This week on Mind Your Head, I’m joined by Luke Bateman.He grew up in a small town where rugby league was religion. Everyone played it, and to make it to the NRL was the dream. Luke did just that—playing 70 games for the Raiders—but he reached a point where he realised footy wasn’t all of him. It was fulfilling a part of him, but not the whole.

Behind the scenes, he was hiding who he really was. He’d tuck fantasy novels into his footy bag and read in secret, too embarrassed to tell anyone. Years of suppressing that side of himself eventually led to severe depression and addiction. So he made the brave decision to walk away from the game and figure out who he really was beyond the jersey.

We spoke about that journey of rediscovery, his recent rise on TikTok, what sparked his love of reading, and why he’s so passionate about encouraging young boys to pick up a book. He’s now on the path to publishing his own novel—a dream that would’ve once felt impossible.

Luke’s story is a powerful reminder to stop hiding. To own what lights you up. To honour the parts of yourself you were once told to silence.

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