Ivan Cleary has faced Great coaches like Bennet and Bellamy
Great Players like DCE , Turbo , Tedeso Munster , Walsh ,
Great Critics like Gould
Great Bunker and Ref Blunders
But his most formidable opponent was him self
Mental illness is debilitating
It drains your spirit and crushes your soul
Winning one Premiership is Hard
And you need a Hard line Coach to Inspire
No Premiership Winning Coach has done done it as Hard as Ivan Cleary
They Said 4 straight Premiership wins could Never be done in the modern era
This is the Inspirational story of.... We Have the Final Say
I hope you all are Inspired by this story to Make this day and Extraordinary day
I need to harden up and get on with it': Ivan Cleary opens up on battle with mental health
Simon Brunsdon
October 15, 2024 - 8.38am
Four-time NRL premiership coach Ivan Cleary has opened up about his lengthy battle with mental health.
The 53-year-old lifts the lid on his ongoing fight in a new autobiography, where he details his issues with depression.
Cleary has cemented his named as one of rugby league's most successful coaches, having led Penrith to the last four titles.
But along the way he's been hiding a health battle that many men remain quiet about.
"I've been lucky enough to win four premierships in the last four years, but it took 26 years to achieve that as a player and a coach... there are a lot of downs as well in a long career," Cleary told Nine's Today.
"Probably in 2019 when I first went back to Panthers I definitely knew I was struggling. I'd had some previous instances that I probably didn't really realise. I suppose over time you work it out.
"Struggling to get out of bed, or not wanting to. Other things like becoming emotional for no real reason... or there obviously are reasons there.
"I was, like many men, I was holding it all in, not discussing it. I started by talking to my wife - she made it very clear she was disappointed I wasn't opening up.
"I thought I didn't want to burden her, or that people are doing it harder than me, I need to harden up and get on with it.
"It's been a long journey, but something I wanted to share because it's not all beer and skittles."
Mental health is one of the biggest and most common struggles for men in Australia.
Cleary hopes by speaking about his own battle he can encourage others to seek help.
"A lot of men everywhere are feeling pressure. It might just be to make ends meet each week," he said.
"Everyone is talking about the cost of living, and if you are providing for a family you are always under pressure in many respects.
"I saw the opportunity to try normalise it and talk about it more."
If you or anyone you know needs immediate support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via lifeline.org.au. In an emergency, call 000
Great Players like DCE , Turbo , Tedeso Munster , Walsh ,
Great Critics like Gould
Great Bunker and Ref Blunders
But his most formidable opponent was him self
Mental illness is debilitating
It drains your spirit and crushes your soul
Winning one Premiership is Hard
And you need a Hard line Coach to Inspire
No Premiership Winning Coach has done done it as Hard as Ivan Cleary
They Said 4 straight Premiership wins could Never be done in the modern era
This is the Inspirational story of.... We Have the Final Say
I hope you all are Inspired by this story to Make this day and Extraordinary day
I need to harden up and get on with it': Ivan Cleary opens up on battle with mental health
Simon Brunsdon
October 15, 2024 - 8.38am
Four-time NRL premiership coach Ivan Cleary has opened up about his lengthy battle with mental health.
The 53-year-old lifts the lid on his ongoing fight in a new autobiography, where he details his issues with depression.
Cleary has cemented his named as one of rugby league's most successful coaches, having led Penrith to the last four titles.
But along the way he's been hiding a health battle that many men remain quiet about.
"I've been lucky enough to win four premierships in the last four years, but it took 26 years to achieve that as a player and a coach... there are a lot of downs as well in a long career," Cleary told Nine's Today.
"Probably in 2019 when I first went back to Panthers I definitely knew I was struggling. I'd had some previous instances that I probably didn't really realise. I suppose over time you work it out.
"Struggling to get out of bed, or not wanting to. Other things like becoming emotional for no real reason... or there obviously are reasons there.
"I was, like many men, I was holding it all in, not discussing it. I started by talking to my wife - she made it very clear she was disappointed I wasn't opening up.
"I thought I didn't want to burden her, or that people are doing it harder than me, I need to harden up and get on with it.
"It's been a long journey, but something I wanted to share because it's not all beer and skittles."
Mental health is one of the biggest and most common struggles for men in Australia.
Cleary hopes by speaking about his own battle he can encourage others to seek help.
"A lot of men everywhere are feeling pressure. It might just be to make ends meet each week," he said.
"Everyone is talking about the cost of living, and if you are providing for a family you are always under pressure in many respects.
"I saw the opportunity to try normalise it and talk about it more."
If you or anyone you know needs immediate support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via lifeline.org.au. In an emergency, call 000