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Ryan Oldfield cried nearly every day at school, but it wasn’t until his twenties that he understood he had been living with anxiety since childhood.
After becoming increasingly isolated while working from home, a panic attack in Tesco made Ryan realise he needed help. Football became a vital part of managing his mental health and eventually inspired him to establish Mental Health FC.
In this episode, Ryan joins Joe Edwards to discuss his experience with social anxiety and generalised anxiety disorder, the importance of seeking support and how gradually facing difficult situations helped him rebuild his confidence.
Ryan also shares how a Facebook post looking for people to join a casual five-a-side game grew into Mental Health FC, which now runs seven relaxed football sessions across Doncaster, Sheffield and Scunthorpe.
They discuss:
Ryan’s experience of anxiety from nursery into adulthood
The panic attack that led him to seek help
How football supported his mental health
Why relaxed, pressure-free sessions matter
Using exposure therapy to manage anxiety
Building confidence through networking
Mental Health FC’s plans to support more communities
Creating accessible football experiences for families
The importance of time, patience and supportive people
The AGB Show is hosted by Joe Edwards, produced by ODGE MEDIA and sponsored by Intec Office Systems.
Follow and find out more:
Mental Health FC https://www.mentalhealthfc.org/
ODGE MEDIA https://odgemedia.com/
Intec Office Systems https://intecoffice.co.uk/
About Going Blind on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aboutgoingblind/
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