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Matt Stephens talks about depression, his police career and travelling in the boot of a car

Ex-pro and media figure chats with Nick Hussey

Former British national road race champion Matt Stephens is a prominent figure in cycling. Following his racing career, he has pursued a media career, commentating on races, interviewing riders and appearing in countless videos for GCN. In the latest episode of Nick Hussey’s FRAHM Jacket Podcast, he also opens up about his life beyond cycling, including his career in the police force and a period of depression when he lost contact with his son.

It’s an hour-long podcast and the tone ebbs and flows throughout. At times it’s jokey, at other times more serious.

Stephens’ on-screen persona is almost relentlessly upbeat and while he says this is generally how he approaches life, he also reveals a different side to himself.

After finding himself on the dole a year after riding the Giro d’Italia, Stephens applied to work in the police force.

He served for 12 years, in the latter stages working in child protection. It was also around this time that his marriage broke up, after which he says he didn’t see his son for about three years.  

Of course he also talks cycling, recalling how as a child he would travel with his dad to time trials. “You know when you’re a kid in the 1970s, when the car was full, your mum and dad used to put you in the boot.”

He also talks a little about how he returned to the sport from his police career, although shortly after that the podcast comes to a premature close because a drunken argument nearby becomes too hard to ignore. It sounds like there may be a follow-up further down the line.

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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10 comments

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don simon fbpe | 5 years ago
0 likes

No helmet? What would Geraint say?

Avatar
Organon replied to don simon fbpe | 5 years ago
0 likes

don simon wrote:

No helmet? What would Geraint say?

Nothing, presumably.

Avatar
Organon replied to Organon | 5 years ago
0 likes

Organon wrote:

don simon wrote:

No helmet? What would Geraint say?

Nothing, presumably.

I stand corrected.

Avatar
meursault | 5 years ago
0 likes

Really like Matt Stephens, but had to turn this off, I'm used to much slicker podcasts, this is very amateur. Host isn't any good.

Avatar
davel replied to meursault | 5 years ago
0 likes

meursault wrote:

Really like Matt Stephens, but had to turn this off, I'm used to much slicker podcasts, this is very amateur. Host isn't any good.

Haven't listened to it yet... Is the host Nick Vulpine Hussey, brand builder?

Would assume the creator of Kenny van Vlaminck is good value all-round. Wouldn't assume the same about Mr Hussey. 

Avatar
zero_trooper replied to davel | 5 years ago
0 likes

davel wrote:

meursault wrote:

Really like Matt Stephens, but had to turn this off, I'm used to much slicker podcasts, this is very amateur. Host isn't any good.

Haven't listened to it yet... Is the host Nick Vulpine Hussey, brand builder?

Would assume the creator of Kenny van Vlaminck is good value all-round. Wouldn't assume the same about Mr Hussey. 

 

Is the host Nick Vulpine Hussey, brand builder?

Yep, same guy - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/using-my-story-address-entrepreneurial-ob...

 

Avatar
ConcordeCX | 5 years ago
3 likes

We used to put people in the boot when I was in the Mafia. Easy to put in, bloody difficult to get out again.

 

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Yorkshire wallet | 5 years ago
3 likes

My lad went camping with his grandparents for 3 days and I was starting to get down. Must be hell not seeing your kid for 3 years.

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maviczap replied to Yorkshire wallet | 5 years ago
0 likes

Yorkshire wallet wrote:

My lad went camping with his grandparents for 3 days and I was starting to get down. Must be hell not seeing your kid for 3 years.

Yep, just look at what happened to Mr Ulrich.

Avatar
Welsh boy replied to Yorkshire wallet | 5 years ago
3 likes

Yorkshire wallet wrote:

My lad went camping with his grandparents for 3 days and I was starting to get down. Must be hell not seeing your kid for 3 years.

Wait until they are a bit older, 3 days away wont seem anywhere near long enough!

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