Guy Walker’s The Athlete Diaries podcast to tackle resilience, mental health
With his own professional sporting career coming to a halt prematurely, former Victorian cricketer and Melbourne AFL rookie Guy Walker has turned his attention to a new podcast, The Athlete Diaries — and he’s secured some big-name guests.
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Guy Walker has represented Big Bash League club Melbourne Renegades, Australia at under-19 level and spent time in Victoria’s squad.
The 24-year-old was also a Category B rookie before a severe nerve injury in his neck ended his AFL dream.
With his professional sporting career coming to a halt prematurely, Walker is content to move on and view sport from the other side.
He has turned his attention to a weekly podcast, titled The Athlete Diaries, which is set to launch on July 1.
Walker is looking to delve into the challenges associated with life in professional sport with his guests, putting a spotlight on mental health and resilience.
“It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a couple of years and I just thought this was a great time to do it,” Walker said.
“I just wanted to come from the angle of not only showing the journeys of some athletes but also the challenges they’ve faced along the way.
“I think everyone has their own, unique story and, in a light-hearted way, I wanted to speak to them about their experiences in sport and life in general.
“There’s a lot of laughs and stories along the way but also some good value in the way they built their resilience and thoughts on mental health. It’s just a bit more of a chat about who they are. Normally in the media, you just see stories about them playing sport.
“It’s given me a new-found purpose, just trying to speak to not only good athletes but good people.”
Test cricketer John Hastings, emerging wicketkeeper-batsman Sam Harper and star Melbourne big man Max Gawn will be among the guests in coming weeks.
But Walker is not just focusing on the sports he knows best, keen to give his audience an insight from those in other pursuits.
Essendon-born NFL punter Jordan Berry and ultra-marathon runner Lee Grantham are among others who will feature on the podcast.
Walker said he had developed a “new-found respect for other sports”.
“It’s actually given me a massive insight into them as well,” he said.
“Speaking to Lee the other day, listening to his training, I was dumbfounded by some of them things he goes through.
“It’s been a bit of a revelation for me to find out how other sports train.”
Walker never had the opportunity to realise his potential in cricket or football, with his body letting him down constantly.
He suffered two bouts of shoulder surgery, back stress fractures and a hamstring complaint during his cricket career.
His time at Melbourne ended a few months after he was involved in a collision with teammate Toby Bedford, leaving him unable to use his right arm in any meaningful capacity.
Walker said he regularly spent periods of the day “sitting in pain” but added he was making progress with the help of shoulder specialist Lyn Watson.
“If you told me 6-12 months ago that I’d have to retire and never play sport again, then I wouldn’t have believed you,” he said.
“I’m slowly getting on the mend with my shoulder. Probably six months ago, I couldn’t live properly and I was really struggling just doing day-to-day things and everything was a real challenge.
“But I’ve been fortunate enough to have some great support around and good family and friends.
“There’s a lot more people going through a harder time than I am.
“I’ve been lucky enough to live out my dream, although it didn’t work out the way I would have liked it to. I’m still extremely grateful for what I’ve had and what I’ve got.”
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