GOING TO THERAPY: Finding the right ones and surviving the wrong ones

In this episode of LATE BLOOMERS, Rich and Rox dive deep into the quiet epidemic of self-hatred. We explore where it really comes from: childhood trauma, rejection, bullying, addiction, neurodivergence, and the survival strategies we learned just to make it through. Whether it's self-sabotage, choosing the wrong people, or never feeling good enough, self-hate often hides in plain sight. We share our own stories—gambling addiction, self-harm, broken relationships, and shame—and the long, messy road toward finally learning to treat ourselves with compassion. If you’ve ever struggled with that voice in your head that says you’re not enough, this is the episode you need. We also break down some practical ways to start changing the script: how to recognise your inner critic, track your self-talk, accept compliments without deflecting, and understand that self-hatred is something you learned—which means it’s something you can unlearn. 

We finally talk about therapy — the good, the bad, and the absolutely brutal. From Rich’s years of avoiding it to Rox’s emotional unravelling in front of multiple therapists, this episode is a brutally honest look at what happens when you actually start doing the work. We share our personal journeys: the mismatched therapists, the awkward silences, the big breakthroughs, and the breakdowns that came with them. If you’ve ever left a session feeling worse, ghosted a therapist, or wondered if therapy even works — this one’s for you. Whether you’re just starting out or deep in the process, we hope this episode helps you feel less alone in the mess of healing.

In this episode of LATE BLOOMERS, Rich and Rox dive deep into the reality of burnout — not the buzzword version, but the terrifying experience of your body, mind, and soul completely shutting down. Rox shares her personal story of chronic self-neglect, the warning signs she missed, and the breaking point where she physically couldn’t lift her own arms. Rich offers his perspective on watching it unfold, and the helplessness of seeing someone you love slowly disappear under the weight of invisible pressure. We unpack the hidden warning signs, the toxic culture that rewards overwork, and the complicated shame that can keep you trapped in a cycle of destruction. Plus, we talk about how to actually start healing — and why listening to your body isn’t weakness, it’s survival. If you’ve ever felt like you had to keep going no matter what, or you’re scared you're heading toward burnout yourself, this episode is for you. It’s real, raw, and hopeful — because it’s never too late to start again.

This week on LATE BLOOMERS, Rich and Rox talk about becoming parents... without ever planning to. Rich became a dad at 18. Rox became a stepmum with ADHD, trauma, and zero idea what she was doing. Neither of us signed up for this, but somehow, here we are — co-parenting, healing, messing up, and figuring it out one meltdown at a time. We talk about what our childhoods taught us (and didn’t), why parenting can trigger your deepest wounds, and how we’re trying to do it differently — with love, honesty, and the occasional family-sized panic. If you're a parent, a step-parent, or just someone trying to break the cycle and build something better than what you had — this one’s for you. You don’t have to get it perfect. You just have to keep showing up.

In this episode of LATE BLOOMERS, we’re diving into rejection sensitivity — what it actually is, where it comes from, and how it shows up in real life. From spiraling over a single text message to assuming the worst when someone says “can we talk?”, Rox opens up about how rejection sensitivity has impacted her relationships, career, and mental health. Rich offers his perspective as someone who doesn’t experience it in the same way — but lives with someone who really does. We talk about disavowed anger, childhood wounds, confrontation fears, and the little things that can make a big difference when you’re wired to feel unsafe. Whether you’re the one asking “are you mad at me?” or living with someone who does — this one’s for you.

In this raw and honest episode, Rich and Rox take you to the nights they almost didn’t make it through — and how those exact moments became the catalyst for everything good that followed. Rich opens up about his secret gambling addiction, the £7,000 lost in 11 minutes, and the night he truly believed not being here was the only way out. Rox shares the story of a 3-day bender in Ibiza that wrecked a music video shoot, broke her relationship, and finally pushed her to walk into her first recovery meeting. They talk shame, addiction, second chances, and how the rock bottom moments — the ones where you hate yourself most — can actually lay the foundation for the life you never thought you could have. If you’re in it right now, if you’ve ever wondered if things can change… this episode is here to say: yes, they can. You’re not alone. And this might just be the beginning.

Are you constantly saying yes when you mean no? Feeling anxious about being liked? Putting everyone else’s needs before your own... then burning out in silence? You might be stuck in a people pleasing loop... and it’s time to break free. In this episode of LATE BLOOMERS, Rich and Rox dive deep into the roots of people pleasing, from childhood conditioning to ADHD-related rejection sensitivity. They share personal stories, relationship reflections, and how unlearning the “good girl/good boy” mindset changed everything. Expect raw honesty, a few uncomfortable truths, and practical advice on how to: – Stop caring what everyone thinks – Set boundaries without guilt – Start living for you It’s not about being selfish, it's about being yourself!

This week on LATE BLOOMERS, we’re having one of the most important—and difficult—conversations we’ve ever shared. In this deeply personal episode, Rich opens up about his experience of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of someone he trusted. He talks about how the abuse happened, the grooming that led up to it, and the lasting impact it had on his life—relationships, addiction, anxiety, and self-worth. We also discuss what helped him begin to heal: therapy, sobriety, and support from the right people at the right time. This episode is for anyone who’s lived through similar trauma, or loves someone who has. We hope that by sharing Rich’s story, it helps survivors feel less alone, and offers hope that healing is possible—no matter how long it takes. Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions of childhood sexual abuse, grooming, and its emotional aftermath. Please take care while listening.

This week on LATE BLOOMERS, we're talking about starting again—whether it’s your career, your side hustle, or your entire life. We’re breaking down the four steps to starting over: Identity, Change, Delusion, and Commitment. Sounds simple, right? It wasn’t. We’re sharing the messy truth about our own failures—failed businesses, flopped albums, quitting jobs, and giving up on ourselves (more than once). Rox talks about abandoning 25 business ideas (including the infamous House of Resin), and Rich opens up about staying stuck in a job he hated for 20 years before finally taking a risk. If you’ve ever felt like it’s too late to start over, this episode is your sign. Because we did it… in our late 30s and 40s. And if we can, you can. Topics include: Why failure isn’t the end How identity holds you back The power of delusion (seriously) What commitment really looks like (spoiler: it’s not 5AM gym sessions) Our personal stories of starting again… and again

What if the reason you’re struggling isn’t you—but the environment you’re in? In this episode, Rox and Rich dive into The Cherry Tree Theory, a powerful way to reframe personal growth, self-sabotage, and why some people thrive while others feel stuck. They break down why self-blame keeps you trapped, how past experiences shape your ability to grow, and why the right environment is more important than just "trying harder." Instead of forcing yourself to change, what if you changed the conditions around you? Taking inspiration from Mother Nature herself they reveal five surprising steps for personal thriving: 1) Stop poisoning yourself 2) Heal your roots  3) Start pruning 4) Find new soil 5) Nurture your growth If you’ve ever felt stuck, like personal growth isn’t working, or like something invisible is holding you back—this episode might just change the way you see yourself forever.