Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Former NRL player and reality tv star Luke Bateman was a sensitive child who loved fantasy stories.
The Booktok content creator says that reading was a side of him he felt he had to hide in traditionally masculine cultures like the NRL – going so far as to lock himself in the toilet to read books.
“It really created a massive internal conflict in me … I got to the point of depression … I was like ‘I hate how I feel, how do I numb this?’”
To explore how Australian men are reckoning with changing ideas around gender and masculinity, watch Insight episode Male Liberation on SBS On Demand.
For gambling addiction support you can visit the National Gambling Helpline or call on 1800 858 858.
For crisis and mental health support, contact Lifeline (13 11 14), SANE Australia (1800 187 263) or 13Yarn (139 276), a 24/7 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders crisis support line.
Former NRL player and reality tv star Luke Bateman was a sensitive child who loved fantasy stories.
The Booktok content creator says that reading was a side of him he felt he had to hide in traditionally masculine cultures like the NRL – going so far as to lock himself in the toilet to read books.
“It really created a massive internal conflict in me … I got to the point of depression … I was like ‘I hate how I feel, how do I numb this?’”
To explore how Australian men are reckoning with changing ideas around gender and masculinity, watch Insight episode Male Liberation on SBS On Demand.
For gambling addiction support you can visit the National Gambling Helpline or call on 1800 858 858.
For crisis and mental health support, contact Lifeline (13 11 14), SANE Australia (1800 187 263) or 13Yarn (139 276), a 24/7 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders crisis support line.
