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On The Mend

High Performance

98 episodes

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.

More about the show

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.

Episodes page 2 of 2

  1. The Trigger Behind Roxie Nafousi’s Manifestation Journey

    · 42 min · S3 E20 · Explicit

    Roxie Nafousi joins Matt for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about addiction, healing, and the long journey toward self-worth. She speaks candidly about how her search for confidence and belonging led her…

  2. The Night Scott Thomas Knew He Had to Change

    · 49 min · S3 E19 · Explicit

    This week’s guest is Scott Thomas, whose journey to sobriety has become a powerful example of how one person’s change can transform the lives of many. By being open about his struggles and creating a safe space for…

  3. How One Night at Home Changed Russell Kane's Life Forever

    · 1 h 06 min · S3 E18 · Explicit

    This week’s guest is Russell Kane, the award-winning comedian and writer whose life and work span far beyond the stereotypes people often place on him. Despite growing up with expectations about who he should be and…

  4. Photos of Me I DON’T Remember: Matt Willis Goes Down Memory Lane

    · 43 min · S3 E17 · Explicit

    In this solo episode, Matt Willis opens up about his past and the years spent in active addiction. He talks candidly about the contrast between public success and private struggle, the exhausting effort of keeping up…

  5. Rosie Jones: Being Disabled, Ridiculed and Attacked

    · 1 h 05 min · S3 E16 · Explicit

    Comedian, writer and actress, Rosie Jones, brings her trademark honesty, humour, and heart to a conversation about difference, self-acceptance, and finding strength in vulnerability. She talks openly about what it…

  6. Backstage with Busted vs McFly: Harry, Dougie & Matt Get Deep on Tour

    · 41 min · S3 E15 · Explicit

    Recorded literally backstage, Matt Willis sits down with Harry Judd and Dougie Poynter for a candid, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt conversation about life on the road, friendship, and everything in between.…

  7. Calum Scott on Coming Out, Depression & Finding Peace

    · 1 h 04 min · S3 E14 · Explicit

    Calum Scott joins Matt for a moving and honest conversation about the battles that often stay hidden behind success. From depression and body dysmorphia to self-acceptance and sexuality, Calum opens up about the…

  8. Matt Willis: Taking Life In Recovery 1 Day at a Time

    · 26 min · S3 E13 · Explicit

    In this solo episode, Matt Willis explores what it really means to control your own narrative. He opens up about moments in his life when others tried to define him, through fame, addiction, or public perception, and…

  9. Richard Madeley: How I SURVIVED the Headlines, Grief & a Career in TV

    · 44 min · S3 E12 · Explicit

    This week’s guest is Richard Madeley, the broadcaster and writer whose career has spanned decades of conversations with people from all walks of life. Behind the fame and public recognition, Richard has faced his own…

  10. How to Make Social Media Work for You

    · 23 min · S3 E11

    Matt Willis goes beyond the surface of social media in this solo episode. He shares his honest experiences with the pressures, comparisons, and negativity that online life can bring, and how these challenges have…

  11. How to Train your Mind to Achieve Anything | Maya Raichoora Reveals the Mental Science

    · 57 min · S3 E10

    Author and mindset coach Maya Raichoora joins Matt to unpack the power of self-image, mindset, and transformation. She reveals why success often crumbles without inner change, and how becoming the person who deserves…

  12. What’s Really Going On With the Busted vs McFly Tour | Matt Willis

    · 31 min · S3 E9

    In this solo episode, Matt Willis takes listeners behind the scenes of life on tour in “Backstage Battle.” Beyond the excitement of performing, he opens up about the real challenges he faces, managing his mental…

  13. The Side of Larry Lamb You’ve Never Seen: Life Beyond Gavin & Stacey

    · 43 min · S3 E8

    This week’s guest is Larry Lamb, the beloved actor and storyteller who brings a lifetime of wisdom to the table. Known for his warmth and humor, Larry reflects on aging, resilience, and the simple yet powerful ways to…

  14. "I Needed To Recover First To Become A Good Dad" | Matt Willis on Parenting & the Shame of Addiction

    · 28 min · S3 E7

    In this solo episode, Matt Willis reflects on parenting through the lens of recovery in “The Parent I’m Trying To Be.” With honesty and vulnerability, he shares how fatherhood has shaped his growth, from owning up to…

  15. Sum 41's Deryck Whibley: Talking Sobriety After My Near Death Experience | EXCLUSIVE

    · 53 min · S3 E6

    Deryck Whibley joins Matt for a powerful and unfiltered conversation about addiction, recovery, and the lessons hidden in life’s hardest moments. The singer-songwriter opens up about why he chose to write his book…

  16. Matt Willis: Fearing Failure, Self-Sabotage and Relapse

    · 18 min · S3 E5

    What if failure was the key to success? In this solo episode, Matt Willis opens up about his own fear of failure, from the nerves of launching a new season to the deeper anxieties that have shaped his life. Drawing on…

  17. What Happens When Success Becomes Your Addiction? Gary Stevenson’s Story

    · 52 min · S3 E4

    This week's guest is Gary Stevenson, a former top trader who knows firsthand what happens when success becomes an addiction. At the height of his career, he was winning big, but behind the scenes, his health,…

  18. What Love Is Blind Taught Matt Willis About Connection and the Truth About Busted

    · 24 min · S3 E3

    In this raw solo episode, Matt Willis shares the untold side of his journey, from Busted fame to hitting rock bottom, and why real recovery only began when he stopped trying to do it alone. Matt opens up about the…

  19. Why I Had to Stop Everything: Matt Willis on Burnout & Growth

    · 28 min · S3 E1 · Explicit

    We’re back! In this brand new season of On The Mend, Matt Willis opens up about what he’s been up to recently, alongside his struggles with overwhelm and the ongoing work of recovery. He shares what’s been helping,…

  20. Jordan Stephens on ADHD, Sobriety and Relearning Healthy Relationships

    · 57 min · S2 E19 · Explicit

    This week’s guest is the musician, actor, writer, and podcaster Jordan Stephens. Jordan’s probably best known for Rizzle Kicks, the chart-topping duo he formed with his friend Harley Alexander-Sule, back in 2008.…

  21. Why I Took a Break From Social Media (Live Q&A)

    · 29 min · S2 E18

    Matt is back with another social media special episode! Since so many of you resonated with Part 1 (episode: My Honest Thoughts On Social Media) we're bringing you a Part 2, where Matt is diving deeper into his…

  22. Building a Mental Health Movement with Dan Murray-Serter

    · 1 h 10 min · S2 E17 · Explicit

    This week’s guest is the entrepreneur and mental health advocate Dan Murray-Serter. Dan has ten years’ experience of building up businesses but, also, of winding them down. He’s spoken publicly about his failures, as…

  23. My Honest Thoughts on Social Media & Recovery

    · 21 min · S2 E16

    The secret is out… Matt Willis and his wife, Emma, are currently on a 3-week long social media break. They’re doing this alongside a group of year 8 students, whose experiment will be the star of an upcoming Channel 4…

  24. Gabby Logan on Grief, Competitiveness, and Finding Peace in Middle Age

    · 27 min · S2 E15 · Explicit

    Gabby was the first female football anchor on terrestrial television and she’s perfected the art of asking great questions, while covering a wide range of international sporting events. In this episode, Matt turns the…

  25. 3 Books That Changed My Recovery

    · 23 min · S2 E14

    This week Matt is sharing the top 3 books that have shaped his life and his journey as a recovered addict. He’ll be breaking down exactly why they mean so much to him – and why you should consider checking them out…

  26. What We Get Wrong About Addiction and the War on Drugs with Johann Hari

    · 28 min · S2 E13 · Explicit

    This week’s guest is Johann Hari, whose books and TED Talks on depression, anxiety, and addiction have reached millions of people. His 2015 talk Everything You Think You Know About Addiction Is Wrong had a huge impact…

  27. On Love: What Recovery Taught Me

    · 31 min · S2 E12 · Explicit

    This week, Matt is opening up about a topic that makes many of us uncomfortable… love! Matt and his wife, broadcaster Emma Willis, have been going strong for 20 years. They’ve been through high, lows and all sorts of…

  28. Dr David Spiegel on Hypnosis, Healing, and Regaining Control

    · 54 min · S2 E11 · Explicit

    Matt dives into the world of hypnosis with the psychiatrist Dr David Spiegel. In this episode, Matt finds out just how susceptible he is to hypnosis, with results that truly blow him away, and he gets some practical…

  29. Relapse, Busted and Recovery Real Talk - Your Questions Answered

    · 38 min · S2 E10 · Explicit

    Matt is back in the hot seat for our second Q and A episode!We loved our first Q and A episode so much that we're back with a new round of questions from some of our listeners. Get ready to hear about a range of…

  30. Embracing Differences and Finding Power in Visibility with Nikki Lilly

    · 20 min · S2 E9 · Explicit

    Matt chats to the BAFTA Award-winning YouTube star, and campaigner, Nikki Lilly. At the age of six, Nikki was diagnosed with a high flow craniofacial AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation). A rare condition which causes…

  31. The Biggest Lessons My Guests Have Taught Me

    · 28 min · S2 E8

    We’re 8 episodes into series 2 of On The Mend… and what a journey it’s been so far! It’s about time we looked back on some of our best moments. So today, Matt is reflecting on the lessons his recent guests have taught…

  32. My Psychiatrist: Adult ADHD, and How To Thrive (Dr James Kustow)

    · 1 h 16 min · S2 E7 · Explicit

    Matt speaks to his very own psychiatrist, Dr James Kustow, about adult ADHD. James studied medicine, before training in psychiatry. He’s now a consultant who specialises in ADHD and has trained further in…

  33. How To Deal With Criticism From the People Closest to You

    · 25 min · S2 E6 · Explicit

    This week we're getting personal! Matt is upping the vulnerability scale, as he lets the closest people in his life – colleagues, friends, and even his wife – fire a round of constructive criticism his way. Getting…

  34. Ruby Wax: Depression Isn't Just a Bad Day

    · 54 min · S2 E5 · Explicit

    This week’s guest is Ruby Wax. A comedian, writer, and mental health advocate, who has wisdom to spare. When she was younger, Ruby often felt lonely - like she didn’t fit in - and she turned to comedy. A reinvention…

  35. Your Recovery Questions Answered (And What I've Learned)

    · 46 min · S2 E4

    Matt is putting himself in the hot seat for today’s episode! We’ve rounded up some of your most pressing questions for an honest, judgment-free Q and A session, where Matt shares some of his own personal experiences in…

  36. Andy Ramage on Motivation, Sobriety, and the Joy of a Clear Mind

    · 1 h 03 min · S2 E3 · Explicit

    Matt meets Andy Ramage, a footballer who became a commodities broker, when injury ended his career. While Andy's career was a success, something was missing. He felt broken. And so ten years ago, he embarked on a…

  37. What I Actually Do for My Mental Health

    · 30 min · S2 E2

    Matt is braving it for a solo episode this week! He’s stepping out of his comfort zone for a candid chat about a big part of any addict’s recovery: mental health. It’s a topic lots of our listeners have been asking…

  38. Vicky Pattison on Anxiety, Alcohol, and Self-Advocacy

    · 1 h 02 min · S2 E1 · Explicit

    Matt Willis returns for a second series of On The Mend. His first guest is Vicky Pattison, a Jungle Queen, whose feet haven’t touched the ground since she first appeared on our screens in 2011. Geordie Shore was a…

  39. Lauren Mahon on Cancer, Identity and Speaking the Unspeakable

    · 51 min · S1 E9

    Matt Willis is joined by podcaster, charity founder and cancer activist, Lauren Mahon (and her dog, Ray). Lozza, as she likes to be called, talks to Matt about breaking the taboos around cancer, talking more openly…

  40. Dr Rangan Chatterjee: The Four Pillars You Need

    · 1 h 03 min · S1 E8

    On our latest episode, Matt Willis visits Dr Rangan Chatterjee at his home for an in-depth chat about mental health and wellbeing. Rangan has practiced medicine for over 20 years and believes that good health is…

  41. Tyrone Brennand: From Struggle to Strength Through Yoga and Purpose

    · 56 min · S1 E7

    This week, Matt welcomes author, entrepreneur motivational speaker and personal trainer Tyrone Brennand to the studio. Tyrone is the founder of Be The Fittest, a personal training company in London, and has looked to…

  42. Raphael Rowe: Finding Light After 12 Years of Darkness

    · 57 min · S1 E6

    On this week's episode of On The Mend, Matt is joined by the journalist, presenter, author and podcaster Raphael Rowe. Raphael was wrongly convicted of a crime in the late 1980s, and spent 12 years in prison. During…

  43. Rylan Clark on Heartbreak and Rebuilding a Life in Public

    · 45 min · S1 E5

    This week's guest is the TV and Radio presenter, Rylan Clark. He joins Matt in the studio to talk about the brilliant highs and crushing lows he's experienced in his life recently. After exploding on to our TV screens…

  44. Liz Karter: Understanding the Hidden Grip of Gambling Addiction

    · 59 min · S1 E4

    In this episode Matt welcomes gambling addiction expert, Liz Karter, to the studio. Liz's area of specialisation is gambling addiction. This includes all of its causes and consequences which she has found to be…

  45. DJ Fat Tony on Sobriety & Ego

    · 1 h 01 min · S1 E3

    This week, Matt welcomes the DJ and author Fat Tony to the studio. Tony has had an incredible career, spanning nearly four decades, he has had his say in paving the way for the UK’s current music scene. He held a…

  46. Bryony Gordon on OCD, Alcohol, and the Long Walk to Wellness

    · 50 min · S1 E2

    This week, Matt is joined by journalist, columnist, writer and mental health ambassador, Bryony Gordon. Bryony is full of life and joy and brings such positive energy with her wherever she goes - including this…

  47. McFly's Dougie Poynter Opens Up on his Addiction, and Reconnecting With Self

    · 55 min · S1 E1

    For the first episode of On The Mend, Matt Willis welcomes his friend and fellow musician, Dougie Poynter, to the studio. In this candid chat, the McFly bassist opens up about his drug addiction and his recovery,…

  48. On The Mend (Coming Soon)

    · 1:30

    On The Mend - a brand new podcast hosted by Matt Willis - launches soon! Subscribe and follow now so you don't miss an episode... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See…

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