down with him to reflect on the highs, the challenges, and what it really takes to lead at the highest level.

From winning every available trophy to managing the relentless demands of elite coaching, Matty shares the lessons he’s learned—not just about rugby, but about leadership, resilience, and personal growth. He opens up about the pressures of expectation, the importance of connection, and why he believes every coach needs a coach.

This episode isn’t just about sport. It’s about leadership, self-awareness, and the mindset required to sustain success.

Show Notes

Reflections on Leadership & Growth

• What’s changed for Matty over the past three years as Wigan’s head coach
• The doubts and criticism he faced when he first took the job—and how he silenced them
• The biggest lessons in resilience and leadership from elite sport.

The Power of Connection

• Why connection is the foundation of Wigan’s success
• The impact of fostering a deep bond with players beyond just performance
• How Matty balances the demands of coaching with being present for his family.

Coaching & Personal Growth

• How self-awareness has transformed Matty as a leader
• The importance of having mentors and coaches at every level of leadership
• Why vulnerability in leadership isn’t a weakness, it’s a superpower.

Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter for Wigan

• How Wigan is preparing for the next season with the same squad
• The importance of evolution vs. revolution in sustaining success
• Matty’s focus on innovation, creativity, and maintaining a high-performance culture.

Lessons for Leaders Everywhere

• Why every leader, whether in sport or business, needs a support system
• The importance of adaptability, emotional intelligence, and leading by example
• The role of personal development in becoming a better coach, father, and man.

In this episode, I sit down with Cody Royle, a coach to elite head coaches in professional sports and author of three impactful books, including the Amazon bestseller The Tough Stuff.

Cody shares his journey from coaching Australia’s national Aussie Rules team to mentoring some of the top leaders in soccer, basketball, rugby, and beyond. Together, they explore the emotional toll of leadership, the power of self-awareness, and the profound impact of integrating personal growth into coaching.

Show Notes

Cody’s Journey:

• From playing Aussie Rules football to becoming a coach at 22
• Transitioning from coaching Canada’s national team to writing The Tough Stuff
• The pivotal moments that led Cody to focus on supporting head coaches.

The Challenges of Head Coaching

• The increasing complexity of managing multi-billion-dollar sports organisations
• Balancing personal growth with professional demands
• Common struggles faced by head coaches, including pressure, identity, and maintaining perspective.

The Role of Personal Growth:

• Why self-awareness is at the core of effective coaching
• Cody’s approach to coaching head coaches: attunement, presence, and refining existing strengths
• The importance of integrating family life and personal practices into professional pursuits.

Key Themes and Insights:

• The emotional toll of leadership and how to navigate it
• Bridging the gap between elite performance and personal well-being
• How Cody’s work is helping to shape a new generation of self-aware, emotionally intelligent coaches.

I sit down with Martin Offiah, rugby league legend and cultural icon, to explore his journey from a young boy in Hackney to becoming one of the greatest try-scorers in the history of the sport.

In this deeply personal conversation, Martin reflects on the mentors who shaped his career, the challenges of breaking barriers, and the lessons he’s learned about resilience and self-belief. From his rugby triumphs to his advocacy for sustainability and electric vehicles, Martin shares his powerful story of transformation and greatness.

This is an episode for anyone who wants to learn how to turn adversity into fuel for success.

Show Notes

Martin’s Journey

• Growing up in Hackney and discovering rugby as an outlet for his energy and ambition
• The transition from rugby union to rugby league and becoming one of the sport’s most iconic players
• Reflections on the pivotal moments, including his legendary try at Wembley.

Themes of Greatness

• The coaches and mentors who believed in him and taught him the value of star power
• How Martin learned to embrace his achievements without fear of judgment.

Challenges and Resilience

• Overcoming racism and other challenges as a Black athlete in a predominantly white sport
• Lessons learned from tough times on and off the pitch.

Life Beyond Rugby

• Martin’s passion for sustainability and his work in promoting electric vehicles
• Reflections on being immortalised in a statue outside Wembley and what it means to inspire the next generation.

Insights and Advice

• How mentors, teammates, and family shaped his journey
• Lessons from rugby and life on staying authentic and resilient.

In the season finale of Dare to Be Different, I look back at the best moments from 2024 - a collection of powerful stories, raw truths, and deep transformations from the men who joined me this year.

Matty Peet
Matty shares his experience leading Wigan Warriors, redefining leadership, and balancing the demands of professional coaching with authenticity and self-awareness.

Andrew Jenkins
Andrew reflects on completing The Big Trek—1,200km across four nations—raising awareness for brain injury while sharing his powerful story of recovery, grit, and determination.

Martin Bone
Martin takes us through his personal journey of loss and healing, exploring how breathwork and movement helped him reconnect with purpose and clarity.

Rhys Thomas
Rhys shares his life-altering experience of a heart attack at 29, reflecting on how it transformed his outlook on health, life, and leadership.

Stevie Ward
Stevie talks openly about transitioning out of professional rugby due to injury, grappling with identity, and finding meaning beyond the sport.

Antonio Vizintin
Antonio shares the extraordinary story of surviving the 1972 Andes plane crash—facing unthinkable decisions and how that shaped his perspective on life, survival, and resilience.

Sean Long
Sean opens up about his struggles with mental health, addiction, and rebuilding his life, offering a raw, honest account of transformation.

Piers Cross
Piers explores how childhood trauma—particularly boarding school experiences—impacts leaders’ ability to connect, empathise, and lead authentically.

Keith Witt
Keith dives deep into relationships, emotional intelligence, and the importance of cultivating awareness to unlock our potential.

Robert Masters
Robert discusses the power of shadow work, emotional intimacy, and embracing all parts of ourselves to achieve true transformation.

Liam Hennessy
Liam shares wisdom on balance, physical health, and longevity, reminding us that sustainable leadership begins with our own well-being.

Chris Brown
Chris reflects on his journey with mental health and resilience, unpacking the tools that helped him face personal and professional challenges.

Pat Divilly
Pat talks about emotional vulnerability, self-connection, and his journey to help men create deeper, more meaningful lives.

Traver Boehm
Traver dives into the importance of brotherhood, the power of connection, and why men need other men to thrive in today’s world.

In this episode of Dare to Be Different, I sit down with Piers Cross - author, filmmaker, and leadership coach specialising in trauma and peak performance.

Together, we explore a question that cuts to the heart of leadership today: Are our leaders carrying unresolved trauma, and how does it impact their ability to lead?

Piers shares powerful insights into the emotional wounds many leaders carry, particularly those shaped by environments like boarding schools. This conversation dives deep into how unhealed trauma manifests in leadership, from disconnection to unhealthy power dynamics, and offers tools for cultivating authentic leadership through self-awareness and healing.

This isn’t just a discussion about leaders in boardrooms, it’s about all of us stepping into leadership roles in our own lives, workplaces, and families.

The Hidden Trauma of Leaders

• How childhood experiences, especially in boarding schools, create emotional patterns that carry into adulthood.
• Why unresolved trauma leads to disconnection, poor decision-making, and struggles with vulnerability.

The Importance of Vulnerability

• Redefining vulnerability as strength in leadership and how it fosters deeper connection and trust.
• Piers explains how leaders can embrace vulnerability to improve relationships at work and home.

Breaking the Cycle of Trauma

• Understanding the link between trauma, self-awareness, and authentic leadership.
• Piers shares practices to help leaders identify and heal emotional wounds that hinder their potential.

The Role of Self-Reflection

• How leaders can pause, reflect, and move beyond their past to redefine their purpose and impact.
• Tools for developing emotional intelligence and creating a leadership style rooted in authenticity.

Practical Advice for Evolving as a Leader

• Strategies for building emotional resilience and fostering meaningful connections.
• Why joining men’s circles, seeking therapy, or engaging in reflective practices can lead to profound growth.

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In this episode, I sit down with Traver Boehm, author, speaker, and founder of the Man Uncivilized movement. Traver’s work has been a beacon for men seeking to reclaim their authentic selves in a world that often stifles true masculinity.

Together, we explore why men need men—why male connection and community are essential not just for personal growth but for creating a life of purpose, power, and connection. From redefining vulnerability to tackling shame and isolation head-on, this episode is a raw, honest, and impactful conversation for anyone ready to step into their full potential.

Show Notes

The Importance of Male Connection

• Traver explains why men thrive in environments of brotherhood and shared purpose.
• The risks of isolation in modern life and how it impacts mental, emotional, and relational health.

Redefining Vulnerability

• Vulnerability is reframed as strength, not weakness, and a gateway to deeper relationships and personal growth.
• Traver shares stories of men who found transformation by embracing openness and honesty with others.

Understanding and Healing Shame

• A deep dive into the role shame plays in holding men back from their true power.
• Practical steps for identifying and overcoming shame through shared experiences and self-compassion.

The Role of Pain in Transformation

• Why pain is often the catalyst for growth and how to use it as a tool for self-discovery.
• Traver shares his personal journey of loss and how it propelled him to create the Man Uncivilized movement.

Men and Emotional Freedom

• Why men struggle with expressing emotions and the consequences of emotional repression.
• Tools and practices Traver uses to help men unlock emotional freedom and live more balanced lives.

The Power of Brotherhood

• Real-life examples of how a strong male community can provide accountability, growth, and support.
• Traver discusses why men need other men to challenge them, hold space, and celebrate their wins.

Practical Steps for Men Ready to Transform

• How to build meaningful connections with other men.
• Simple practices to integrate emotional awareness and authentic leadership into daily life.

Subscribe to the Dare to Be Different podcast on your favorite platform for more transformative conversations. If this episode resonates with you, don’t forget to leave a review.