This Is Not Just a Military Story. It’s a Human One.

In this episode of Trauma, Training & Transformation, I sit down with military veteran Rick Clement to explore what happens after the uniform comes off, when service, injury, and identity after military life collide, and the real work of rebuilding, recovery, and purpose after service begins.

Rick reflects on joining the UK Armed Forces, the bonds formed through military camaraderie, and his Afghanistan deployment during Op Herrick, serving with the Queen’s Lancashire Regiment and the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment. Along the way, he shares a simple but powerful truth: “It’s not just about medals, it’s about the people and the journey behind them.”

The conversation moves into veterans’ mental health, rehabilitation and resilience, and the role of support systems and charities for injured veterans in helping people find their footing again after life-changing injury and trauma. Rick speaks openly about learning to rebuild his life after losing both legs, and how community, humour, movement, and small, achievable goals became foundations for independence, healing, and trauma recovery. As he puts it, “Talking is huge — connection changes everything.”

If you care about veteran stories, mental health in the armed forces, injury recovery journeys, resilience after deployment, transformation through training, healing through community, and finding identity and purpose after service, this military resilience podcast episode offers perspective, compassion, and something meaningful to carry into your own life.

💬 COMMENT: What has helped you stay resilient during a difficult season?
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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

If you would like to support my work directly, you can do so through Buy Me A Coffee. Your support helps me continue this mission to give others hope, strength, and a space toheal.

Buy Me a Coffee orSupport Me – https://buymeacoffee.com/jamesalder003

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#TraumaTrainingTransformation #RugbyLeagueLegend #SuperLeague #WiganWarriors #HullKR #CatalansDragons #MentalHealthInSport #Resilience #AthleteMindset #EliteSport #SportsPsychology #InjuryRecovery #SelfBelief #Toughness #Leadership #CoachingCulture #Identity #PerformancePsychology #HealingThroughMovement