White Lines : A Rugby Life Broken and Rebuilt

From international rugby star to the edge of oblivion - a fearless memoir of breakdown, reckoning and radical rebirth.

From the roar of packed stadiums to the silence of a prison cell, Second Chance is the blazing true story of Ryan Caldwell - former Ulster, Ireland and Premiership rugby player - whose fall from grace nearly cost him everything.

Once hailed as a towering enforcer on the pitch, Ryan's life spiralled after injury ended his career. Addiction, rage and despair took hold, culminating in a moment of devastating reckoning. But from the brink of death, he chose to fight - not for glory, but for survival.
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What follows is a raw, unforgettable journey: through the depths of trauma, into the heart of the Amazon jungle, and across the rugged terrain of healing. With the help of shamanic wisdom, plant medicine and radical self-reflection, Ryan confronts the pain he buried beneath his rugby persona and begins to rebuild.

Co-written with journalist Peter Lockhart, Second Chance is more than a sports memoir - it's a lit tale of redemption, resilience and the courage to rewrite your story. Gritty, honest, fiercely human, this is a book for anyone who's ever stood at the edge and wondered if there was a way back.