Business Speakers
Clarke Carlisle is a broadcaster and former professional footballer.
An imposing defender, Clarke played for teams including Leeds, QPR, Watford, Burnley and the England U21 squad.
As former Chairman of the PFA, Clarke was the first professional footballer to appear on the BBC’s Question Time.
In 2013, after a 17 year career, where he played for nine clubs, across all four divisions, Clarke retired.
He experienced the very highs of professional sport, however, for the majority of his career, Clarke suffered with CDD – Complex Depressive Disorder.
The combination of an undiagnosed illness and being emotionally illiterate, led to Clarke developing coping strategies which were totally destructive and compounded his depression.
Whilst being extremely successful in his profession, he lived a duplicitous life of external lauding and internal loathing.
Following two suicide attempts, Clarke was admitted to a psychiatric hospital where he finally received an accurate diagnosis.
He has since set-up the Clarke Carlisle Foundation for Dual Diagnosis. The foundation’s objective is to fund a purpose built Dual Diagnosis treatment facility.
A popular football pundit and broadcaster, Clarke has presented ‘Football’s Suicide Secret‘ and also the critically acclaimed BBC documentary “Is Football Racist?”.
His autobiography, You Don’t Know Me, But… A Footballer’s Life was published in 2014.
Mental Health Speaker:
A powerful keynote speaker, Clarke, joined by his wife Carrie Carlisle, delivers an honest and moving account of his battles with depression and mental health issues.
Clarke is open about his struggles with alcohol, depression, gambling and the pressure of playing top flight football.
Furthermore, Clarke can also talk about diversity and culture change in a game traditionally associated with macho behaviour.
