Celebrities have it easy…Or do they?
Our latest guest, Frank Bruno knows all about getting up after being knocked down.
From being sent to borstal; becoming World Champion Heavyweight Boxer; being avoided in public when news of his mental health issues were mocked by the newspapers; getting sectioned six times; to becoming one of the most famous faces in the country, and eventually recognised as a National Treasure; we speak to Frank on winning his huge battles both in & out the ring.
Host Wes Linden uncovers the grit & determination that we can utilise in order to chase our dreams. Frank Bruno shares straightforward mindset & resilience lessons on getting to the top, hitting rock-bottom and getting back up again - lessons that'll benefit you no matter what path you’re on, sports fan or not.
00:00 Intro
01:15 When you realised you were going to be World Champ?
01:54 What emotions you experienced?
02:07 Leaving family & going to borstal?
02:52 When did you start boxing?
03:23 Borstal a good decision?
03:45 Amateur boxing?
04:07 Was borstal tough?
04:25 “I need to sort myself out”?
04:43 Youngest ever amateur champ?
05:11 Was your success too quick?
05:37 Is instant success a problem?
06:07 You nearly never made it?
06:24 How did you get over knockbacks?
06:56 James ‘Bonecrusher’ Smith’s name!
07:54 Your mindset after defeat?
08:27 What can people learn from your attitude?
08:59 Fighting Mike Tyson.
09:34 People suffering knockbacks day to day. What can they learn from your attitude?
10:05 Fighting Tyson a 2nd time in ‘96.
10:32 Losing your eye?
10:48 How you pushed on despite anxiety?
11:31 The world is watching you?
11:55 Making a $20m comeback?
12:16 Your sacrifices?
12:53 Push through doubts?
13:26 Is failing good for you?
14:14 Daily mantra?
14:46 Harder days?
15:03 Disappointments from losing when you could've won.
15:32 Celeb career?
15:44 Side-gig distraction?
17:22 Most famous guy in the country?
18:00 Overcoming imposter syndrome?
18:28 How did you admit your mental health and bipolar conditions?
18:58 Being sectioned?
19:25 Did you have a sense of shame?
19:42 Still shame around the mental health?
20:17 Positive mindset.
20:47 How can listeners take control when they're not feeling great?
21:43 What you said to yourself when struggling with mental health?
22:02 Dreadful headlines about you and mental health.
22:24 Negatives into positives?
22:38 Public crossing the road to avoid you due to mental health?
22:52 Maintaining class amongst critics?
23:14 Phone being hacked by the media?
25:14 Break
25:27 Being one of the first celebs to talk about mental health?
26:54 Advice for people listening struggling with mental health?
27:11 Mental health medication v exercise?
27:38 Your mentors?
28:23 What advice did they give you?
28:34 Muhammad Ali a mentor?
28:54 Ali’s charisma.
29:12 Making people feel good?
31:04 Building your brand?
31:19 Getting recognised?
31:39 Losing negative people?
32:13 Haters, criticism and rejections?
34:29 Overcoming doubters in life?
35:27 Was this journey how you imagined?
35:58 Receiving MBE and awards?
36:27 Meeting celebs?
37:14 Quitting?
38:00 Toughest battles in or out of the ring?
38:46 Most proud of?
39:57 Proudest moment?
40:49 Look at me now!
41:19 Retirement?
41:35 Define success?
42:05 Frank’s Foundation.
43:20 Charity work?
43:30 Seeing people develop?
44:04 Prison?
44:39 Success and defeat?
45:03 Overcoming knocks?
45:50 Resilience?
46:12 Cheery attitude?
47:19 Close
Follow me: https://beacons.ai/theresilienceproject
Frank’s book ‘Let me be Frank’ on Amazon (UK): https://amzn.to/4d29ggU
Frank’s book ‘60 Years a Fighter’ (inc signed copies & memorabilia): https://www.frankbruno.co.uk/product-category/books/
Frank’s foundation: https://www.thefrankbrunofoundation.co.uk
Frank on social:
https://x.com/frankbrunoboxer
https://www.instagram.com/frankbrunoboxer
Wes on social:
Instagram.com/weslinden
LinkedIn.com/weslinden
Never miss an episode: weslinden.com/podcast
