Mark is Head of US Delivery for EPIC Risk Management, a UK-based organization focused on helping prevent gambling-related harm. Mark was a professional Rugby Union player from 1999 to 2011, playing in the UK and Ireland until a twelve-year gambling disorder eventually ruined his sports career.
Mark's lived experience and powerful story of overcoming addiction demand an audience's attention and equip Mark with the knowledge and gravitas to truly help prevent others from following the same path.
In this episode of The Freshman Foundation podcast, Mark and Mike discuss
- How he became exposed to gambling initially as a young professional rugby player in England
- How his gambling escalated after experiencing a devastating injury early in his career
- How his gambling addiction compromised not only his professional success, but his family life
Listeners will learn about how athletes’ mental health and decision-making can be severely altered when going through traumatic on-field challenges and how an addictive behavior like gambling is much more likely to fall on competitive athletes.