Former NRL star Sam Thaiday reveals mental health battles in new podcast

CONTENT WARNING: This post mentions mental ill-health and suicide and may be triggering for some readers.

If you need urgent help, please contact:
Lifeline 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
MensLine Australia 1300 789 978 www.mensline.org.au
Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 www.beyondblue.org.au

Jay Walkerden’s Podshape has today launched another title, this time fronted by former Brisbane Broncos captain Sam Thaiday.

We Are Human will explore Thaiday’s struggles now that his professional NRL career is over, his loss and confusion, and what he does when he’s not feeling good enough.

Throughout the podcast, he will also be joined by other sports stars.

He said he was motivated to do the podcast so he could put a human face, or “element”, to sporting superstars.

“I hope by telling my story that it might help other people feel ok to share their story and seek help. Mental health is not just a fad that’s cool to talk about, it’s real and it affects everyone differently,” he said.

The first four episodes chart Thaiday’s childhood – growing up in far north Queensland in a multi-race family, his struggles with his own identity, and thoughts about what would happen if he was no longer here.

“People saw me as ‘big, loveable Sam, don’t worry, he’ll be ok’, but inside I was massively falling apart,” he added.

Walkerden is NOVA’s former head of podcasting, and he has already revealed multiple new podcast titles this week.

If you need urgent help, please contact:
Lifeline 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
MensLine Australia 1300 789 978 www.mensline.org.au
Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 www.beyondblue.org.au