Former Norwich City and Crystal Palace striker Leon McKenzie suffered with depression during his successful, yet injury-plagued professional career. In an exclusive interview, McKenzie says believing he hadn’t reached his full potential led to him to the brink of suicide, but how becoming a professional boxer enabled him to overcome his mental demons. For more […]
Leon McKenzie
Hope after sport: Rob Steed and Leon McKenzie discuss mental health and the importance of future employment
According to a Professional Players’ Federation survey, more than half of former professional sportspeople hold concerns about their mental wellbeing after retiring. Rob Steed, co-founder of Life After Professional Sport, a careers platform designed specifically for sportspeople, spoke to Struggles After The Whistle about the importance of LAPS’ work. Also hear from ex-professional footballer Leon McKenzie, […]
Leon McKenzie admits not wanting to show weakness during mental health struggles
Former professional footballer and boxer Leon McKenzie has opened up about his battle with mental illness, admitting ‘you don’t want to show weakness’ to the ‘old school set-up’ in the sporting world. The 40-year-old, now a leading mental health advocate, revealed his thoughts about the state of mental health in sport in an exclusive interview […]
Sports star Leon McKenzie admits keeping battle with depression a secret
Ex-professional footballer and boxer Leon McKenzie has admitted football negatively affected his mental health during his 18-year career. The 40-year-old, now a mental health advocate, shared his past regrets on not seeking professional help, and his reasons for keeping his battle with depression secret. “I think if I had spoken to the right people, if […]