What do you do when the life you’ve built suddenly disappears?

In this episode of The Meaning of Men we're joined by Adam Clayton, a former professional rugby player whose career was cut short by injury at 24. In the years that followed, Adam struggled with steroid addiction, a loss of identity, and the search for purpose. But hitting rock bottom became the start of something special.

Adam now runs APEX Everest, a powerful community helping people conquer their own seemingly insurmountable challenges—through real conversation, shared experience, and physical endurance.

We joined Adam to record this episode in the stunning Quantok Hills of Somerset to get a first hand experience of the impact APEX is having in helping to turn people's lives around - just like it did for him.

Timestamps:

03:21: From Rugby Dreams to Professional Reality 06:21: The Harsh Realities of Professional Sports 09:09: Injury and Identity Crisis 13:01: The Struggles of Post-Rugby Life 15:35: The Dark Side of Recovery: Steroid Use 19:45: Hitting Rock Bottom and Finding Hope 22:55: Confronting the Past: A Conversation with My Younger Self 24:30: The Balance of Ambition and Contentment 26:52: The Birth of Apex: Building Community Through Challenge 32:15: Understanding Men's Struggles: Confidence, Purpose, and Loneliness 35:12: Transformational Journeys: Stories of Growth and Healing 37:27: Overcoming Fear: The Power of Belief and Community 40:53: Healing Through Helping: The Journey of Self-Discovery 44:53: A Message of Hope: Taking the First Step Forward