Eddie Hall Breaks Down Reflecting On Suicidal Thoughts As Teenager

*WARNING: ARTICLE CONTAINS REFERENCES TO SUICIDE*

Eddie Hall broke down in tears reflecting on the suicidal thoughts that plagued him as a young teenager. Watch here:

In 2017, Hall achieved his 'lifelong dream' of becoming the World's Strongest Man - a feat that takes gargantuan amounts of talent, power, dedication and fight.

In truth though, Hall has always been a fighter, not just in the world of Strongman. He recently competed in an actual fight against fellow WSM winner Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, but long before all of this 'The Beast' had to come out on top in his own battles with suicidal thoughts.

In a new BBC documentary charting the build up to 'the heaviest boxing match in history', the 34-year-old was reduced to tears as he opened up about his struggles with anxiety and depression growing up.

"I had a bit of a downfall," he said.

"I started suffering with quite bad bouts of depression and anxiety, from say age 12, 13, onwards. Everything and everyone just imploded around me."

He continued: "I think it was just such a dark, lonely point in my life. I mean, for a 13-year-old kid to be wanting to kill himself - for such a long time.

"Two years of putting on a brave face and pretending there's no problems."

Eddie Hall: The Beast Vs The Mountain - made by Louis Theroux's production company, Mindhouse - explores the origins of the beef between the friends turned foes, and the impact of their fight on the Hall family.

A synopsis reads: "With exclusive and intimate access to Eddie and his family in the months leading up to the fight and at the main event itself, Eddie Hall: The Beast vs The Mountain follows the highs and lows, and all the laughs and tears, as Eddie balances a young family with a punishing and obsessively strict training regime, all the while battling to keep his mental health in check.

"But this is not just about a present day grudge match between two giants. This is also a look back at Eddie's personal story: that of a young man who struggled with serious mental health issues but who found a way to deal with this through extreme forms of exercise.

"It's also the story of what happens when you dedicate your life to a single cause, to the point of obsession and the effect that has, both positive and negative, on those closest to you."

Eddie Hall: The Beast Vs The Mountain premieres on BBC Three and iPlayer on Sunday (26 June) at 9pm.

Here's a list of the leading mental health helplines and services that are just a call away in the UK:

- Samaritans are there 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and will talk to you about anything that's bothering you. You can call 116 123 (free from any phone), email [email protected] or visit some branches in person. You can also call the Welsh Language Line on 0300 164 0123 from 7pm to 11pm every day.

- The Mix take calls from under 25s on 0808 808 4994 from seven days a week from 3pm to 12am. You can request support by email using the form on The Mix website or using their crisis text messenger service.

- Papyrus HOPELINEUK is there for under 35s struggling with suicidal feelings, or those who are concerned about a young person who might be struggling. You can call them on 0800 068 4141 every day from 9am to 12am. You can also email [email protected] or text 07860 039 967.

- The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) caters specifically to males on 0800 58 58 58 from 5pm to midnight every day. Alternatively, you can use their webchat service.

- The Nightline website allows students to see if their university or college offers a night-time listening service. Nightline phone operators are all students too.

- Switchboard is there for people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender and can be reached on 0300 330 0630 from 10am to 10pm every day. You can also email here or use their webchat service. Phone operators all identify as LGBT+.

- The Community Advice and Listening Line (C.A.L.L). is available for those who live in Wales and can be contacted on 0800 132 737, which is open 24/7. You can also text 'help' followed by a question to 81066.

Featured Image Credit: BBC

Topics: Sport, Eddie Hall, Boxing, Mental Health

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey