Leeds Rhinos star Stevie Ward is a well-being champion

He has already shown he is a winner off the pitch as well as on it with his willingness to tackle the subject of men's mental health.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Jan 2018, 04:00 BST
Stevie Ward in action for Leeds Rhinos.Stevie Ward in action for Leeds Rhinos.
Stevie Ward in action for Leeds Rhinos.

Now Leeds Rhinos player Stevie Ward is set to take his efforts to improve other people’s well-being to a whole new level.

Ward is the editor-in-chief of Mantality, an online magazine that encourages men to open up about mental health issues and live more complete lives.

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The Morley-born 24-year-old launched the venture in 2016 after struggling with depression following a series of injuries.

And today Ward spoke about his hopes for a pioneering residential ‘retreat’ that Mantality has organised at Leeds’s Weetwood Hall Hotel.

Running over three days from this Friday and with places strictly limited to 12, it is aimed at men who want to make the most of their potential by cutting free from so-called ‘limiting beliefs’.

Ward told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “We are going to be sharing our knowledge, experience, insight and tools so that they can move forward into a life fuelled by passion.

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“I want the guys attending to leave with a sense of purpose and drive and a sense of worth.

“Guys are notoriously bad at speaking about issues or problems and the retreat is something that will address that and hopefully create a real bond.”

Ward said the men were drawn from all walks of life, adding: “It’s for any guys that feel like they want to take a big first step in taking control.

“It’s not just for sports guys or guys of a particular age, it’s going to be a real mix.”

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Mantality’s profile was handed a massive boost last year when Ward was asked to speak at a Leeds Community Foundation mental health event attended by Prince Harry.

Its founder’s battling reputation was given a similar lift when he played the full 80 minutes of Leeds’s Grand Final win over Castleford Tigers in October with a dislocated shoulder.

The Weetwood Hall event is now fully booked but Ward is already planning similar gatherings in the future.

He has organised the retreat in conjunction with high performance men’s coach Craig White, with support also coming from the University of Leeds’s alumni fund and BetterYou magnesium health supplements.

The YEP has won widespread praise for its own mental health awareness campaign, called #SpeakYourMind.

Related topics:Leeds RhinosLeeds