Dare to be Different with Craig White

This episode Craig explores the inner landscape of men’s mental health with a psychotherapist who has spent decades helping her clients heal shame, regulate their nervous systems, and reconnect with their inner strength. With a deeply personal share, grounded insights and practical tools, this conversation invites men and women to feel again — and heal from the inside out.In this episode, Ella reveals:A personal story of trauma and how it shaped perception of menWhy shame and self-criticism often block emotional healingHow trauma can be stored physically and subconsciouslyWhy many men feel unsafe sharing emotional painUnderstanding the cycles of abuse and emotional complexityWhy nervous system regulation is key to transformationAgreements for emotional safety in relationships Season 3 is proudly sponsored by Lightside Financial Planning - a fiercely independent, Liverpool-based firm focused on clear, human conversations about money. Find out more at https://lightsidefp.co.uk/

Mike Brown, a former England rugby full-back and now a high-performance consultant, shares the emotional journey behind his fierce career. He discusses how anger and rejection shaped his identity and the cost of elite performance as he transitioned from rugby. Becoming a father reframed his purpose, pushing him to foster connections with teammates and build healthier high-performance cultures. Mike emphasizes the importance of empathy, letting go of the fear of judgment, and finding balance in life after sport.

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 Season 3 is proudly sponsored by Lightside Financial Planning - a fiercely independent, Liverpool-based firm focused on clear, human conversations about money. Find out more at https://lightsidefp.co.uk/

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/ Season 3 is proudly sponsored by Lightside Financial Planning - a fiercely independent, Liverpool-based firm focused on clear, human conversations about money. Find out more at https://lightsidefp.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 Season 3 is proudly sponsored by Lightside Financial Planning - a fiercely independent, Liverpool-based firm focused on clear, human conversations about money. Find out more at https://lightsidefp.co.uk/

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 Season 3 is proudly sponsored by Lightside Financial Planning - a fiercely independent, Liverpool-based firm focused on clear, human conversations about money. Find out more at https://lightsidefp.co.uk/

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 Season 3 is proudly sponsored by Lightside Financial Planning - a fiercely independent, Liverpool-based firm focused on clear, human conversations about money. Find out more at https://lightsidefp.co.uk/

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. Season 3 is proudly sponsored by Lightside Financial Planning - a fiercely independent, Liverpool-based firm focused on clear, human conversations about money. Find out more at https://lightsidefp.co.uk/