Wake up: Stop Numbing, Start Living! with Patrick Sperry

Mid-life Men: the mental health podcast

In this powerful episode, Patrick Sperry reflects on how perfectionism created an endless cycle of striving and dissatisfaction. From giving up a promising professional soccer career to chasing a dream of being a rock star in Hollywood (and a stint as David Beckham’s body double) his journey took him through heartache, creative highs, and personal reckoning. Along the way, yoga became a lifeline - initially a form of escape but ultimately a path to inner alchemy and profound self-discovery. Through the physical and spiritual practices of yoga, Patrick found new ways to engage with life, shifting from hyper-competitiveness to compassionate connection.

This episode also dives into the critical need for male role models and the importance of community as medicine. Our guest explores how modern isolation has fractured traditional spaces for emotional connection, urging men to step out of their comfort zones and into circles of vulnerability, growth, and shared purpose. Whether through yoga, meaningful conversations, or communal activities, he shares how embracing discomfort is key to integrating fragmented identities and discovering a deeper sense of belonging which he teaches today through his coaching and the Flourish Well-Being organisation.

If you’ve ever felt trapped by societal expectations, perfectionism, or a longing for something more, this episode offers a roadmap to rediscovering your authentic self. Join us for a conversation that bridges competition and compassion, ambition and acceptance, and isolation and connection - ultimately reminding us all of the transformative power of presence and community.

If you want to find out more about Patrick as a yoga, meditation and well-being coach ‘A path to a life you love’ visit https://www.patsperrylove.com/.

To find out more about Flourish Well-Being retreats and other programmes Patrick mentions then visit https://www.peaceloveflourish.com/.