From Setback to Comeback: Grit, Growth and Mental Fitness with Barrie McDermott, Adrian Morley & Shaun Lunt

Content Advisory: This episode contains discussions about mental health. Please be advised and listen with caution. If you are affected by any issues covered in today’s episode, we encourage you to reach out to Samaritans on 116123 (UK) or you can reach them online.

We’re back in the Changing Rooms with Barrie McDermott, Adrian Morley and Shaun Lunt, tackling what happens when the game — and life — really starts to test you.

This week, the conversation turns to setbacks. The moments when pushing your limits comes at a cost — confidence takes a hit, and the path forward suddenly isn’t clear.

From brutal hits and long rehab days to career crossroads, moving leagues, losing status, and rebuilding belief, the lads share honest stories about what it takes to come back when things don’t go to plan. They talk fear, self-doubt, mental fitness, and the quiet resilience needed to keep showing up when no one’s clapping.

But this isn’t just about rugby. The discussion opens up to anyone facing a setback — illness, redundancy, career change, or a moment where life knocks the wind out of you. How do you find the courage to keep going? Who helps you through the low points? And how do small habits, routines, and mindset shifts add up to real progress over time?

The takeaway?
Setbacks are inevitable — but they don’t define you. Pushing your limits isn’t just about how far you can go — it’s about how you respond when you’re forced to slow down, reset, and start again. Growth comes from grit, honesty, support, and a willingness to learn again. Whether you’re fighting your way back onto the pitch or finding your feet somewhere new, the comeback isn’t about being perfect. It’s about staying in the fight, one step at a time.