Former All Black Israel Dagg has publicly disclosed a five-year struggle with depression and alcohol use. The 38-year-old shared his experience during an appearance on the Between Two Beers podcast, marking the first time he has spoken openly about these personal challenges.
Dagg attributed his decline in mental health to the difficult transition away from professional rugby following a career-ending knee injury in 2019. He explained that the abrupt end to his athletic career left him grappling with a loss of identity, as he struggled to define himself outside of his role as an elite sportsman.
In-depth summary · AI, neutral