Dare to be Different with Craig White

What separates elite coaches from good ones? It’s not just technique. It’s not just presence. It’s the ability to think at a much higher level.In this episode, Craig sits down with developmental psychologist Dr. Darren Stevens for a deep dive on why most coaches unknowingly operate below the level of their clients and what it really takes operate at the next level of human development and performance.Dr Darren Steven is a University lecturer, researcher, and author, he is the founder of 'Constructed Development Theory'. A breakthrough psychological approach to adult development that focuses on self-awareness through understanding the unconscious use of mental shortcuts. His theory offers a practical process to elevate levels of thinking to promote personal growth.This is a conversation for the coaches, leaders, and self development seekers who are ready to evolve beyond their limitations and step towards the next level of human development and mastery.SHOW NOTES- Why coaches must think above the level of their clients- The critical role of pattern recognition in transformation- How traditional coaching qualifications fall short- What happens when a client outpaces the coach- How to step into “next-level” coaching that truly changes lives Season 3 is proudly sponsored by Lightside Financial Planning - a fiercely independent, Liverpool-based firm focused on clear, human conversations about money. Find out more at https://lightsidefp.co.uk/

In this episode, Craig White sits down with Leadership coach Benjamin Owen. Ben opens up about his personal journey and the patterns that have shaped him: father dynamics, self-story and self-sabotage, the role of coaches and teams, and the small practices he uses to steady himself. In this conversation we discuss:- Why hiding parts of yourself limits your power as a coach- The ripple effect of radical transparency in group settings- How to embody love and openness in professional life- Men's retreats and the tools that create transformation- Integrating leadership with emotional awareness- Creating space for others by going first- Fatherhood dynamics and the effect on leadershipSHOW NOTES– Intro & Ben’s background– Growing up & father dynamics – Self-sabotage & early struggles – Recovery, coaches & support network– Performance, teams & business – Relationships & family Season 3 is proudly sponsored by Lightside Financial Planning - a fiercely independent, Liverpool-based firm focused on clear, human conversations about money. Find out more at https://lightsidefp.co.uk/

Clarke Carlisle was once known as the “brainiest footballer” — a Premier League defender, PFA chairman, and TV pundit.But behind the public persona was a man crumbling under the weight of expectation, alcohol dependency, depression, and suicidal thoughts.In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Clarke sits down with Craig White to talk about the cost of tying your identity to performance, the masks men wear to survive, and the brutal reality of hitting rock bottom.He also shares the turning point that changed his life in 2017 - discovering cognitive analytical therapy (CAT), finding hope, and learning how to rebuild as a father, husband, and leader.If you’ve ever felt trapped by your own success, or wondered what it takes to come back from the darkest places, this conversation will hit home.Show NotesIdentity & CollapseHow injury and loss of football destroyed Clark’s sense of worthThe dangers of tying identity to performanceAlcohol, Avoidance & The MaskDrinking, gambling, gaming — and the exhausting cost of hiding strugglesThe mask men wear to surviveRock BottomDepression, hypersomnia, bottles by the bedSuicide attempts and the moment he almost didn’t surviveThe Turning Point2017: NHS psychiatric hospital and cognitive analytical therapy (CAT)How CAT therapy gave him hope and a way outPurpose & TransformationRebuilding as a husband, father, and leaderTurning his mess into his message with his wifeWhy speaking out, and knowing who to talk to, saves lives Season 3 is proudly sponsored by Lightside Financial Planning - a fiercely independent, Liverpool-based firm focused on clear, human conversations about money. Find out more at https://lightsidefp.co.uk/

Denis Betts, a rugby league legend and current coach of Wigan Warriors women's team, shares his transformative journey beyond the pitch. He opens up about letting go of anger in his twenties and the regrets surrounding his retirement fueled by clashing egos. Denis emphasizes the importance of family and the influence of strong women in shaping his leadership style. He reflects on discovering joy in life's simple moments and the true meaning of success, proving that personal fulfillment outweighs the glory of medals.

I first coached James Haskell when he was a teenager - he had big energy, big personality, and was full of potential. But beneath the surface, he was carrying self-doubt, pressure, and a deep need to prove himself.In this episode, we sit down for a raw and honest conversation about what was really going on behind the image.We talk about:The impact of being medicated from age 10 and surviving boarding schoolWhy he spent years performing, without knowing who he really wasWhat therapy helped him uncover about self-worth, confidence, and angerThe moment he saw his dad's "shadows" for the first timeWhy strength without emotional range isn't leadershipHow marriage, grief, and failure shaped the man he’s becomingIt’s not about rugby. It’s about the work men have to do when the noise stops, and the feelings finally catch up. Season 3 is proudly sponsored by Lightside Financial Planning - a fiercely independent, Liverpool-based firm focused on clear, human conversations about money. Find out more at https://lightsidefp.co.uk/

Mike Bates grew up in chaos - violence, instability and the deep belief that he wasn’t enough. That belief followed him through the military, into high-stakes leadership, and even across a solo Atlantic row.In this episode, Mike shares how childhood trauma shaped his mindset, relationships and sense of identity, and what it took to finally let go of performance and prove nothing to no one.We talk about the rope climb that changed his life, the cost of people-pleasing, and how Brazilian jiu-jitsu helped him discover real emotional strength.You’ll hear about:Growing up without his dad and how that created a fear of abandonmentUsing performance as a way to earn love and worthHis transformation from elite leadership to emotional depthWhy leadership without inner work eventually breaks downHow jiu-jitsu reveals who you really are when everything else is stripped awayThis is a story about limits, letting go, and learning to lead yourself first. Season 3 is proudly sponsored by Lightside Financial Planning - a fiercely independent, Liverpool-based firm focused on clear, human conversations about money. Find out more at https://lightsidefp.co.uk/

Kruise Leeming, a professional rugby league player and former captain of the Leeds Rhinos, engages in a heartfelt discussion about leadership shaped by personal loss. He shares how the early death of his father forged his sense of responsibility. The conversation dives into the challenges of performance-driven leadership and the costs of neglecting personal relationships. Kruise emphasizes the importance of vulnerability, reconnecting with faith, and the transformative journey from anger to empathy, ultimately striving to be a better man both on and off the pitch.

Daniel Granger looked like he had it all.A successful hairdresser. A public figure. TV appearances. A big personality. But behind the scenes? He was exhausted. Addicted. Broken.In this raw and honest episode, Dan sits down with me to share the truth behind the mask. From childhood trauma and addiction to homelessness, suicide attempts and deep-rooted mistrust of men, this is a story about surviving, and eventually healing.Dan talks about:Growing up in chaos and losing his dad at 8Finding safety in feminine spaces after being abused by the men in his lifeHow fatherhood gave him purpose—but didn’t fix the painWhat it really took to feel safe in his own skin: retreats, rituals, boxing, plant medicineAnd why he now shows up for other men the way he always wished someone had shown up for himThis isn’t a story about fame or business. It’s a story about what it takes to become the man you never had.Show NotesThe Masks We WearWhy performing success left Dan feeling more alone than everThe moment he hit rock bottom and called Craig for helpChildhood Trauma & Safety in Femininity Abuse, abandonment, and the death of his father at 8 Why Dan gravitated towards women and struggled to trust menHomeless at 13 – Finding Tribe in Unlikely Places Building a hut in a park Taken in by a Christian men’s community that changed his lifeHealing Through Brotherhood Learning to feel safe around men through retreats and boxing Grieving his father for the first time during a San Pedro ceremonyBecoming a Man You Actually Like Letting go of addiction and old identities The power of fatherhood, purpose, and helping others healDan’s Mission Today Creating safe spaces for men Why his legacy won’t be built behind a salon chair, but in the hearts of the men he reaches Season 3 is proudly sponsored by Lightside Financial Planning - a fiercely independent, Liverpool-based firm focused on clear, human conversations about money. Find out more at https://lightsidefp.co.uk/

Diego Sanchez was one of the top male models in the world — fronting major campaigns and living a life of global travel, status, and success.But at 29, something cracked.In this episode, I sit down with Diego to talk about the quiet breakdown that happened behind the success… and the journey that followed. From the catwalks of the fashion world to the forests of Uruguay, Diego now works as a somatic therapist and retreat leader helping others reconnect with their bodies and nervous systems.We explore:Letting go of ego and external validationWhat happens when the body says noThe life-changing moment Diego first discovered shiatsuTouch, trauma, and the power of nervous system workWhy so many high performers feel hollowShow Notes:Life on the CatwalkWhat modelling gave himHow success masked deeper disconnectionThe Moment Everything ChangedTurning 29 and hearing a word that cracked something openWhy shiatsu marked the start of a new lifeThe Power of TouchHow our nervous system holds emotion, memory and truthWhy talk therapy alone isn't enough for real transformationGrounding, Presence, and Somatic WisdomWhat Diego teaches today through his retreats and 1:1 workHow leaders can move from the head back into the bodyA New Definition of MasculinityLeading from softness, not forceReclaiming power without the armour Season 3 is proudly sponsored by Lightside Financial Planning - a fiercely independent, Liverpool-based firm focused on clear, human conversations about money. Find out more at https://lightsidefp.co.uk/

The diagnosis that changed everything: Keith McGuinnes on cancer, masculinity, and the power of receivingWhat happens when a fit, healthy yoga teacher steeped in Eastern practices, meditation and spiritual growth is suddenly diagnosed with cancer?In this episode, I sit down with Keith McGuinnes, founder of Awaken Intimacy and co-founder of The Open Institute, to explore how a life-threatening illness forced him to stop pushing, start receiving, and finally open to the deeper lessons of intimacy, vulnerability and connection.We talk about:The shock of receiving a cancer diagnosis at 40Why he chose chemotherapy (even as a holistic health practitioner)How the experience broke his lone wolf mentalityThe power of receiving loveWhat men are missing when they stay stuck in hyper-masculinityHis work today helping men and couples reclaim intimacy, polarity and presenceThis is a raw, real and powerful conversation about grief, grace, and growing up.Show NotesKeith’s Cancer DiagnosisWhat happened at age 40 and the symptoms he ignoredWhy chemo was the right choice (even as a long-time yogi)How the experience forced him to slow down, reflect, and receiveThe Emotional JourneyGrieving the years he couldn’t receive loveLearning to express emotion and let people inHow it shifted his relationship to his own body and energyMasculinity, Polarity and IntimacyThe trap of hyper-masculine giving and the strength in receivingLetting go of lone wolf energy in favour of connectionWhy true intimacy requires openness — not just strengthPost-Cancer PurposeMoving from survival to serviceKeith’s work through Awaken Intimacy and The Open InstituteBuilding community, relational depth, and sacred spaces in modern life Season 3 is proudly sponsored by Lightside Financial Planning - a fiercely independent, Liverpool-based firm focused on clear, human conversations about money. Find out more at https://lightsidefp.co.uk/