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Real Talk: Natasha Jonas, Nedum Onuoha, Henry Slade and other world-class athletes open up to Sky Sports

Starting on March 19, Sky Sports News is launching a new series that will explore meaningful and inspiring conversations around six key topics that deserve more attention; world-class athletes like Natasha Jonas and Henry Slade open up in a way that you haven't seen before

Tuesday 26 March 2024 07:24, UK

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Introducing Sky Sports' new series 'Real Talk' in which athletes share their inspirational stories on issues of health, mental wellbeing and personal safety

It's time to get real. For too long important conversations in sport have been avoided – but not anymore.

Sky Sports News has launched a new series called Real Talk to get to the heart of issues that are not being discussed enough.

Real Talk will bring you meaningful and inspiring conversations around six key topics that deserve more attention. Through these personal and emotional chats, we hope to help you understand the struggles of elite athletes as they endure everyday, human battles while trying to be world-class performers.

Episode one focuses on grief, with former Premier League footballer Nedum Onuoha, current England scrum-half Claudia MacDonald and former Commonwealth and British boxing champion Callum Johnson all reflecting on dealing with losing a loved one.

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Former Manchester City player Nedum Onuoha opens up on the grief of losing his mother during his playing career and admits he lost the 'best version' of himself

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England and Exeter Chiefs player Claudia MacDonald opens up on losing her mother Jane, and how she continues her legacy in every try she scores

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2010 Commonwealth Games champion boxer Callum Johnson opens up on the loss of his father and how his grief has both 'motivated' and 'crippled' him in his career
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England's Henry Slade is tackled by Italy's Tommaso Menoncello during the Guinness Six Nations match at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy. Picture date: Saturday February 3, 2024.
Image: England's Henry Slade talks about how obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has impacted his career

Episode two (March 26) focuses on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and whether that can elevate or hinder athletic performance, with England rugby international Henry Slade, UFC fighter Nathaniel Wood and Olympic swimming champion, Freya Anderson.

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Speaking on the Sky Sports Real Talk podcast, England and Exeter Chiefs player Henry Slade opens up about having obsessive compulsive disorder and how he blamed his leg injury on tying his laces incorrectly.

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Speaking on the Sky Sports Real Talk podcast, MMA fighter Nathaniel Wood opens up about his OCD and how he believes he lost out on a lot of happiness in his childhood due to the condition.

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Speaking on the Sky Sports Real Talk podcast, British swimmer Freya Anderson opens up about her OCD diagnosis and how it impacted her performance in the water.

Episode three (April 2) sees Chelsea manager Emma Hayes, Olympic gymnast Laura Gallagher Cox and former England Netball star Eboni Usoro-Brown discuss whether we understand enough about pelvic floor health in sport.

Episode four (April 9) looks at the challenges around retirement with two-time Olympic champion Victoria Pendleton, former footballer turned motivational speaker Joe Thompson and Team GB archer and author Danielle Brown.

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In episode five (April 16) we speak to Olympic bronze medallist and former Gladiator, Jennifer Stoute, middle-distance runner Sarah McDonald and fitness influencer Hayley Madigan to discuss what more sport can do around athlete safety - especially for females at all levels.

Image: Natasha Jonas opens up about the difficulty of being an athlete-mum

The sixth and final episode (April 23) unpacks the challenge of being an athlete and a mum, with two-weight world boxing champion Natasha Jonas, Paralympian Sarah Storey and Pakistan's leading one-day run scorer, Bismah Maroof.

Follow Real Talk on Sky Sports News' digital and social channels and watch the extended interviews on Sky Sports News, YouTube and on demand.

You can also download the podcast on Spotify and Apple, where you can listen to all the interviews and take a closer look at the meaningful conversations with an expert who helps give us a better understanding of these topics, while offering support and guidance.

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