Premiere League to Rock Bottom to Mentoring with Matthew Briggs

Jayda sits down with former professional footballer Matthew Briggs, famously known as the youngest ever Premier League player. Matthew reveals both the extraordinary highs and crushing lows of his career, including injuries, struggles with alcoholism, and mental health battles. He shares his journey from early success to hitting rock bottom, attempting suicide and finding himself working on a construction site. To how he lifted himself out of these depths, how he had the strength to ask for support, reconnect with the simple joy of playing and he found his way back to his sense of self through mentorship and mental health advocacy. Matthew offers an unfiltered look into the world of elite sports, the pressures athletes face, and the importance of mental resilience. Listen to his story of rebuilding his identity, finding new passions, and helping the next generation of footballers navigate their own challenges. Matthew's honest narrative about vulnerability and the power of talking openly about one's struggles makes this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of sports, mental health, and personal redemption.

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Matthew Briggs is a former professional footballer, who made history as the youngest-ever Premier League player when he debuted for Fulham at just 16 years old. However, he went for being speculated as a future England captain to being benched, battling career altering injuries, and spiralling into depression and alcoholism. Matthew went through an unbelievable journey of self, training as a life coach and now mentors young players at Fulham FC’s academy and is a public advocate for mental health in sports.

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