Beyond The Back Paddock with Wally Lewis

Wally Lewis, a rugby league legend, discusses his love for sport, early influences, and memorable moments in his career. He reflects on the support of his family and the emotional experiences of playing for Queensland and Australia. Wally also shares the story behind his nickname 'King' and compares the NRL and AFL. He opens up about his battle with epilepsy and the successful surgery that changed his life. Wally then reveals his diagnosis of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and the impact it had on his memory and career. Wally discusses the impact of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) on his memory and daily life. He shares his experience transitioning from being a news presenter to retirement and the challenges he faced. Lewis talks about dealing with questions about his forgetfulness and the importance of relying on his diary and support from his partner. He emphasizes the need to seek help and support and shares his journey in managing sleep patterns and sleep apnea. Wally encourages others to speak up and ask for help, and highlights the importance of consistency, routine, and proper training in contact sports. He concludes by advocating for a safer game and the need for more research and care.   Takeaways:

• Sport is a privilege and a significant part of life that should be cherished.
• Family support and teamwork are crucial for success in sports.
• Memorable moments and achievements in a sporting career bring immense joy and pride.
• Health challenges, such as epilepsy and CTE, can have a profound impact on an athlete's life. CTE can have a significant impact on memory and daily life.
• Relying on a diary and support from loved ones can help manage forgetfulness.
• Seeking help and support is crucial in dealing with CTE and related symptoms.
• Proper sleep patterns and treatment for sleep apnea can improve overall wellbeing.
• Promoting safety, proper technique, and head positioning in contact sports is essential to reduce the risk of CTE.
• More research and care are needed to better understand and address CTE.

Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Appreciation of Sport 01:34 Early Sporting Influences 03:23 Thrilling Moments in Wally's Career 06:13 First-Grade Debut and Family Support 07:37 Playing for Queensland and Australia 09:17 Emotional Moments with Parents 10:02 Becoming the 'King' 14:02 Comparison of NRL and AFL 16:28 Challenges in Expanding Rugby League 16:32 Dealing with Epilepsy 24:01 Memory Issues and Career Impact 30:27 Unfamiliarity with CTE and Fear of the Future 32:49 Impact of CTE on Memory 33:49 Transition from News Presenter to Retirement 34:16 Dealing with Questions about Forgetfulness 35:38 Relying on Diary and Support from Others 36:55 Importance of Seeking Help and Support 39:00 Managing Sleep Patterns and Sleep Apnea 40:49 Speaking Up and Asking for Help 42:01 Importance of Consistency and Routine 43:25 Addressing Sleep Issues and Sleep Apnea Treatment 44:21 Taking Control of Health and Wellbeing 46:49 Understanding the Causes of CTE 50:19 Promoting Safety and Proper Training in Contact Sports 52:43 Importance of Correct Technique and Head Positioning 54:47 Accepting the Need for Recovery and Rest 57:43 Influence of Father in Developing Rugby League Skills 01:00:06 Learning from Past Mistakes 01:02:42 Encouraging Proper Training and Safety Measures 01:05:45 The Need for More Research and Care 01:06:37 Reflecting on Personal Experience and Changes 01:08:49 Desire for a Safer Game 01:08:57 Closing Remarks