My Story

My name’s Thomas Minns. I was born in Leeds and brought up by my grandparents in a tough environment, where rugby became my outlet from a young age. At the time, I didn’t realise it, but it was a coping strategy that helped me deal with things I didn’t fully understand.

I went on to debut for my hometown club, Leeds Rhinos, at just 18 years old something I had always dreamed of achieving.

When I was 23, my mum passed away. That period of my life forced me to face things I had pushed down for years, and it was then I began to understand that I had been struggling with depression and anxiety.

Like many people, I tried to carry on and deal with things on my own, but eventually I reached a point where I hit rock bottom. That was when I made the decision to seek help and looking back, I only wish I had done it sooner.

More recently, I was diagnosed with ADHD. That diagnosis helped me better understand how my mind works, how I respond to pressure, and why certain things felt more difficult than they should have. It’s been a big part of learning how to manage things better and move forward in a more positive way.

I have played over 100 professional games across my career, representing clubs including Leeds Rhinos, Hull KR, Featherstone Rovers, London Broncos, Wakefield Trinity, and Goole Vikings. I now play semi-professional rugby union alongside my career as a firefighter.

Through MinnsMind, I now speak about that journey from where I started to where I am today sharing the reality of mental health, ADHD, resilience, and the importance of asking for help when you need it.

The purpose of MinnsMind is simple: if my story can help even one person realise they are enough, then it’s worth it.

Since 2019, I’ve been speaking openly about mental health, and it’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.