We've all been there. You wake up and everything just feels... off. Maybe you've got a work deadline looming, your family is getting on your nerves, household responsibilities are piling up, or you're just having one of those days where your brain seems determined to focus on everything that's going wrong. Some days, even getting out of bed feels like climbing a mountain. You don't need hours of free time or expensive equipment to lift your spirits. These five mood-boosting techniques are design...
Jun 12, 2025•5 min•Season 2Ep. 20
What Actually Is Mental Health? When you hear “mental health,” what comes to mind? If you’re picturing someone having a complete breakdown on the touchline or a player who can’t cope with pressure, you’re not alone – but you’re also missing the bigger picture. Mental health isn’t just about mental illness, and it definitely isn’t just about feeling down after a defeat. Think of mental health like physical fitness. Just as your physical health exists on a spectrum – from feeling energetic and mat...
Jun 12, 2025•5 min•Season 2Ep. 19
Let's get one thing straight: we're not about to tell you to "just be grateful" when you're struggling, or suggest that positive thinking can solve all your problems. That's not what gratitude practice is about, and frankly, that kind of advice can be pretty unhelpful when you're dealing with real challenges.
Jun 12, 2025•5 min•Season 2Ep. 21
As a grassroots football coach, I've seen how Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) can significantly impact players with ADHD.
Mar 17, 2025•4 min•Season 2Ep. 11
If you ask a doctor or read a medical book, it will define ADHD as a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by traits of impulsivity, forgetfulness, and disorganisation.
Mar 17, 2025•2 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Mistakes are inevitable in football. Whether it's a misplaced pass, a missed tackle or a squandered scoring opportunity, how players respond to these moments can define their performance.
Mar 17, 2025•6 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Do your players sometimes struggle to understand their neurodiverse teammate's needs? Creating an environment where neurotypical players comprehend and support neurodiversity within the team is essential for building genuine inclusion, empathy and compassion throughout the squad.
Mar 17, 2025•9 min•Season 2Ep. 17
In this episode, Danny sits down with Jennie Smith, Director of Safeguarding Today to explore the crucial role of safeguarding in football, from grassroots to the professional game. Jennie shares insights from her extensive experience, including her background as a criminal barrister and prosecutor, and her work leading safeguarding education for the English Football League (EFL). Key discussion points include: The importance of safeguarding in grassroots football and how it differs from the pro...
Mar 17, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Neurodiversity refers to natural variations in brain development and function, not a mental health condition.
Mar 17, 2025•5 min•Season 2Ep. 18
I might not seem autistic, but that doesn’t mean it affects me any less. On the outside, I might look like everybody else, but inside my own head, it's a completely different story.
Mar 17, 2025•3 min•Season 2Ep. 14
This story was found on Reddit and highlights how the suppression of authentic emotional expression in neurodivergent youth doesn't simply fade away - it evolves into profound communication barriers in adulthood. When children, particularly those with autism, are consistently taught that their natural expressions of joy or excitement are "too much," they develop sophisticated masking techniques that eventually become involuntary prison cells....
Mar 17, 2025•3 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Understanding ADHD in Grassroots Football Coaching all young players in grassroots football requires patience, adaptability and an understanding of how different children learn and respond to instructions.
Mar 17, 2025•4 min•Season 2Ep. 15
This episode draws on the expertise of our comprehensive training course designed for coaches, players, referees, parents/carers, and volunteers - Understanding Neurodiversity in Grassroots Football. In this episode, we delve into what neurodiversity means – the different ways the brain can work and interpret information, highlighting that people think differently and have varied interests and motivations and importantly, that it is not a mental health condition . We emphasise the importance of ...
Mar 17, 2025•21 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Living with ADHD feels like life is on hard mode. It's as if my brain is ruled by a never-ending pursuit of dopamine - always chasing that next hit of excitement, stimulation, or novelty.
Mar 17, 2025•2 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Jude's story is in All Footballers Experience: Anxiety , a groundbreaking children's book that follows the journey of the protagonist, a young Man United fan whose love for football is being challenged by an unwelcome companion - the Worry Monster. This antagonist, a manifestation of anxiety that children can visualise and understand, has been making Jude's favourite activities feel increasingly difficult. Even the simple joy of playing football in the park with friends has become daunting as th...
Feb 05, 2025•22 min•Season 2Ep. 7
A children's book where Manchester United stars teach young fans about anxiety through magical storytelling and practical techniques. All Footballers Experience brings mental health education to life through vibrant, child-friendly illustrations. It's a groundbreaking children's book that follows the journey of the protagonist, Jude/Isabella, a young Man United fan whose love for football is being challenged by an unwelcome companion - the Worry Monster. This antagonist, a manifestation of anxie...
Feb 05, 2025•17 min•Season 2Ep. 6
The tragic, recent news of young grassroots footballers Jack Badger (24) and Riley Townsend (12) who both died by suicide have brought the crisis we face in society closer to the coal face of grassroots football. These two tragedies are not isolated. The silence around male mental health is deafening, and it’s costing lives. We believe that the football community needs more support and education around male suicide. Football at all levels isn't just about the game; it's about community, friendsh...
Jan 08, 2025•1 hr 32 min•Season 2Ep. 5
In this episode of The Football Mental Health Alliance Podcast , Jon shares his remarkable 15-year journey in football, covering roles from coaching and player care to leadership positions. Jon discusses his passion for holistic player care, blending psychology, coaching, and strength training to support players on and off the pitch. He reflects on his work with women's and girls' football, grassroots development, and international teams, including the Afghanistan Women's National Development Te...
Jan 08, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Brad Burton is the UK’s number one motivational speaker, renowned for his no-nonsense, straight-talking approach that inspires audiences to take action and transform their lives. As the founder of the UK’s largest business network, 4Networking, Brad has built a career on empowering individuals to achieve success through resilience, grit, and authenticity. A best-selling author of four business and personal development books, Brad’s story is one of remarkable perseverance. From being £25,000 in d...
Jan 08, 2025•59 min•Season 2Ep. 4
All Footballers Experience brings mental health education to life through vibrant, child-friendly illustrations. It's a groundbreaking children's book that follows the journey of the protagonist, Jude, a young Arsenal fan whose love for football is being challenged by an unwelcome companion - the Worry Monster. This antagonist, a manifestation of anxiety that children can visualise and understand, has been making Jude's favourite activities feel increasingly difficult. Even the simple joy of pla...
Dec 04, 2024•17 min•Season 2Ep. 2
The NHS in England has expanded its 111 service to include dedicated mental health support, providing a crucial lifeline for those in crisis. This service connects callers to local mental health professionals, available 24/7, who can offer immediate assessments, deploy crisis teams and guide individuals to appropriate local resources. This move places the UK ahead of many international health systems in integrating mental health care with general health services. The initiative aims to address t...
Sep 03, 2024•1 min•Season 1Ep. 47
Simon York is a dedicated father of four neurodivergent children and a committed carer to his wife, who has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Despite his own challenges, including being disabled with prolapsed discs and a diagnosis of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) following a neurological stroke in June 2023, Simon remains deeply passionate about disability football. His journey in disability football began over 15 years ago when he started taking his children to sessions. Recognising the profoun...
Sep 03, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Vault Ambassador Steven Caulker outlines how untreated depression affected his performance.
Sep 03, 2024•1 min•Season 1Ep. 46
In today’s fast-paced world, young men face unique pressures that can negatively impact their mental health. So, with the new football season upon us, it is the perfect moment to explore how the beautiful game can boost not only young men’s physical fitness, but also their mental health and well-being. Having spent many a Saturday night in the pub with housemates who were avid football fans, I have been subject to numerous vivid recounts of the day’s football games. Their enthusiasm was contagio...
Sep 03, 2024•7 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Julian Kynaston is the Chair of GenM, the menopause partner for brands. GenM, founded by Heather Jackson and Sam Siminster, empowers its Collective to better serve the unmet needs of the 1 billion global menopausal audience, too often overlooked and underserved. A self-proclaimed feminist, Julian aims to debunk myths and open up crucial conversations about menopause, educating the wider audience on how menopause affects the majority of us, either directly or indirectly. He emphasises the need fo...
Sep 03, 2024•7 min•Season 1Ep. 44
In this candid and insightful session, in association with Reward Finance Group , Steven, who played for England and Premier League clubs Liverpool, Southampton and Spurs delves into his personal journey with mental health, offering an unparalleled perspective on the challenges footballers face on and off the pitch. With a career that has seen the highs of Premier League success and international duty, alongside the lows of personal struggles with depression and addiction, Caulker's story is a t...
Jun 28, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Over four million children in England play football, which for many is the start of a lifelong love affair with the sport. Many years down the line these children will become the volunteers that keep the game running, whilst many will continue playing well into their later years. A very small portion of them will even make it professional.
Jun 17, 2024•3 min•Season 1Ep. 42
Guest: Hans Cook, Business Support Administrator at Berks and Bucks FA. Responsible for supporting the CEO and staff with administrative tasks across areas including Finance, Process Management, HR, Office Management and Communications. Mental Health Ambassador for Berks & Bucks FA. In this episode, Hans shares his transformative journey from the field of chemistry to the football pitch, highlighting how his personal struggles with mental health shaped his career and advocacy. Hans discusses...
Jun 17, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 14
The following tips and advice on managing ADHD have been sourced from personal experiences shared by individuals on the internet. This information should not be considered medical advice. As with all content provided by The Vault , it is essential to seek specialist or expert advice before making any changes to your health or treatment plan. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional to develop a strategy tailored to your specific needs and circumstances.
Jun 17, 2024•4 min•Season 1Ep. 41
The first time I said these words I was 19, doing my first stint in rehab. I never really knew what they meant, and I certainly didn't know just how bad things were going to get. What does it mean? "People with compulsive gambling have a hard time resisting or controlling the impulse to gamble. The brain is reacting to this impulse in the same manner it reacts to a person addicted to alcohol or drugs."
Jun 17, 2024•2 min•Season 1Ep. 40
