EXCLUSIVE: Near-fatal spiral Harry Garside almost repeated as boxer opens up on 'terrible' past decisions

Harry Garside won the hearts of a nation when he became the first Aussie to medal in boxing at an Olympic Games in more than three decades.

He claimed bronze at Tokyo 2020.

He almost lost his life that same year when he spiralled into a drug binge and overdosed.

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When he crashed out of last year's Games in Paris and broke down in a heartbreaking live TV interview, he feared it was happening again.

"I think in that moment in Paris I was scared I was going to do the exact same thing," Garside tells Wide World of Sports almost 11 months on from his raw Nine interview.

"That initial point in the post-fight press conference in Paris when I spoke about how I was quite terrified of what the next few months had in store for me... I think I said that because when I have failed in the past, in sport or in life, some of the decisions that I made to get through hard things were really terrible, and really detrimental."

This time, Garside managed to haul himself away from the demons.

"I'm really grateful that over the last 11 months I collected evidence that I'm evolving into a man. I collected evidence that I turn to much better things to look after myself, instead of doing the things in 2020 when I went through hardship," he says.

"Not saying the last 11 months weren't difficult, but I just feel like I chose better things and looked after myself a lot better than what I had done in the past."

Garside was 16 years old the first time he thought about his own mental health.

A man called Ryder Jack gave a presentation at Garside's high school and what he said struck a chord with the promising teenage athlete.

The pair began speaking and the Tomorrow Man facilitator took Garside under his wing.

"He came to my school and ran a workshop through The Reach Foundation. He actually became my mentor over the next two or three years which was pretty cool," Garside says.

"It's about creating a conversation around men's mental health... not just men but all people.

"I think The Reach Foundation gave me a platform to delve into myself, and not be afraid of what I found.

"It is so important for us as adults to create spaces for young people, and all people, to delve inside themselves and not be afraid to show the world exactly who they are.

"I am so grateful that I got that at 16 because it really did encourage me to live a life more authentic to who I was, and not be afraid of what I found when I did delve inside. If I did find something I maybe didn't like, then they gave me a platform to adapt it or evolve it or change it, and ever since then, over the last 10 or 15 years I've been on a little weird journey trying to do that for myself."

Many might see boxing and being open about your feelings as a contradiction.

In the world of professional sport - especially in combat arenas like boxing - showing any vulnerability can open yourself up to disaster.

But Garside says the sport helped him realise what was most important.

"It's a weird thing. I think if I didn't start boxing 20 years ago I don't think I would have had the courage to go and delve inside and discover who I was," he says.

"This sounds silly, but the fact I feel like I can protect myself for the most part, in that I have a bit of confidence within myself in that I'm not afraid to delve inside and show the world exactly who I am.

"I'm trying to encourage more people to do that, start the journey of curiosity, and don't be afraid of what you find. For me, boxing was a massive thing that gave me the confidence to not be afraid of what people say if I show something that's a little bit left of centre.

"I refuse to fall in line and be like the person in front of me. That sounds like a prison sentence almost.

"I'm really grateful that boxing gave me that confidence, and places like The Reach Foundation gave me a bit of confidence to not feel judged."

Garside will join a national call to action when he addresses a Solid Mates event in Melbourne on Monday evening.

The organisation - founded by Melbourne man Jack Davis - aims to "equip men with the tools to show up, check in and open up".

Garside and Davis are aiming to raise $100,007 for mental health organisations Tomorrow Man and It's Cool To Cry. The figure is a symbol of the seven men who die by suicide in Australia on average each day.

Garside doesn't pretend to be a prophet or an expert, but he hopes addressing the event can help save a life.

"We are on a spinning rock in the middle of nowhere. My mum always said to me if you can leave the world in a better place than when you found it then you're doing the right thing, and that is something I've tried to live by as much as I can," he said.

"I am a deeply flawed individual, and I don't always live to what I say. I think that's the beauty of being human, is how imperfect we are.

"But I try to lift people up as much as I can, lend a hand when I see someone in need. Monday night is a time people can get together and listen, learn, be curious about themself and their life and want to be better."

Information and tickets to the Solid Mates event can be found at itscooltocry.com.

If you or anyone you know needs immediate support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via lifeline.org.au. In an emergency, call 000