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In 2019, former Welsh rugby captain Gareth Thomas publicly disclosed his HIV status. Join Gareth and host Craig Doyle as they talk about how Gareth lives with the virus, how others have treated him, and the stigma around HIV. Gareth and Craig will be joined by others from the world of sport to delve into how they have tackled stigma, racism, homophobia and misunderstanding in their own lives. The Tackle HIV campaign is supported and funded by ViiV Healthcare.
tacklehiv.org/

Talking Stigma with Gareth Thomas

Tackle HIV
Mental Health
21 episodes
S1 Ep15: Episode 11: Tackling Stigma with Keegan Hirst
In this episode of the Talking Stigma podcast Gareth Thomas is joined by former Rugby League player Keegan Hirst. Keegan shares his story and journey regarding his sexuality, what it was like being the first openly gay rugby league player and how his experiences have shaped who he is today. We hear about Keegan’s transition from his very successful sports career to being a prominent advocate fo...
52m • Jun 09
52m
13: Episode 10: Tackling Stigma with Vicky Pattison
In this episode of the Tackle HIV Talking Stigma Podcast, Gareth Thomas is joined by TV personality Vicky Pattison for an honest discussion about the stigma surrounding women's health. Vicky, who has evolved from a reality TV star to a vocal advocate for women's health and empowerment, shares her journey living with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), a hormone related condition which cause...
41m • Jul 30, 2024
41m
S1 Ep14: Episode 10: Tackling Stigma with Vicky Pattison
In this episode of the Tackle HIV Talking Stigma Podcast, Gareth Thomas is joined by TV personality Vicky Pattison for an honest discussion about the stigma surrounding women's health. Vicky, who has evolved from a reality TV star to a vocal advocate for women's health and empowerment, shares her journey living with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), a hormone related condition which caus...
41m • Jul 30, 2024
41m
12: Episode 9: Tackling Stigma with Jason Fox
Trigger warning: This episode contains discussion around suicide. In this episode of the Tackle HIV Talking Stigma Podcast, Gareth Thomas is joined by Jason Fox, or ‘Foxy,’ known for his Special Forces background and as directing staff on ‘SAS: Who Dares Wins.’ Foxy shares his experiences with mental health challenges post-military service and highlights how openness and support play key roles ...
42m • Jul 03, 2024
42m
S1 Ep13: Episode 9: Tackling Stigma with Jason Fox
Trigger warning: This episode contains discussion around suicide. In this episode of the Tackle HIV Talking Stigma Podcast, Gareth Thomas is joined by Jason Fox, or ‘Foxy,’ known for his Special Forces background and as directing staff on ‘SAS: Who Dares Wins.’ Foxy shares his experiences with mental health challenges post-military service and highlights how openness and support play key role...
42m • Jul 03, 2024
42m
11: Special Episode: National HIV Testing Week 2024
During National HIV Testing Week 2024, which coincided with the Six Nations, Gareth Thomas took part in powerful panel discussion on the importance of HIV testing and overcoming stigma. To raise awareness about the importance of HIV testing, Gareth was joined by an inspiring group of people, including Richard Angell, CEO of Terrence Higgins Trust; former England rugby player Nolli Waterman; Dr....
48m • May 01, 2024
48m
S1 Ep12: Special Episode: National HIV Testing Week 2024
During National HIV Testing Week 2024, which coincided with the Six Nations, Gareth Thomas took part in powerful panel discussion on the importance of HIV testing and overcoming stigma. To raise awareness about the importance of HIV testing, Gareth was joined by an inspiring group of people, including Richard Angell, CEO of Terrence Higgins Trust; former England rugby player Nolli Waterman; Dr....
48m • May 01, 2024
48m
S1 Ep11: Special Episode: Empowering women in sport, healthcare, and society
Gareth Thomas takes part in a Women's Roundtable, a candid and powerful discussion aimed at confronting challenges faced by women in sports, healthcare, and wider society, as well as addressing the under-recognised impact of HIV on women. Globally, women make up more than half of those living with HIV, yet the prevailing myths suggest otherwise, contributing to delayed diagnoses and inadequate...
58m • Nov 23, 2023
58m
10: Episode 8 - Tackling Stigma with Mark Foster
Gareth Thomas is joined by World Champion swimmer Mark Foster. Mark competed at the highest level for Great Britain at five different Olympics, World Championships, and the Commonwealth Games. He now has a very successful career as a commentator, TV personality, public speaker, and charity campaigner. In this episode, we discuss the stigma around homosexuality in sport and society, with Gareth ...
52m • May 22, 2023
52m
S1 Ep10: Episode 8 - Tackling Stigma with Mark Foster
Gareth Thomas is joined by World Champion swimmer Mark Foster. Mark competed at the highest level for Great Britain at five different Olympics, World Championships, and the Commonwealth Games. He now has a very successful career as a commentator, TV personality, public speaker, and charity campaigner. In this episode, we discuss the stigma around homosexuality in sport and society, with Gareth ...
52m • May 22, 2023
52m
S1 Ep7: Episode 7 - Tackling Stigma with Lina Nielsen
Gareth Thomas is joined by professional athlete Lina Nielsen. Lina competes at the highest level for Great Britain in the 400m hurdles, being the European under 20s champion, and is currently ranked in the world’s top 20, whilst living and competing with relapsing remitting Multiple Sclerosis. In this episode, Lina and Gareth discuss fighting public perceptions of both MS and HIV, the importanc...
53m • Apr 24, 2023
53m
9: Episode 7 - Tackling Stigma with Lina Nielsen
Episode 7 - Tackling Stigma with Lina Nielsen Gareth Thomas is joined by professional athlete Lina Nielsen. Lina competes at the highest level for Great Britain in the 400m hurdles, being the European under 20s champion, and is currently ranked in the world’s top 20, whilst living and competing with relapsing remitting Multiple Sclerosis. In this episode, Lina and Gareth discuss fighting public...
53m • Apr 24, 2023
53m
8: Episode 6 - Tackling Mental Health stigma with Frank Bruno
Episode 6 - Tackling Mental Health stigma with Frank Bruno Gareth Thomas and Craig Doyle are joined by retired professional boxer and former heavyweight champion Frank Bruno. Throughout his life and career, Frank has faced challenges and fought against stigma surrounding mental health, which led him to start the Frank Bruno Foundation. In this episode, Frank talks about the importance of being...
45m • Jun 15, 2022
45m
S1 Ep6: Episode 6 - Tackling Stigma with Frank Bruno
Gareth Thomas and Craig Doyle are joined by retired professional boxer and former heavyweight champion Frank Bruno.  Throughout his life and career, Frank has faced challenges and fought against stigma surrounding mental health, which led him to start the Frank Bruno Foundation. In this episode, Frank talks about the importance of being respectful, keeping calm and staying in control both insid...
45m • Jun 15, 2022
45m
S1 Ep7: Special Episode: Can Sport Help Bring Positive Change?
On the eve of the Lions departure to South Africa for the 2021 tour, we sat down for a special live edition of the Talking Stigma podcast with Gareth Thomas,  World Cup winners Bryan Habana & Nollie Waterman, Craig Doyle and ViiV Healthcare’s Helen McDowell
53m • Sep 16, 2021
53m
S1 Ep6: Episode 5: Tackling Stigma with Katie Piper
Episode 5: Tackling Stigma with Katie Piper Gareth and Craig are joined by best-selling author, inspirational speaker, activist, and television presenter Katie Piper. In 2008, Katie survived an acid attack.  Since then Katie has produced multiple documentaries, created her own foundation, the “Katie Piper Foundation”, and become a role model and campaigner for acid attack survivors across the...
45m • Jul 21, 2021
45m
S1 Ep5: Episode 4: Tackling Disability Stigma with Hannah Cockcroft
Episode 4: Tackling Disability Stigma with Hannah Cockcroft The 2012 Paralympic Games in London were seen as a turning point for disability in the UK. The games broke multiple records and created a huge shift in attitudes and perceptions towards those with disabilities, yet some stigma and discrimination still remain. One of the athletes from those games, joins Gareth and Craig to talk about ...
56m • May 27, 2021
56m
S1 Ep4: Episode 3: Tackling HIV Stigma with Nathaniel Hall
It’s a Sin is one of Channel 4’s most successful shows of all-time. It’s shattered streaming records on the All 4 platform, but most importantly it’s brought HIV/AIDS into mainstream conversation in a very powerful way.  The worry among many in the HIV community was that the stigma depicted in the show from the early ’80s would resurface. But it’s been quite the opposite. The show has had an ...
41m • Mar 18, 2021
41m
S1 Ep3: Special Episode: Tackling HIV Stigma with Ian Green, Will Ross & Allen Jones
In a special edition of the Talking Stigma podcast, Gareth Thomas sat down with Ian Green, CEO of the Terrence Higgins Trust  (the UK’s leading HIV charity) alongside Allen Jones (AJ) & his partner Will Ross. AJ is living with HIV and talks to Gareth and Ian about how he felt when he was diagnosed, the stigma that he has faced and how he feels now.
32m • Mar 08, 2021
32m
S1 Ep2: Episode 2: Tackling racism with Dion Dublin
Episode 2: Tackling racism with Dion Dublin Over the past few months millions of people have taken to the streets across the world demanding their voices be heard in the fight against racism. The Black Lives Matter demonstrations have shone a light on racial divides and inspired hope that there is an opportunity for meaningful change. Former England football player and TV star Dion Dublin is...
1hr 1m • Nov 20, 2020
1hr 1m
S1 Ep1: Episode 1: Tackling homophobia with Kate Richardson-Walsh
Homophobia in sport remains a taboo subject for many at the highest levels with many athletes and coaches still having to deal with secrecy and stigma. Kate Richardson-Walsh is an Olympic gold medal winning hockey player, who was capped a record 375 times for her country and was England and Great Britain captain for 13 years. A trailblazer for LGBTQ sportspeople, Kate played alongside and the...
59m • Nov 17, 2020
59m

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