Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Olympic gold medalist Matthew Mitcham sits down with Howie to relive the dive that stunned Beijing and the life journey behind it: childhood anxiety, brutal self-talk, self-harm, addiction, rehab, and ultimately, more than 10 years clean and sober. We also get his actor’s mindset for the play Afterglow, body confidence (yes, there’s on‑stage nudity), training at 38, the random twist from trampoline to diving, “clown diving” in a shallow tank, and the coaching shift that changed everything.
Please note: This episode discusses sensitive topics. We encourage listeners to tune in thoughtfully and take care while listening.
🎧 The Howie Games is Australia's #1 Sports Podcast. Where the biggest names in the world of sport go one-on-one with sports journalist Mark Howard. From ultimate highs to tear-jerking lows, Howie lifts the lid on the real stories behind the headlines. He sits down with the biggest names in Australian & world sport, finding out how they started out, what makes them tick, how they deal with the big wins and the big losses, and how they take on sport and life from here.
Hear the full Howie Games episode on LiSTNR 👉 listnr.com/podcasts/the-howie-games
Stream full Howie Games episodes on Apple Podcasts & Spotify 👉 link.chtbl.com/HowieGameslisten
Stream full episodes on LiSTNR 👉 https://fal.cn/HowieGamesListnr
00:00 Intro: “Twists and Turns,” Delhi memories & silver‑medal disappointment
03:48 From the pool to the stage: Matt on Afterglow
09:00 Fitness, body confidence & on‑stage nudity
14:05 Early life: no dad, teen mum, anxiety, low self‑esteem.
24:19 AIS discovery at Chandler: talent‑spotted off the boards.
29:48 Coach Hui Tong: “corrections‑only” & the emotional cost.
32:56 Self-harm & binge drinking
40:02 Leaving diving (2006), near‑miss for Athens, run‑ins & burnout.
48:24 Olympic Village: a utopia of food halls & global athletes
57:17 Final‑dive headspace
01:09:13 Gold. Shell shock. Life changes overnight.
01:11:01 Going to rehab as a public figure, now 10 years sober.
01:18:14 Pride, stage/film ambitions, and advice to young guns.
Olympic gold medalist Matthew Mitcham sits down with Howie to relive the dive that stunned Beijing and the life journey behind it: childhood anxiety, brutal self-talk, self-harm, addiction, rehab, and ultimately, more than 10 years clean and sober. We also get his actor’s mindset for the play Afterglow, body confidence (yes, there’s on‑stage nudity), training at 38, the random twist from trampoline to diving, “clown diving” in a shallow tank, and the coaching shift that changed everything.
Please note: This episode discusses sensitive topics. We encourage listeners to tune in thoughtfully and take care while listening.
🎧 The Howie Games is Australia's #1 Sports Podcast. Where the biggest names in the world of sport go one-on-one with sports journalist Mark Howard. From ultimate highs to tear-jerking lows, Howie lifts the lid on the real stories behind the headlines. He sits down with the biggest names in Australian & world sport, finding out how they started out, what makes them tick, how they deal with the big wins and the big losses, and how they take on sport and life from here.
Hear the full Howie Games episode on LiSTNR 👉 listnr.com/podcasts/the-howie-games
Stream full Howie Games episodes on Apple Podcasts & Spotify 👉 link.chtbl.com/HowieGameslisten
Stream full episodes on LiSTNR 👉 https://fal.cn/HowieGamesListnr
00:00 Intro: “Twists and Turns,” Delhi memories & silver‑medal disappointment
03:48 From the pool to the stage: Matt on Afterglow
09:00 Fitness, body confidence & on‑stage nudity
14:05 Early life: no dad, teen mum, anxiety, low self‑esteem.
24:19 AIS discovery at Chandler: talent‑spotted off the boards.
29:48 Coach Hui Tong: “corrections‑only” & the emotional cost.
32:56 Self-harm & binge drinking
40:02 Leaving diving (2006), near‑miss for Athens, run‑ins & burnout.
48:24 Olympic Village: a utopia of food halls & global athletes
57:17 Final‑dive headspace
01:09:13 Gold. Shell shock. Life changes overnight.
01:11:01 Going to rehab as a public figure, now 10 years sober.
01:18:14 Pride, stage/film ambitions, and advice to young guns.
