Podcast

794. From Discipline to Embodiment: Lessons from Sport and Men’s Work – With Craig White

In this episode, I speak with Craig White, leadership coach, men’s work facilitator, and author of Tell the Fucking Truth, about the transformative power of group work and why men can benefit so much from being seen by other men. Drawing on his experience in elite sport, embodiment, meditation, and men’s retreats, Craig shares what happens when people bring their shame, grief, anger, and vulnerability into a group where they can be witnessed without being rejected. We explore why group coaching can offer something that one-to-one work often cannot, from the permission to be fully human to the experience of belonging and being accepted by others.

We also discuss masculinity, fatherhood, and the importance of male role models and what Craig calls male blessing. Having spent years working with professional rugby players and elite athletes, he reflects on the relationship between discipline, performance, and psychological wellbeing. We explore what the personal development world can learn from sport’s commitment to practice, structure, and results, as well as the risks of becoming so focused on achievement that we lose touch with our bodies and emotions. Craig also shares his own journey from high-performance sport into yoga, meditation, shadow work, and a more holistic approach to coaching.

Finally, we consider what makes group facilitation effective, how a group develops its own culture and dynamics, and why safety is so important for meaningful transformation. We discuss the challenges men face when their sporting careers or familiar identities come to an end, the role of community in navigating life transitions, and why coaching needs to come from a genuine sense of purpose rather than simply being the next career move. This is a rich conversation for coaches, therapists, and facilitators interested in men’s development, group work, masculinity, and the conditions that allow people to change.

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