THE SHAME FILES: Why the things you never talk about are keeping you stuck
What if the things you’re most ashamed of — the things you swore you’d never tell anyone — are the very things holding you back?
In this episode of LATE BLOOMERS, Rich and Rox open up the “shame files” and share the moments they’ve buried for years: the gambling, the stealing, the lying, the drinking, the secrets, the things they hoped no one would ever find out.
Together, they unpack how shame shapes our identities, how we carry guilt that was never ours to begin with, and how hiding the truth keeps us sick, small, and disconnected. From addiction and childhood trauma to money meltdowns and compulsive people-pleasing, this is a raw and honest look at what happens when we finally say it out loud.
If you’ve ever thought, “If they knew the real me, they’d leave,” — this episode is your proof that healing starts with honesty.
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32:07
LATE DIAGNOSED ADHD: The hidden cost of going undiagnosed for most of your life
“For most of my life, I thought I was just a bad person — lazy, dramatic, messy, and too much”. In this episode of LATE BLOOMERS, Rox shares the raw truth about being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood, and how it changed everything.
Alongside Rich, she reflects on the years of masking, people-pleasing, addiction, and breakdowns that came from not understanding her own brain. Together, they explore the emotional weight of a late diagnosis — the grief, the relief, the shame, and the transformation.
If you've ever asked yourself “Why am I like this?” — if you’ve ever felt like you’re failing at life for reasons you can’t explain — this episode will hit home. Because sometimes, a diagnosis isn’t just a label. It’s a lifeline.
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31:00
SMALL VICTORIES: Why tiny wins matter more than overnight transformations
Ever planned a total life overhaul, only to burn out in three days and feel even worse? Yeah, us too.
In this episode of LATE BLOOMERS, Rich and Rox get brutally honest about why we chase fantasy fixes—like crash diets, productivity sprints, or becoming a totally new person overnight—and why those plans always fall apart. From ADHD brains addicted to dopamine and all-or-nothing thinking, to trauma-based shame spirals and the lure of a brand new notebook, we unpack the psychology behind self-sabotage.
But more importantly, we talk about the antidote: small victories. You’ll hear about money meltdowns, fantasy meal plans, unfinished wardrobes, and why building trust with yourself through micro-changes is the only sustainable way to grow.
If you’ve ever thought, “I should have my life together by now”—this one’s for you.
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30:59
STOP HATING YOURSELF: Why your worst enemy might live in your own head
In this episode of LATE BLOOMERS, Rich and Rox dive deep into the quiet epidemic of self-hatred. We explore where it really comes from: childhood trauma, rejection, bullying, addiction, neurodivergence, and the survival strategies we learned just to make it through. Whether it's self-sabotage, choosing the wrong people, or never feeling good enough, self-hate often hides in plain sight.
We share our own stories—gambling addiction, self-harm, broken relationships, and shame—and the long, messy road toward finally learning to treat ourselves with compassion. If you’ve ever struggled with that voice in your head that says you’re not enough, this is the episode you need.
We also break down some practical ways to start changing the script: how to recognise your inner critic, track your self-talk, accept compliments without deflecting, and understand that self-hatred is something you learned—which means it’s something you can unlearn.
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35:02
GOING TO THERAPY: Finding the right ones and surviving the wrong ones
We finally talk about therapy — the good, the bad, and the absolutely brutal. From Rich’s years of avoiding it to Rox’s emotional unravelling in front of multiple therapists, this episode is a brutally honest look at what happens when you actually start doing the work.
We share our personal journeys: the mismatched therapists, the awkward silences, the big breakthroughs, and the breakdowns that came with them. If you’ve ever left a session feeling worse, ghosted a therapist, or wondered if therapy even works — this one’s for you.
Whether you’re just starting out or deep in the process, we hope this episode helps you feel less alone in the mess of healing.
Introducing “LATE BLOOMERS”, the podcast where Rich and Rox Pink—self-proclaimed experts in how to mess up your life—share their raw and unfiltered journey from barely surviving to thriving.
Between them, they’ve
• Drowned in debt
• Battled addictions
• Survived multiple divorces
• Quit countless jobs
• Faced severe mental health struggles
Now, with over 5 million followers and two Sunday Times bestselling books, they’re here to prove that no matter how messy life gets, it’s never too late to turn it around.
Tune in for candid conversations and hard-earned lessons. This is your no bullsh*t guide to personal growth.
Ireland