Self-acceptance: Nigel Owens

Don’t Tell Me The Score

Self-acceptance could be the key to a happier life, yet it’s the 'happy habit' many people practise the least. That’s according to psychologists at the University of Hertfordshire who studied the keys to happiness. In this special episode of DTMTS recorded live at the Hay literary festival in Wales, Simon Mundie sits down with the beloved Welsh rugby referee Nigel Owens to explore the lessons he has learnt and can share about accepting yourself. When Nigel was a young man, he struggled to accept his sexuality which led to a failed suicide attempt. Thereafter he realised he had to accept who he was and his life then flourished professionally and personally. In this episode Nigel speaks about forgiving himself for his suicide attempt, something he had previously struggled with, and they talk about why people tend to be harsher on themselves than they are towards others. Nigel also talks about the importance of values in life and sport, what football can learn from rugby, and why humour is often the best medicine.