Teenage Wellness Through Sport: A 17-Year-Old's Honest Mental Health Strategies with Beau

Discover profound wellness wisdom from an unexpected source - a 17-year-old who's mastered using sport for genuine mental health support. Join me for a rare and precious conversation with Beau, who shares how watching and playing sport has become his primary strategy for managing stress, building connections, and maintaining emotional wellbeing.

What You'll Experience:

• How sport provides "mental space" beyond just physical benefits
• Why meaningful conversations happen more naturally during activity
• Real strategies for using sport to manage exam stress and life pressures
• The social wellness benefits of watching games and traveling to matches
• Honest insights about what works (and what doesn't) for teenage mental health
• How taking breaks from stress actually helps your brain find solutions

Episode Highlights:

• Beau's journey from mum-encouraged participation to genuine wellness practice
• Why golf offers different benefits than team sports like football and rugby
• How sport creates safe spaces for opening up with friends
• The mental clarity that comes from stepping away from homework pressure
• Why fresh air and movement beat sitting indoors for problem-solving
• His refreshingly honest take on meditation and what doesn't work for him

Perfect for parents wanting to understand teenage wellness, young people seeking accessible mental health strategies, or anyone curious about how simple practices can provide profound support. Beau's emotional intelligence and authentic voice remind us that wisdom comes from many sources - and sometimes the most effective wellness tools are the most accessible ones.

Timestamps: 

00:00 Introduction - Why this conversation matters 

03:00 How Beau got into sport (spoiler: it started with mum!) 

05:00 When he realised sport was more than just physical activity 

05:30 Using football breaks during intense GCSE revision 

06:00 Why conversations flow better during activity than face-to-face 

07:00 Watching sport and traveling to away games 

09:00 The stress relief cycle: before, during, and after sport 

11:00 His message to parents and young people 

12:00 Fresh air vs staying indoors - the mental difference 

14:00 School support systems and Duke of Edinburgh Award 

16:00 What doesn't work: his honest take on meditation 

18:00 Looking ahead to A-levels and university pressure 1

9:00 African drumming and trying new things 

21:00 Final thoughts and encouragement

In a world where young men's mental health often goes unnoticed until crisis point, this conversation offers hope, practical strategies, and the importance of listening to younger voices.

Thanks for listening.