This isn’t just a rugby league conversation.
It’s a story about identity, pain, resilience, and the fight that never leaves you.

In this episode of Trauma, Training and Transformation, Dr James Alder sits down with rugby league legend Micky Mcilorum for a raw, powerful, and deeply human conversation about life inside elite professional sport, and the cost of surviving it.

From his upbringing and the roots of his toughness, to the emotional and psychological toll of injury, criticism, and constant pressure, Micky opens up about the realities fans rarely see. Drawing on his journey across Super League, including his time with Wigan Warriors, Hull KR, and Catalans Dragons, this episode explores how elite sport shapes identity, tests self-belief, and forces adaptation without losing core values.

Together, James and Micky unpack resilience in rugby league, mental health in sport, the evolution of coaching cultures, and what true toughness really means. This is not about highlight reels, it’s about effort, commitment, and the inner strength built through struggle.

Whether you’re an athlete, coach, veteran, or someone navigating your own personal battles, this episode is a reminder that the fighter within doesn’t fade, it grows stronger through adversity.

Key themes explored:
• Resilience and identity in professional rugby league
• The psychological impact of injury and setbacks
• Self-belief, discipline, and core values
• Mental health awareness in elite sport
• Toughness beyond physicality
• Coaching, leadership, and cultural change
• Growth through struggle and adversity

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