Footy great who whose dad and sister died tragically when he was a child reveals why he turned his back on the mental health industry and found inner peace his own way

Cronulla Sharks cult hero Dan Stains has revealed how he finally found inner peace in his life following the deaths of his father and sister when he was a youngster.

Stains, 59, isn’t a fan of psychological counselling, believing it has has been largely ineffective as he sought for avenues to deal with his personal trauma.

After growing on a dairy farm in remote Queensland, Stains’ life was turned upside down when his father died aged just 52.

He had gone to hospital for routine surgery and never came home, leaving Stains’ heartbroken mother to raise six kids.

The family soon moved to Toowoomba, and a few years later tragedy struck again when his oldest sister was killed in a charity car rally.

Stains (pictured recently) was recruited by the Sharks after he was a standout for Brothers in Brisbane, and got to play under legendary coach Jack Gibson in 1987

Rugby league was a much needed outlet, and after impressing for Brisbane Brothers, Stains signed for Cronulla where he played under legendary coach Jack Gibson.

While premiership success eluded Stains, he still carved out an impressive career, going onto represent Halifax in England and the Balmain Tigers.

Coaching was Stains’ next challenge, and after guiding the Tigers to a reserve grade grand final, he appeared to be on his way when barking instructions.

However, a sit down with his mentor Gibson provided a jolt Stains didn’t expect, after the original Supercoach questioned his life philosophy, which he labelled ‘flawed.’

It proved definitive – Stains soon found himself looking in the mirror and constantly questioning everything he was doing.

He eventually moved onto coach at the London Broncos, but was sacked in 1999 following a run of poor results.

Stains has written a book titled ‘What Now’, which offers tools for players looking to transition into the next phase of life after hanging up their boots

Two marriages and plenty of head noise followed, before Stains began to accept his ego was holding him back.

But the breakthrough didn’t come because he used professional help.

‘There’s a lot said about mental health awareness and mindfulness these days, but it can be pretty painful to go through,’ he said. 

After finally discovering the inner peace he craved by thoroughly reviewing his own life experiences – both good and bad – a noticeably slimmer Stains has written a book titled ‘What Now’.

It offers tools for footy stars looking to successfully transition into the next phase of life after hanging up their boots.

‘The book is a culmination of starting out from a young age, overcoming trauma and all the [life] lessons I learnt,’ he said. 

‘Hopefully, I’m an older head who has discovered all you can do is your best each day.’