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.
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33:28
SURVIVING BURNOUT: What happens when your body finally says no
In this episode of LATE BLOOMERS, Rich and Rox dive deep into the reality of burnout — not the buzzword version, but the terrifying experience of your body, mind, and soul completely shutting down. Rox shares her personal story of chronic self-neglect, the warning signs she missed, and the breaking point where she physically couldn’t lift her own arms. Rich offers his perspective on watching it unfold, and the helplessness of seeing someone you love slowly disappear under the weight of invisible pressure.
We unpack the hidden warning signs, the toxic culture that rewards overwork, and the complicated shame that can keep you trapped in a cycle of destruction. Plus, we talk about how to actually start healing — and why listening to your body isn’t weakness, it’s survival.
If you’ve ever felt like you had to keep going no matter what, or you’re scared you're heading toward burnout yourself, this episode is for you. It’s real, raw, and hopeful — because it’s never too late to start again.
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32:24
WHO LEFT US IN CHARGE?!: A teenage dad, an ADHD stepmum, and how we survived becoming parents
This week on LATE BLOOMERS, Rich and Rox talk about becoming parents... without ever planning to.
Rich became a dad at 18. Rox became a stepmum with ADHD, trauma, and zero idea what she was doing. Neither of us signed up for this, but somehow, here we are — co-parenting, healing, messing up, and figuring it out one meltdown at a time.
We talk about what our childhoods taught us (and didn’t), why parenting can trigger your deepest wounds, and how we’re trying to do it differently — with love, honesty, and the occasional family-sized panic.
If you're a parent, a step-parent, or just someone trying to break the cycle and build something better than what you had — this one’s for you. You don’t have to get it perfect. You just have to keep showing up.
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40:01
ARE YOU MAD AT ME? What rejection sensitivity really feels like (and how to deal with it)
In this episode of LATE BLOOMERS, we’re diving into rejection sensitivity — what it actually is, where it comes from, and how it shows up in real life.
From spiraling over a single text message to assuming the worst when someone says “can we talk?”, Rox opens up about how rejection sensitivity has impacted her relationships, career, and mental health. Rich offers his perspective as someone who doesn’t experience it in the same way — but lives with someone who really does.
We talk about disavowed anger, childhood wounds, confrontation fears, and the little things that can make a big difference when you’re wired to feel unsafe.
Whether you’re the one asking “are you mad at me?” or living with someone who does — this one’s for you.
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.