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On The Mend

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Rating
★★★★★
5
from
7 reviews
This podcast has
99 episodes
Language
English
Explicit
No
Date created
2023/07/13
Latest episode
2026/11/09
Average duration
57 min.
Release period
6 days

Description

On The Mend is the podcast where we look back at life’s hardest moments to understand how to move forward, with honesty, heart, and hope. In each episode, Matt Willis explores recovery, resilience, and mental strength through open and honest conversations. Some episodes feature guests sharing powerful stories of personal transformation. Others bring in expert voices offering practical tools and insights, and in solo episodes, Matt reflects on his own journey through addiction, identity, and healing. This is a space for anyone navigating life’s challenges. On The Mend is your companion through the highs, lows, and everything in between. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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105yo WWII Pilot on Loss, Never Losing Hope & The World Today
2026/11/09
At 23, Colin Bell was flying into enemy fire, knowing there was a one-in-four chance he wouldn't make it home. Now, at 105, he's outlived every one of the men he flew alongside, lost the love of his life, and still refuses to lose hope. Colin shares what it was like to face death in the skies, the love he shared with his wife Kath for 73 years, and learning to carry on after losing her. After a lifetime of extraordinary highs and lows, Colin's message is simple: don't lose hope, surround yourself with good people, and look up, not down. This is a conversation about courage, love and finding the strength to keep going. Need Support? Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org Narcotics Anonymous: na.org Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk Shout: https: giveusashout.org IAPT: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Rick Shiels: I Promised My Wife I Wouldn’t Drink… Then Woke Up Not Knowing How We Got Home
2026/11/02
Golf YouTuber Rick Shiels built a career in front of the camera, but behind the scenes, he was struggling to switch off, whether it was alcohol, his phone, or the weight of what strangers thought of him. Rick shares how changing his relationship with alcohol and social media helped him become a healthier, more present dad, and how he learned to stop letting online hate define him. From learning to set boundaries to questioning why we give strangers so much power over our lives, Rick's story is about taking back control of your attention, your relationships and your own sense of self. Need Support? Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org Narcotics Anonymous: na.org Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk Shout: https: giveusashout.org IAPT: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tom Grennan: The Text From an Old Friend That Saved My Life
2026/10/26
Singer-songwriter Tom Grennan spent years believing alcohol and drugs were part of what made him who he was. Walking away from them meant facing a bigger question: who was he without them? Tom shares the moment he knew he had to change, the work it took to forgive himself, and how becoming a dad gave him a new perspective on the life he wanted to build. Rather than losing his personality, he found himself feeling more alive, more present, and more connected to the people he loves. He also talks about finding an unexpected outlet in golf, where time with mates has brought release, connection and some of life’s most important conversations. For Tom, recovery has become about more than leaving the past behind. It’s about discovering what makes life worth showing up for. Tom's new single ‘Wrapped In Gold' is out now Need Support? Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org Narcotics Anonymous: na.org Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk Shout: https: giveusashout.org IAPT: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/ AG1 👉 Grab the Autumn Wellness bundle at http://drinkag1.com/onthemend - Get a free welcome kit and shaker, a month's supply of Omega 3 capsules, a bottle of Vitamin D3K2 and five travel packs, plus an extra £10 off Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jeff Brazier: Foster Care, Losing Jade & Fighting for His Son
2026/10/19
TV presenter and grief advocate Jeff Brazier knows that grief doesn’t always look the way we expect it to. After losing Jade Goody, Jeff became a solo parent to two grieving boys while putting his own pain to one side to keep his family going. He shares what he learned about grief, parenting and the limits of trying to fix something that can’t be fixed. Years later, Jeff has found a different way to understand his own emotions, and a deeper sense of what it means to simply keep showing up for the people you love. This is a conversation about grief, fatherhood, emotional resilience and learning that sometimes being there is enough. Need Support? Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org Narcotics Anonymous: na.org Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk Shout: https: giveusashout.org IAPT: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/ AG1 👉 Grab the Autumn Wellness bundle at http://drinkag1.com/onthemend - Get a free welcome kit and shaker, a month's supply of Omega 3 capsules, a bottle of Vitamin D3K2 and five travel packs, plus an extra £10 off Randox 👉 Head to the Randox Health website and check out the RanChip Insight 360 test. You can get a 10% discount by using the code OTM10 along with up to £250 cashback if you refer a friend https://highpfrmc.com/OTM-Randox-AU Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
TOP RATED | “I’m One Beer Away from Losing Everything” | The Script’s Danny O’Donoghue
2026/10/15
The Script's Danny O'Donoghue gets brutally honest about grief, PTSD, and what it really took to get sober. Following the devastating loss of his bandmate and best friend Mark Sheehan, Danny opens up about hitting rock bottom over a dark Christmas in Dublin and the brutal reality of quitting it all cold turkey. This discussion tracks the rollercoaster of Danny's career, from a failed €15 million record deal at 16 to sobbing on his knees when they finally hit number one. He also shares the lightbulb moment of a dyslexia diagnosis at 43, which reframed a lifetime of anxiety and fear. It's a testament to perseverance and a beautiful look at finding collective truth through our darkest moments. This episode covers the following themes: Grief, Addiction, Rejection, Anxiety, Recovery Need Support? Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org Narcotics Anonymous: na.org Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk Shout: https: giveusashout.org IAPT: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/ The Script's new album: 'The User's Guide To Being Human' will be released on 14th August 2026. Pre-order/Pre-save here: https://thescript.lnk.to/UGTBHPR Better Help 👉 Join Matt in Saying It Louder with 10% off Betterhelp Therapy. Click here: https://highpfrmc.com/otm-betterhelp-au  Postcode Lottery 👉 Discover how Postcode Lottery players are Powering Hope Together. Click here to find out more: https://highpfrmc.com/otm-postcode-au  AG1 👉Head to http://drinkag1.com/onthemend to save £20 on your first month, plus a free welcome kit, Vitamin D3 + K2 and five travel packs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
TOP RATED | Simon Thomas: Sudden Loss, Grief and Alcohol Addiction
2026/10/15
Sky Sports presenter Simon Thomas delivers one of the most raw and honest accounts of grief and addiction ever shared in the public eye. Following the sudden death of his wife, Gemma, Simon faced a years-long battle with secret drinking while navigating the pressures of public life and parenthood. In this episode, he exposes the "release valve" of alcohol that promised an escape but led to a darker reality. Simon also shares the complexities of finding love again with his partner Doina, the crushing weight of "being strong," and the powerful realization that while life will never be the same, it can, and will, be good again. This episode covers the following themes: Grief, Addiction, Resilience, Fatherhood, and Recovery. Need Support? Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org Narcotics Anonymous: na.org Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk Shout: https: giveusashout.org IAPT: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/ Heights👉 Join Matt in getting your energy back with Vitals. 20% off here: https://highpfrmc.com/au3-OTM20 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
TOP RATED | How a Phone Call on Air Changed Iain Lee’s Life Forever
2026/10/15
After decades in the spotlight as a broadcaster, comedian, and writer, Iain Lee found himself in a moment that would change and possibly save, more than one life. In this powerful episode, Iain recounts the night a caller to his late-night radio show shared that he had taken an overdose. What followed was a raw, real-time crisis that showed the power of being present and how connection, even through a radio line, can save someone’s life. Iain opens up about how that moment led him to retrain as a counsellor, his experience living with ADHD, and what it means to sit with people in their darkest moments. With vulnerability, insight, and deep empathy, this episode is a reminder that healing starts with being heard. Partners:  Heights👉 Join Matt in getting your energy back with Vitals 20% off here: https://highpfrmc.com/OTM Need Support? Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org Narcotics Anonymous: na.org Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk Shout: https: giveusashout.org IAPT: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nikki Lilly: 97 Operations, Online Trolls & Years of Self-Hatred
2026/10/12
Nikki Lilly has spent much of her life navigating chronic illness, hospital stays and a body that has often felt unfamiliar to her. She shares how creativity, therapy, family and connection have helped her rebuild her confidence and learn to accept herself exactly as she is. This is a conversation about self-love, resilience and finding your way back to yourself. This episode explores Chronic Illness, Trauma & Mental Health, Self-Acceptance, Family, and Finding Connection. Need Support? Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org Narcotics Anonymous: na.org Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk Shout: https: giveusashout.org Randox 👉 Head to the Randox Health website and check out the RanChip Insight 360 test. You can get a 10% discount by using the code OTM10 along with up to £250 cashback if you refer a friend https://highpfrmc.com/OTM-Randox-AU AG1 👉 Grab the Autumn Wellness bundle at http://drinkag1.com/onthemend - Get a free welcome kit and shaker, a month's supply of Omega 3 capsules, a bottle of Vitamin D3K2 and five travel packs, plus an extra £10 off Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
My Book That Got Pulled Last-Minute | Matt Willis
2026/10/05
For Matt Willis, addiction was never the real problem. It was the solution to a pain he didn't know how to deal with. In this solo episode, Matt talks about Mending, his new memoir tracing his lifelong relationship with addiction, recovery, and the work of understanding what sits underneath it. He shares why he wrote the book, how he's learned to let go of resentment towards his past, and why recovery has to come first. Above all, Matt shares the hope at the heart of Mending: that another life is possible, no matter how stuck you feel. This episode explores Addiction, Recovery, Healing, Forgiveness, and Hope. Need Support? Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org Narcotics Anonymous: na.org Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk Shout: https: giveusashout.org IAPT: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/ AG1 👉 Grab the Autumn Wellness bundle at http://drinkag1.com/onthemend - Get a free welcome kit and shaker, a month's supply of Omega 3 capsules, a bottle of Vitamin D3K2 and five travel packs, plus an extra £10 off Randox 👉 Head to the Randox Health website and check out the RanChip Insight 360 test. You can get a 10% discount by using the code OTM10 along with up to £250 cashback if you refer a friend https://highpfrmc.com/OTM-Randox-AU Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Professor David Nutt: Psychedelics, Depression & The War On Drugs
2026/09/28
Matt Willis sits down with Professor David Nutt, one of the world's leading experts on drugs and the brain, to answer a question so many people carry in silence: why can't I just stop? David explains how addiction changes the brain, why willpower isn't always enough, and why understanding the biology can help replace shame with compassion. He also explores the emerging science of psychedelics and their potential to help people break free from deeply rooted patterns. Your brain has been changed. That's why this is hard. But it can recover, and the science is beginning to show us how. This episode explores Addiction, The Brain & Recovery, Shame & Stigma, and Psychedelics. Need Support? Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org Narcotics Anonymous: na.org Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk Shout: https: giveusashout.org IAPT: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/ Randox 👉 Head to the Randox Health website and check out the RanChip Insight 360 test. You can get a 10% discount by using the code OTM10 along with up to £250 cashback if you refer a friend https://highpfrmc.com/OTM-Randox-AU AG1 👉 Head to http://drinkag1.com/onthemend to save £20 on your first month, plus a free welcome kit, Vitamin D3 + K2 and five travel packs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Moment Window Kid Broke Down Over Losing Himself To Alcohol
2026/09/21
Musician and internet personality Window Kid, aka Greg, built a career around being the life of the party, until drinking nearly cost him his life. After being hospitalised with severe pancreatitis, Greg was faced with a reality he couldn't ignore: if he carried on drinking, he could die. But getting sober also meant confronting a bigger fear, who was Window Kid without alcohol? Greg shares how he rebuilt his life and career in sobriety, the unexpected friendship with Robbie Williams that supported him along the way, and why giving up alcohol opened up a world he never thought he'd enjoy. This is a conversation about addiction, identity, recovery, and discovering that life on the other side can be better than you imagined. Need Support? Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org Narcotics Anonymous: na.org Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk Shout: https: giveusashout.org IAPT: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/ Randox 👉 Head to the Randox Health website and check out the RanChip Insight 360 test. You can get a 10% discount by using the code OTM10 along with up to £250 cashback if you refer a friend https://highpfrmc.com/OTM-Randox-AU AG1 👉 Head to http://drinkag1.com/onthemend to save £20 on your first month, plus a free welcome kit, Vitamin D3 + K2 and five travel packs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
“I Know I’m Going to Die of Dementia” | Jordan Adams
2026/09/14
Mental health and dementia advocate Jordan Adams grew up watching Frontotemporal Dementia slowly take his mum away. Years later, a genetic test revealed that he carries the same mutation. Jordan shares the unique grief of losing someone while they're still here, and what it means to live knowing he may develop the same disease that took his mum. But rather than allowing that uncertainty to define his life, Jordan has turned it into a reason to live more fully. He talks about finding purpose through advocacy, carrying his mum's spirit with him, and why his diagnosis has become what he calls a “license to live”. This is a conversation about grief, mortality, purpose, and choosing what you do with the time you have. Themes: Frontotemporal Dementia, Grief, Genetic Testing, Mortality, and Finding Purpose. Learn more about Jordan's work: Jordan and his brother Cian share their story, raise awareness of FTD and support fundraising for dementia research through The FTD Brothers - https://theftdbrothers.com Randox 👉 Head to the Randox Health website and check out the RanChip Insight 360 test. You can get a 10% discount by using the code OTM10 along with up to £250 cashback if you refer a friend https://highpfrmc.com/OTM-Randox-AU AG1 👉 Head to http://drinkag1.com/onthemend to save £20 on your first month, plus a free welcome kit, Vitamin D3 + K2 and five travel packs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
"I Hated Myself for What I'd Done" | Ben West, on Losing His Brother
2026/09/07
Mental health campaigner Ben West was 17 when his younger brother Sam took his own life. In a single night, everything changed. Ben shares the guilt he carried afterwards, the conversations he wishes he'd known how to have, and how he eventually began to understand that he wasn't responsible for what happened. He also explores how grief became purpose, from campaigning for better mental health education to creating Reasons to Stay, which has now shared millions of messages of hope around the world. Together, Matt and Ben explore men's mental health, supporting someone who's struggling, and why sometimes connection matters more than having the right words. Themes: Suicide & Bereavement, Grief & Guilt, Men's Mental Health, Purpose, and Connection. Ben West's new book: 'Reasons to...: Letters of Hope from a World that Cares' is out in January 2027 and available to pre-order now: bit.ly/ReasonsToAMZ Need Support? Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org Narcotics Anonymous: na.org Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk Shout: https: giveusashout.org IAPT: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/ Randox 👉 Head to the Randox Health website and check out the RanChip Insight 360 test. You can get a 10% discount by using the code OTM10 along with up to £250 cashback if you refer a friend https://highpfrmc.com/OTM-Randox-AU Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Race Across The World That Helped Alfie Watts Process His Grief
2026/08/31
Race Across the World star Alfie Watts knows how much can change in a day. At 16, during the lowest point of his life, he made a decision to stay for “one more day”, then another. Years later, Alfie looks back at that version of himself as someone he barely recognises. From losing his mum and finding family outside of blood, to becoming the role model he once needed, Alfie shares the mindset that has carried him forward: take life in small steps, say yes when you can, and remember that neither the highs nor the lows last forever. This is a conversation about growing up, finding your people, and discovering just how different life can look when you give tomorrow a chance. Themes: Mental Health, Grief & Loss, Chosen Family, Purpose, and Hope. Need Support? Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org Narcotics Anonymous: na.org Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk Shout: https: giveusashout.org IAPT: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/ Randox 👉 Head to the Randox Health website and check out the RanChip Insight 360 test. You can get a 10% discount by using the code OTM10 along with up to £250 cashback if you refer a friend https://highpfrmc.com/OTM-Randox-AU Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Constant Chaos That Made Me Keep Drinking: Preston from Ordinary Boys
2026/08/24
Musician and songwriter Preston sits down with Matt to explore fame, addiction, and the long road back to himself. Preston shares how a four-storey fall from a hotel balcony in Denmark led to months in a wheelchair, an OxyContin prescription, and a private battle with addiction. He also reflects on the pressures of sudden fame after Celebrity Big Brother, being prescribed Prozac at 14, and trying to find his place in an industry he never expected to be part of. Now 44, Preston talks about making peace with his past after years spent trying to outrun it. He shares how recovery, music, and self-acceptance have helped him rediscover joy in what he calls the happiest and most creative chapter of his life. This episode explores Addiction, Recovery, Mental Health, Fame & Identity, and Self-Acceptance. Randox 👉 Head to the Randox Health website and check out the RanChip Insight 360 test. You can get a 10% discount by using the code OTM10 along with up to £250 cashback if you refer a friend https://highpfrmc.com/OTM-Randox-AU AG1 👉Head to http://drinkag1.com/onthemend to get a Morning Person Cap with AG1, plus free welcome kit, Vitamin D3 + K2 and five travel packs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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