Under the Surface

We all have our own story to tell and you never know what is going on in someone's life #UnderTheSurface.

West Ham United's Michail Antonio is the latest guest on the Under the Surface podcast, hosted by Original Penguin and suicide prevention charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably). The podcast brings people together from the world of sport and entertainment—uncovering their untold stories and challenging the stigma surrounding mental health.

Michail joined hosts Smithy (Sky Sports) and ex-footballer Marvin Sordell to share his story on rejection, resilience and the impact high-level football has had on his own mental health.

West Ham's all-time Premier League leading scorer discussed how difficulties during the start of his Premier League career led him to depression and he strongly considered walking away from the game. He goes on to discuss social media triggers and bouncing back from last season's semi-final disappointment.
To watch along: https://www.originalpenguin.co.uk/pages/calm-underthesurface

You never know what is going on in someone's life #UnderTheSurface. Back for Series 2, the podcast with Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) aims to drive conversations and challenge the stigma surrounding mental health. Listen to hosts, 'Smithy' (Sky Sports) and co-host, ex-player Marvin Sordell speak to guests from the world of sport, as they open up about the battles they have kept #UnderTheSurface.

Episode One of the new series features Jonathan Woodgate. The ex-Real Madrid, Leeds, Spurs and Newcastle player discusses his career setbacks and how he moved on from those low points. Covering everything from his injury troubles at Madrid, to his dismissal from Middlesbrough and how online trolls affected his confidence.

To watch along: https://www.originalpenguin.co.uk/pages/calm-underthesurface

For the third episode of Season 4, host Smithy is joined by Sir Bradley Wiggins, the renowned British cyclist celebrated for world titles, eight Olympic medals, and a historic Tour de France victory.
Following our enlightening episode with Emmett J. Scanlan in Chester, our journey now takes us to Herne Hill Velodrome in South London, a place profoundly meaningful to Sir Bradley—where his love for cycling began.
Despite his incredible achievements on the track, Sir Bradley opens up about his personal struggles, including the challenges of his mental health. He recounts how cycling was both his escape and passion from a young age.
Sir Bradley candidly shares his darkest moments, including his experience of being sexually abused by his first coach at 13 and the deep-seated issues of self-worth that followed. He reflects on how these experiences impacted his life and mental health, emphasising the importance of addressing such traumas openly to help others who might be silently suffering.
He also delves into the complex relationship with his father, Gary Wiggins, whose absence and legacy profoundly influenced his path in cycling. Sir Bradley explains how his father’s shadow both drove and haunted him, shaping his pursuit of success and leaving a lasting impact on his mental health and self-identity.
In his professional life, Sir Bradley faced significant obstacles, including periods of intense self-doubt and the immense pressure of public expectation. Yet, his relentless determination and love for cycling propelled him forward. He speaks about pivotal moments in his career, highlighting how embracing every opportunity, no matter the scale, contributed to his enduring success.
Join us as we go #UnderTheSurface with Sir Bradley Wiggins.

For the second episode of Season 4, host Smithy is joined by Emmett J. Scanlan, the acclaimed Irish actor known for his roles in Kin, Peaky Blinders, and Fool Me Once. Following our inspiring first episode with Tubes at his home golf course, our journey now takes us to a place deeply significant to Emmett—Chester, his home for the last decade where he's built a family and a life away from the limelight.

Despite his success on screen, Emmett opens up about his personal battles, including the challenges of his mental health. He shares how acting became his escape and passion from a young age. This passion led him to a career where he could immerse himself in various characters, though it wasn't always an easy journey.

Emmett candidly discusses the darker times, including a period of depression and a devastating personal loss when his wife suffered a miscarriage. He also reflects on the profound impact of losing a close friend to suicide, sharing how these experiences shaped his perspective on life and mental health. Emmett emphasises the importance of talking about such experiences, revealing the widespread yet often silent suffering many go through.

In his professional life, Emmett faced significant challenges, including moments of self-doubt and rejection. However, his determination and love for storytelling saw him through. He speaks about the turning point in his career, when saying "yes" to every opportunity, no matter how small, led to a series of roles that revitalised his confidence and career trajectory.

Join us as we go #UnderTheSurface with Emmett J. Scanlan for an intimate, inspiring discussion about mental health, resilience, and the journey through personal and professional challenges.

In this latest episode of Under The Surface, host Smithy and co-host Leon McKenzie are joined by Danny Cipriani, the English rugby union player who bravely discusses his lifelong struggles with acceptance and mental health.

Danny opens up about the difficulties surrounding his upbringing and troublesome teenage years where he felt like an outsider in the rugby world. He shares his battles with depression, suicidal thoughts and the tragic loss of close friend Caroline Flack.

Despite his talents on the pitch, Danny faced constant scrutiny from the media and public, which took a major toll on his mental health. However, through therapy and self-work, he has found greater acceptance and inner peace.

Danny hopes that by sharing his deeply personal story, he can help end the stigma around men's mental health and inspire others who may be silently suffering to reach out for support.

Previous episodes have included BAFTA-winning comedian Romesh Ranganathan, footballers Jack Wilshere and Andros Townsend, reality stars Jack Fincham and Ashley Cain, who have all openly discussed their mental health struggles.