In this powerful episode of The Talking Tradesman Podcast, Russell sits down with boxer Corrie Mustafa for a raw conversation about neurodiversity, childhood trauma, family, identity and finding purpose through boxing.Find Corrie here https://www.instagram.com/coza_boxing?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Diagnosed with ADHD, Asperger’s and Tourette’s from a young age, Corrie opens up about growing up feeling different, being heavily medicated and struggling to understand why his mind worked the way it did. He talks candidly about bullying, emotional dysregulation and the impact medication had on him, describing periods of his childhood where he felt numb and disconnected from himself.Corrie also takes us inside a complicated upbringing. From being raised partly by his grandmother in Hackney to feelings of abandonment, difficult family relationships and being made to feel like the “problem child”, he reflects on experiences that continued to affect him long into adulthood.But this is also a story about finding an outlet.Boxing gave Corrie somewhere to put the chaos.What began as a way of channelling his energy and emotions became a source of discipline, identity and purpose. We talk about his journey into the fight game, his experiences as a boxer, his ambitions for the future and the lessons the sport has taught him about himself.Corrie also explains how understanding his neurodiversity as an adult has completely changed his perspective. Traits he once saw as weaknesses have, in many ways, become some of his greatest strengths.This is a brutally open conversation about what can happen when a child who feels different grows into an adult determined to finally understand himself.In this episode:• Growing up with ADHD, Asperger’s and Tourette’s• Being heavily medicated from a young age• Bullying and feeling like an outsider• Emotional dysregulation and anger• Childhood trauma and complicated family relationships• Abandonment and the search for belonging• Finding boxing as a positive outlet• How boxing gave Corrie discipline and purpose• Understanding neurodiversity as an adult• Corrie’s boxing career and ambitions for the futureIf Corrie’s story resonates with you, share the episode with someone who needs to hear it.The Talking Tradesman Podcast explores the conversations that often go unspoken, from mental health and addiction to adversity, identity, resilience and the experiences that shape who we become.Subscribe for more honest conversations and new episodes of The Talking Tradesman Podcast.

What happens when drinking stops being something you do… and starts becoming part of who you are?In this episode of The Talking Tradesman, I sit down with Steven Mitchell to talk openly about his journey from heavy drinking and alcohol addiction to sobriety — and the impact that decision has had on his mental health, his family, his relationships and the way he now lives his life.Find Steven Here - https://www.instagram.com/alcoholfreeandme?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Growing up in Scotland and later working within the trades and construction industry, alcohol was everywhere. Drinking was normalised from a young age and became deeply embedded in the culture around him. From the age of 13 through to 35, alcohol remained a constant part of Steven's life.But eventually something had to change.Steven talks about recognising his relationship with alcohol, finding a strong enough reason to stop drinking, and why his kids became his biggest motivation for staying sober.We get into the reality of sober life — not just giving up alcohol, but learning how to socialise without drinking, finding new sources of enjoyment and dealing with the parts of your personality that previously relied on a pint.Steven has replaced drinking with running, hiking, climbing mountains and setting himself new challenges, discovering that life without alcohol doesn’t have to mean missing out. In many ways, it’s given him more.We also discuss the wider drinking culture within construction and the trades, the relationship between alcohol and mental health, and why conversations around addiction, alcoholism and substance misuse need to become more normal within our industry.This isn’t an anti-alcohol conversation.It’s an honest conversation about recognising when something is no longer serving you, understanding your own limits and having a strong enough “why” to make a change.For Steven, that why is simple: his kids.From alcoholism and addiction to sobriety, fatherhood, mental health, running, mountain hiking and learning how to be fully present again — there’s a lot in this one.🎙️ The Talking TradesmanTopics include: sobriety, sober life, alcohol addiction, alcoholism, quitting alcohol, drinking culture, construction industry, tradespeople, mental health in construction, men’s mental health, addiction recovery, fatherhood, personal growth, running, hiking, health and lifestyle change.Chapters00:00 Introduction and guest background01:32 Stevens early drinking habits and cultural influences04:16 Realisation of alcohol problems and decision to quit09:30 Balancing work, family, and drinking habits14:55 The impact of drinking culture in trades20:41 Setting goals through running and mountain climbing30:24 The importance of having a 'why' for sobriety36:33 Managing social situations and peer pressure48:59 The profound effect of sobriety on life and family55:53 The importance of responsibility and support in recovery

What drives someone to leave the comfort of home, travel to northern Nigeria, and step into one of the world’s oldest and most brutal combat sports?In this episode, I sit down with documentary filmmaker and adventurer Luke Leyland, the first white Westerner to compete in Dambe—an ancient Hausa fighting tradition that is as much about culture, history and identity as it is about combat. Rather than observing from the sidelines, Luke immersed himself in the community, trained alongside local fighters, earned their respect, and ultimately made history inside the arena. Find Luke here -https://www.instagram.com/lukeleyland1?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==But this conversation goes far beyond one fight.We explore what drives Luke’s obsession with the world’s most unusual combat sports, why he believes stepping into another culture is the greatest way to understand it, and how combat can become a bridge between people rather than something that divides them. From the brutal realities of Dambe to competing professionally in medieval armoured combat—and the extraordinary challenges he plans to take on next—Luke is constantly searching for experiences that push him physically, mentally and culturally. This is a conversation about courage, curiosity, purpose, and what happens when you’re willing to walk into the unknown.In this episode we discuss:* Becoming the first white Westerner to fight professionally in Dambe* The history and traditions behind Nigeria’s ancient combat sport* Training for a fight with no blueprint to follow* Respect, culture and breaking barriers through shared experiences* Medieval armoured combat and fighting in full steel armour* The psychology of stepping into fear* Luke’s mission to uncover and document extraordinary combat sports around the worldIf you’ve ever wondered what lies beyond mainstream sport—or what happens when someone chooses experience over comfort—this is an episode you won’t forget.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Luke Leyland and the podcast00:19 Luke's journey into combat sports and documentary filmmaking02:01 Discovery of Dambe and initial interest03:02 Getting in touch with Nigerian promoters04:20 The significance of making history in Dambe 05:03 What is Dambe and its origins07:07 The Amazon Prime documentary and cultural immersion09:38 The hand wrapping and spiritual practices in Dambe14:35 Experiencing the sport and taking hits15:39 Rules and techniques in Dambe17:10 Training and fighting strategies19:32 Why Luke chose to fight in Nigeria22:52 The mindset of destiny and conquering26:06 Overcoming fears and taking next steps28:10 Security and cultural differences in Nigeria30:24 Training in the UK for Dambe32:32 The fight with Shagon and fight analysis37:36 Lessons learned and cultural appreciation38:32 Reflections on the experience and future plans43:47 Next adventures and other unique sports59:15 Luke's advocacy for mental health and community support01:04:23 The importance of community initiatives and charities01:05:22 Closing thoughts and social media links