Transformation with Rhys Thomas

“When you start to live your life align with your values you don’t worry about the past anymore, because there is nothing in there that can bother you”

Summary of Episode:

Jenn speaks to Rhys Thomas founder of Rhys Thomas and Co-Founder of Tidy Butt. Rhys is a former Wales pro rugby player turned inspirational speaker and mentor who works on athlete transition, mental health & wellbeing, addiction & recovery, changing perspective and finding purpose! Rhys shares with us his amazing recovering journey from becoming disabled at 29 and how he navigated these physical and emotional challenges, how he overcame this dark period in his life and is now a helping others who face similar challenges in the work he does today.

My self esteem was never great, I always masked it in many ways, because of beliefs I had about my body, or my image, I was always trying to overcompensate for that, alcohol was a great tool for that as well. Once I got into the space where I was grateful, the months and years that followed, the lack of identity that formed from the lost of the game that I loved. Because my entire life that was all I ever did and thought I was good at, rugby was the sport that I played but it was not who I was

About Rhys Thomas:

Rhys Thomas was a professional Welsh rugby player until his career was cut short by a life changing injury at the age of 29. After suffering a heart attack and undergoing a quadruple bypass and multiple operations, Rhys eventually was fitted with a pump that currently helps run his heart (LVAD). From losing his career, identity, relationships, not dealing with his emotions and feelings which led him to alcoholism and many dark places, Rhys went into rehab and sought support in which he has since sobered up and turned his life around sharing his story, breaking stigmas, supporting and mentoring others to maximize their own potential. Today he works with athletes and professionals to work on topics such as addition, athlete transition, confidence building and a healthy routine with complete anonymity and total confidentiality as well as co-founding a mental health charity Tidy Butt. Tidy Butt engages with schools, business and local authorities to try and make positive lasting changes in our community.

Episode Resources:

Website / IG / Tidy Butt / Linkedin / Email / The Power of Now / 7 Habits of Highly Effective People / The Body Keeps the Score