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