Ep118. Mind Your Head - Elliott Hagen on Normalising Mental Health ConversationsEp118. Mind Your Head - Elliott Hagen on Normalising Mental Health Conversations
The Truth About Addiction
Elliott Hagen opens up about his journey from rugby to addiction recovery, emphasising self-love and the importance of mental health conversations.
1:11:01•29 Sept 2025
Mind Your Head: Elliott Hagen's Journey to Self-Love
Episode Overview
- Self-love is crucial for loving others.
- Professional help can be transformative.
- Drugs and alcohol often mask deeper issues.
- Being present enriches life experiences.
- Service to others starts with self-care.
“The moment I started loving myself truly was the moment I could love others fully as well.”
How do people find hope in the darkest times? Ron Isherwood chats with Elliott Hagen, former rugby player and founder of the Mind Your Head podcast, about his journey through addiction and mental health challenges. Elliott candidly shares his struggles with identity after his sports career ended and how he leaned on drugs and alcohol to cope. He discusses the transformative moment when he realised the answers he sought were within himself, not in external validations.
Elliott's lightbulb moment came during a hospital visit, prompting him to seek professional help and change his life path. Through therapy and self-reflection, Elliott learned to love himself and break free from addiction. His story highlights the importance of normalising mental health conversations and finding strength in vulnerability. Ron and Elliott explore the power of self-love and service to others as vital components of recovery. They remind us that life's true essence lies in being present and honest with oneself.
Ready for an engaging listen? Dive into this inspiring episode and see how Elliott's experiences can resonate with your own journey.

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