Summary of MHT podcast - Episode 3 with Ashley Rhodes

Clement Djaja
Sep 24, 2021
2 min read

Updated: Oct 1, 2021

The Men, Hardship and Triumph podcast series is a series of interviews with men as a resource for other men navigating the minefields of modern life. The men interviewed in this series talked about the difficulties of their lives, how they got through them and looking back, what strategies they used to survive the hard times.

Also a resource for men who are suffering from being separated from their children so that despite their suffering, they will still be able to do what is right by the children regardless of their circumstance as well as for people who grew up in less than ideal family conditions to not repeat the mistakes of their parents to break their intergenerational cycle of suffering.

In this episode, Clement shoots the breeze with Ash Rhodes, former Western Suburbs Magpies and Catalans Dragons great. Ash talks about growing up in a small country town, playing football in Sydney and France, and the horrific injury that almost cost him his football career before it began.

Ash also talked about his parents' influence on his character, and the importance of having honour and integrity in everything that he does.

A summary of his strategies and what he learnt are listed below;

1. to not take what you have for granted

2. to not dwell on your losses

3. to adapt to changes in your life

4. to always be hopeful

5. to have a “I’ll prove you wrong” attitude when told he couldn’t do something

6. to use your support network and take time to heal or grieve when life gets you down, but know when to get back up and fight again

7. to have a sense of honour and integrity

8. to not cut corners no matter how hard a situation is

9. to not become cynical or pessimistic after failures

10. to always be willing to get up and try again