My comeback story as a professional boxer | Nathan Heaney | TEDxStaffordshireUniversity

Professional boxer Nathan Heaney is a passionate advocate for honest conversations around mental health.
In this talk, he shares his journey of failure, personal tragedy, resilience and finding the spirit to fight on. Nathan is a professional boxer from Stoke-on-Trent. It’s a sport he has competed in for over 23 years and recently he created history by becoming British Middleweight Champion.
He graduated from Staffordshire University with a Sports Science degree and a Foundation Law degree with the intention of becoming a teacher.
Although he taught for a time at Stafford College, he made his boxing comeback as a pro six years ago, earning himself the nickname “Hitman” for his hard-hitting style.
Nathan has a significant local fanbase and makes it his mission to hand deliver tickets to his army of supporters. A diehard fan of his beloved Stoke City Football Club, his ambition is to target a world title fight at bet365 Stadium.
He is also a passionate advocate for honest conversations around mental health - a subject very close to his heart. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx