Just Meee!
We're all celebrities in our own worlds. 'Just Meee' celebrates the extraordinary in everyday people who have managed to tough it out and be amazing. We hear from mums, dads, daughters and sons on how they've made it, and make it, through the hazards and highlights of this thing we call life. It's an honour to hear from them and we hope you enjoy their journeys...
Just Meee!
#65 Paul Pook – There’s Always Hope!
The more I listen to stories like Paul Pook’s, the more I realise how powerful it is when someone turns pain into purpose.
This deeply moving and honest conversation with Paul, CEO and founder of Tackle 360 and Tackle Suicide, is a reminder that even in our darkest moments, hope can still find a way through.
Paul shares how rugby gave him self-esteem and belonging after a difficult childhood, and how a career in elite sport eventually collided with hidden brain injuries, depression, and years of suicidal thoughts. With extraordinary courage, he speaks about living with disrupted emotional circuitry, the impact of concussion, and the long road back to himself.
What makes this episode so special is not just Paul’s vulnerability, it’s his compassion. Out of his own struggle, he created Tackle Suicide, an initiative dedicated to prevention, connection, and reminding people that they are not alone.
As Paul so beautifully shows us, healing isn’t linear. It’s about reaching in, staying connected, and believing that tomorrow can be different from today.
And when asked to describe himself in one word, Paul chose: “Grateful.”
Wow. That says everything.
Thank you, Paul, for your honesty, your courage, and for reminding us all that there is always hope.