Curiosity and facing challenge brings me fulfilment

England rugby hero Jonny Wilkinson speaks to SARA KEENAN about his mental health journey and the pressures men face in today's society

- SARA KEENAN

MAKING HISTORY: Jonny scoring the winning drop goal in the 2003 Rugby World Cup Final

ENGLAND rugby legend Jonny Wilkinson always thought his mental health issues would disappear once he'd achieved his ambitions.

"I managed to tick off pretty much all the goals that I set for myself and had this deep down belief that it would resolve all my issues, insecurity and sense of panic and fear," the 46-year-old reveals.

"It's quite a harsh coming-down-to-earth when you realise it doesn't really touch that feeling," says Jonny, who in contrast to those insecurities, became an England hero when he scored the winning drop goal in the 2003 Rugby World Cup Final.

"You think by building an identity it is going to be fulfilling, but actually you end up realising you don't want to live through that image of yourself that you created."

Reflecting on his relationship with his mental health and wellbeing now, the former England and British Lions fly-half who is widely acknowledged as one of the best rugby union players of all time, says that opening his mind is what brings him 'true fulfilment.'

"Curiosity brings me fulfilment. Facing challenge does too, or when I open my mind and truly give in and come back to real openness, like walking in a forest - it literally revolutionises my day," he says.

"I think being present would be my best start to what fulfils me because everything else melts away."

"When I was younger, I wouldn't be speaking like this. I wouldn't be entertaining a conversation like this and that was fine," Jonny admits.

"That was right for me back then," he says, explaining that his mental health is now 'deepening and revealing itself' as he continues through life's journey.