How Does Sport Affect Our Mental Health? with Jack Laugher and Kadeena Cox

Youth Rising by NCS

Young voices. Big issues. Welcome to Youth Rising by NCS! The podcast for young people, made by young people. It’s episode 9 and in the penultimate episode of the series, we’re talking about overcoming hurdles, going for gold and striving for serotonin as we look

at the relationship between sport and mental health.

We're joined by leading voices from the world of sport to explore the benefits of exercise to physical and mental well-being, but also what happens when the pressure of pushing yourself to achieve becomes too much.

Olympic diver Jack Laugher opens up about his personal journey overcoming anxiety and low self-confidence, explains why his bronze Olympic medal means more to him than his silver and gold, and shares his tips for anyone struggling right now. Journalist, presenter and podcaster Charlie Webster shares how sport helped her through her teenage years and still does today, and why we should all be kinder to ourselves when we don’t make it off the sofa. And Paralympian, presenter and Celebrity Masterchef winner Kadeena Cox talks about how she processed the shift in her career after being diagnosed with MS.

This week we also heard from Erin Williams at Stonewall about the amazing work they’ve been doing with their Rainbow Laces campaign and from the Head of Youth Services, Kayleigh Harris at Sport in Mind, who spoke to us about the incredible sport workshops they do with young people to help with mental health struggles.

If you feel affected by any of the issues raised in this episode, themix.org.uk offer advice and support for under-25s.

Reading List:

Achieve The Impossible by Gregory White

Born To Run by Christopher McDougall

The Mamba Mentality: How I Play by Kobie Bryant

Mindset: A Mental Guide for Sport by Hans Dekkers and Jackie Reardon

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices