The Longest Day Podcast

Leah talks to Alex Rieder on this week’s podcast. Alex is a retired, professional rugby player who played for Wasps. He works as an Account Manager for the IT company, Computer Centre. On Alex’s longest day he sustained a shocking and severely dislocated knee injury during a game. Thanks to the other team’s A&E specialist doctor, they were able to set his knee back in place on the pitch which saved his knee. Alex stoically quotes the film character, Rocky Balboa, it’s “not how many times you get hit but how many times you get hit and keep moving”! Alex was forced, however, to retire after multiple operations. Losing his rugby career at that stage was tough because he felt that it was short-lived as there was more to be achieved in the game. But he found that he had true resilience while overcoming the disappointment. With his support network of friends and family which make him laugh in challenging times, Alex exemplifies his own advice of growing from adversity, not letting it overwhelm you, focusing on the important things, and placing life into perspective.