Dare to be Different with Craig White

Lawrence Dallaglio, the former England rugby captain and World Cup winner, shares how personal tragedies shaped his leadership style and resilience. He dives deep into how grief influenced his drive, making rugby a sanctuary. Discussing the emotional costs of elite performance, he reflects on vulnerability and the importance of seeking help. Dallaglio also sheds light on his charity, RugbyWorks, which supports excluded youth, emphasizing the need for connection and mentorship. Ultimately, he explores finding presence and self-compassion in a demanding life.

Human potential coach and breathwork guide Ben Bidwell joins the show to share his journey from emotional numbness to embodied presence. In this deep and vulnerable conversation, Ben explores the nervous system, the healing power of breathwork, and what it truly means to feel. He also reflects on his past patterns of disconnection, his breakthrough moments, and why men need a different kind of support when it comes to emotional growth.SHOW NOTESHow breathwork helped him reconnect with emotional safetyWhy the body holds the truth we often avoidThe patterns that kept him numb and performingHow presence became more powerful than performanceThe emotional cost of not being taught how to feel

Clinical psychologist and trauma specialist Dr. Warren Larkin shares decades of insight into how unresolved childhood trauma and repressed emotional pain continue to shape our adult lives, from nervous system dysregulation to chronic stress and emotional disconnection. He explains the hidden cost of survival, why we break down when we stop staying busy, and how true healing begins with nervous system awareness.SHOW NOTES:Why trauma is far more common than most people thinkHow childhood attachment shapes your ability to regulate emotionsWhat happens when high performers stop and finally feelHow grief, stress, and trauma show up in the bodySimple, powerful tools to start healing your nervous systemYou can find more information about Warren and his work here: https://warrenlarkinassociates.co.uk/

What separates elite coaches from good ones? It’s not just technique. It’s not just presence. It’s the ability to think at a much higher level.In this episode, Craig sits down with developmental psychologist Dr. Darren Stevens for a deep dive on why most coaches unknowingly operate below the level of their clients and what it really takes operate at the next level of human development and performance.Dr Darren Steven is a University lecturer, researcher, and author, he is the founder of 'Constructed Development Theory'. A breakthrough psychological approach to adult development that focuses on self-awareness through understanding the unconscious use of mental shortcuts. His theory offers a practical process to elevate levels of thinking to promote personal growth.This is a conversation for the coaches, leaders, and self development seekers who are ready to evolve beyond their limitations and step towards the next level of human development and mastery.SHOW NOTES- Why coaches must think above the level of their clients- The critical role of pattern recognition in transformation- How traditional coaching qualifications fall short- What happens when a client outpaces the coach- How to step into “next-level” coaching that truly changes lives

In this episode, Craig White sits down with Leadership coach Benjamin Owen. Ben opens up about his personal journey and the patterns that have shaped him: father dynamics, self-story and self-sabotage, the role of coaches and teams, and the small practices he uses to steady himself. In this conversation we discuss:- Why hiding parts of yourself limits your power as a coach- The ripple effect of radical transparency in group settings- How to embody love and openness in professional life- Men's retreats and the tools that create transformation- Integrating leadership with emotional awareness- Creating space for others by going first- Fatherhood dynamics and the effect on leadershipSHOW NOTES– Intro & Ben’s background– Growing up & father dynamics – Self-sabotage & early struggles – Recovery, coaches & support network– Performance, teams & business – Relationships & family

Clarke Carlisle was once known as the “brainiest footballer” — a Premier League defender, PFA chairman, and TV pundit.But behind the public persona was a man crumbling under the weight of expectation, alcohol dependency, depression, and suicidal thoughts.In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Clarke sits down with Craig White to talk about the cost of tying your identity to performance, the masks men wear to survive, and the brutal reality of hitting rock bottom.He also shares the turning point that changed his life in 2017 - discovering cognitive analytical therapy (CAT), finding hope, and learning how to rebuild as a father, husband, and leader.If you’ve ever felt trapped by your own success, or wondered what it takes to come back from the darkest places, this conversation will hit home.Show NotesIdentity & CollapseHow injury and loss of football destroyed Clark’s sense of worthThe dangers of tying identity to performanceAlcohol, Avoidance & The MaskDrinking, gambling, gaming — and the exhausting cost of hiding strugglesThe mask men wear to surviveRock BottomDepression, hypersomnia, bottles by the bedSuicide attempts and the moment he almost didn’t surviveThe Turning Point2017: NHS psychiatric hospital and cognitive analytical therapy (CAT)How CAT therapy gave him hope and a way outPurpose & TransformationRebuilding as a husband, father, and leaderTurning his mess into his message with his wifeWhy speaking out, and knowing who to talk to, saves lives

Denis Betts, a rugby league legend and current coach of Wigan Warriors women's team, shares his transformative journey beyond the pitch. He opens up about letting go of anger in his twenties and the regrets surrounding his retirement fueled by clashing egos. Denis emphasizes the importance of family and the influence of strong women in shaping his leadership style. He reflects on discovering joy in life's simple moments and the true meaning of success, proving that personal fulfillment outweighs the glory of medals.

I first coached James Haskell when he was a teenager - he had big energy, big personality, and was full of potential. But beneath the surface, he was carrying self-doubt, pressure, and a deep need to prove himself.In this episode, we sit down for a raw and honest conversation about what was really going on behind the image.We talk about:The impact of being medicated from age 10 and surviving boarding schoolWhy he spent years performing, without knowing who he really wasWhat therapy helped him uncover about self-worth, confidence, and angerThe moment he saw his dad's "shadows" for the first timeWhy strength without emotional range isn't leadershipHow marriage, grief, and failure shaped the man he’s becomingIt’s not about rugby. It’s about the work men have to do when the noise stops, and the feelings finally catch up.

Mike Bates grew up in chaos - violence, instability and the deep belief that he wasn’t enough. That belief followed him through the military, into high-stakes leadership, and even across a solo Atlantic row.In this episode, Mike shares how childhood trauma shaped his mindset, relationships and sense of identity, and what it took to finally let go of performance and prove nothing to no one.We talk about the rope climb that changed his life, the cost of people-pleasing, and how Brazilian jiu-jitsu helped him discover real emotional strength.You’ll hear about:Growing up without his dad and how that created a fear of abandonmentUsing performance as a way to earn love and worthHis transformation from elite leadership to emotional depthWhy leadership without inner work eventually breaks downHow jiu-jitsu reveals who you really are when everything else is stripped awayThis is a story about limits, letting go, and learning to lead yourself first.

Kruise Leeming, a professional rugby league player and former captain of the Leeds Rhinos, engages in a heartfelt discussion about leadership shaped by personal loss. He shares how the early death of his father forged his sense of responsibility. The conversation dives into the challenges of performance-driven leadership and the costs of neglecting personal relationships. Kruise emphasizes the importance of vulnerability, reconnecting with faith, and the transformative journey from anger to empathy, ultimately striving to be a better man both on and off the pitch.