This week’s guest on Behind The Roar is two times premiership winner and Kiwi international, Paul Whatuira.
We caught up with the former Wests Tigers centre at the team hotel in Hamilton ahead of last Saturday’s match against the Warriors.
Episode 26 is available on Apple, Spotify and YouTube.
Paul talks about the highs and lows in his football career, and in life. He recalls the ‘key ingredients’ that took Wests Tigers all the way in 2005 and offers sage advice to others who might be starting out on their rugby league journey.
After battling depression for many years, Paul these days is doing some great work helping others in the health and wellbeing space.
Recorded in the hotel lobby just outside the team rec room, there was always the risk of passers-by dropping in on the action, and they did. Cameo appearances from the likes of Robbie Farah, Luke Brooks, David Furner, and others.
Whatuira played 132 games over nine seasons, making his NRL debut with Auckland Warriors in 2000.
He had an immediate impact on the teams he played with, winning a premiership with the Panthers in his second year at the club, and then another premiership in 2005 in his very first season at Wests Tigers.
After three seasons with Wests Tigers, Paul made the decision to move to the UK Super League, and that’s when his life as she knew it began to fall apart.
He reveals how, although still only 26 years of age, his body was starting to break down. Niggling injuries became more frequent. And so it was time to go and earn an income in an environment that lacked the consistent intensity of the NRL.
Like he’d done at the Panthers and Wests Tigers, Paul made an immediate impact in his first season with Huddersfield Giants in 2008. But in 2009, his life hit rock bottom.
Paul talks openly about his troubled journey that saw him spiral into depression, numbed by medication for about five years. About the psychotic episodes that landed him in a mental health facility for several weeks.
Paul’s story is about an elite athlete who emerges from a place of darkness to shine the light on mental wellbeing.
As Paul explains, his former Wests Tigers teammates played an important role in his road to recovery.
“A big part of my recovery was reconnecting with my ’05 crew about a decade ago,” he said.
"Family comes first, and they are family to me.
When you are mentally unwell, you’ve got to drop your guard and let people in.
Paul Whatuira
"Reconnecting with my former teammates was a massive healing for me and I value those moments immensely.
From experience, comes learning, and Paul is quick to offer advice an wellbeing.
“Life is precious. Life is short. Practice gratitude every day,” said Whatuira.
"Tomorrow is not guaranteed, so the most important time in your life is now.
"Stay grounded, stay humble and give it your all.”
All that and more in this week's edition of Behind The Roar.
