Footy star opens up about his mental health struggles and reveals he tried to kill himself three times – including once while he was still playing
- Daniel Conn has struggled with his mental health, particularly since retiring
- He was forced to quit football after a severe neck injury at just 25 years old
- Conn went has a successful training business and featured on Geordie Shore
A former NRL player who also featured in reality television show Geordie Shore has opened up about his three suicide attempts.
Daniel Conn, who played for Canterbury Bulldogs, Gold Coast Titans and Sydney Roosters before retiring and launching a career as a personal trainer, has quietly struggled with his mental health.
The 33-year-old told Fox Sports he was so caught up in his on-field career, that while playing for the Titans a season-ending injury pushed him to try to take his own life.
‘When I was playing for the Titans, I had an operation on my foot and I knew I wasn’t going to get back in the team,’ he said.
Pictured: Dan Conn alongside Vicky Pattison from Geordie Shore after he appeared on the series as her trainer
Conn was forced to retire from football after a severe neck injury and created a career in fitness
Following the injury, Conn attempted to ‘finish it all off’. He survived the attempt.
Conn told friends in the years to follow that it was an accident. He confessed it ‘took some time’ to come out and tell the truth.
Conn, who played for Canterbury Bulldogs, Gold Coast Titans and Sydney Roosters before retiring and launching a career as a personal trainer, has quietly struggled with his mental health
Following that attempt, he was offered a position with the Sydney Roosters, and moved back to Sydney where he eventually went on to play in a Grand Final.
But he was injured again – this time a severe neck trouble which required spinal fusion surgery, effectively ending his career at just 25.
The Geordie Shore alumni was offered painkillers after the surgery and in the weeks to follow made a second attempt at his life.
But the third attempt was the scariest of all, he confessed.
‘It was probably a year after my neck. The boys were doing really well, you’re sort of coming out of the ”you were a footy player, now what do you do” type thing,’ he said.
‘I think it was the loss of identity that was really starting to get to me.’
Conn eventually made the decision to seek psychological help – and has never looked back.
He is now in a happy relationship with Ellice Whicello (pictured together) and said she helps him get out of bed on some days
While he still has days where he struggles to get out of bed, Conn found a purpose in teaching people about the benefits of F45 fitness training.
His career has taken him around the world – and even landed him on Geordie Shore as a personal trainer to stars of the show.
Conn said if he could offer any advice to people who are struggling, it would be to reflect on their lifestyle and what makes them happy.
If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au
Conn runs a successful fitness business and has travelled the globe teaching F45 to clients