Human 38: Drew Mitchell

Commentator/panellist at Channel 9 and Stan Sport

In 2017, Drew Mitchell retired from professional rugby as Australia’s highest try scorer in World Cup history (14 tries over 3 World Cup’s). Over his career, he earned over 70 caps for the Wallabies, and made over 100 Super Rugby appearances for the Queensland Reds, Western Force, and NSW Waratahs combined. In 2013, he signed a two-year deal with Toulon in France, where he played more than 80 games for the club and secured several European and French crowns. Currently Drew works as a commentator/panellist at Channel 9 and Stan Sport.

Drew is a human mammal. Here are his thoughts:

What brings you the most joy in life?

To be honest, this is a difficult one to be able to tell you truthfully.

The most joy I get is spending time with people I genuinely love and care about, sharing an uncontrollable belly laugh with them, and sometimes just sitting in silence with them knowing we are there for one another. Seeing my family (on the rare occasions I’ve been able to in these past couple of years).

On the other hand, I’m searching for what brings me joy outside of those relationships. I miss the joys I became conditioned to playing rugby at every level for all those years - things that I’m finding hard to replicate. Perhaps it’s not about trying to replicate those joys of old, but finding a new passion which brings me joys I’ve not yet experienced.

What does success mean to you?

To me, success is when you look back at something and know deep inside that you wouldn’t have changed a thing. Perhaps you fell short in the eyes of others, but if in your own heart and mind you truly wouldn’t have changed anything, to me that is success.

What do you see as your greatest achievement?

It hasn’t happened yet. I’m proud of what I’ve done but when it’s all said and done, and my time is up, I don’t want my greatest achievement to have been reached by the time I was 37. I don’t know what it is or what part of my life it’ll be in, but I haven’t yet achieved it.

What are you most grateful for?

My relationships. I don’t have a huge circle but my circle is tight! My family and my close friends, their support, their challenges and their love is what I’m most grateful for.

What is something most people don’t know about you?

I’ve had cataracts in my right eye from birth, so I’ve learnt to manage with only the sight in my left eye. Growing up with a pirate patch over my good eye to try and strengthen the weak one, having to play rugby on the right wing until I learnt to move my head more because I had no peripheral vision on the right side. I guess I’ve never known any different, so it’s never been ‘poor me’, I just learnt to adapt. 

Who or what has had the biggest influence on your life?

I know this may sound cliché, but it’s my truth. It’s my family and the upbringing I was afforded.

Just about all the male influences in my life growing up were in the military. RESPECT was engrained from my beginning. DISCIPLINE as well - if I commit to something or someone, I do it until the task is done or until I need to ask for help. And PUNCTUALITY - my time is no more precious than anyone else’s, so if I say I’ll be somewhere at some point, I’ll be there 5 minutes early. Then, I get my softer, more vulnerable side from my mum. I also get so much strength from her.

What do you regret?

Too many things to list. People who say they regret nothing, I believe aren’t being honest with themselves. We’ve all been an asshole at times, said things or treated people in a way we would’ve done different given the time again.

There is no shame in regret, only if you’re regretting the same things over and over.

Has there been a defining moment in your life? Can you tell us about it?

I think my rugby career because for the majority of those 15 (or so) years I was defined as a rugby player, and that was it. When people asked, I defined myself as a rugby player, but in this crazy navigation of retirement and finding my next challenge, I’m realising there is so much more to who I am and what I can offer.

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I had a few professions that got my obsession for short periods, but the consistent ones were in sport. I wanted to win the 100m Olympic gold medal, play league and/or union for Australia - I got pretty tunnel visioned on those dreams/goals in my early teenage years.

If you could pick one thing to be the best in the world at instantly, what would you choose?

Being kind to people. Going back to your first question, doing something for someone else brings me joy. It’s also so hard to do consistently (something I need to get better at). We have so much negativity in front of us these days with the news, social media, gossipers, etc. that make it easy for us to slip into a ‘nasty’ side of ourselves. Imagine being the kindest person in the world?!... might not make a great Marvel movie, but I think the world could do with it.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Trust your instincts more. Don’t get caught up in the spin and see things/opportunities/people for what and who they are.

What is the most important thing we can teach kids in school?

Respect.

Respect for themselves, respect for their peers, respect for others and the environment.

I learnt so much shit at school that I have NEVER come across in my life… I bet kids are still reading To Kill A Mockingbird!

If you could have a conversation with anyone, living or dead, who would you choose and why?

My grandfather Rex who passed. He was just a great man who I respected and loved so much. I’d ask him if I’m on the right path.

What do you doubt most?

Myself. I have come from an environment where I was so confident and so assured of my role and my knowledge. Now I’m starting as the rookie in whatever I do. I know there are transferable skills in many ways, but experience eliminates doubt and until I get that experience, doubt creeps in.

When did you last have a significant change of mind?

Probably when COVID hit in 2020. I was on my way to New York to play rugby again after being retired for a few years. Whilst the opportunity was a great one, I think I was trying to fill some of the voids I was having difficulties filling in retirement and felt another year or two would help. In hindsight, it would’ve only prolonged it and COVID intervening, along with a good chat with the Rugby United New York CEO Rick Salizzo, probably helped in a big way.

What is the role of luck in our lives?

I’m not sure I believe in luck. I think if you put yourself in a position to succeed enough times or you’ve done the work to get an opportunity, then you’ll more often than not get ‘lucky’. I think people who judge others as being ‘lucky’ are the ones who haven’t put in the same level of work to get what that other person has.

Do you have a favourite quote? What is it? Why do you like it?

“I am somebody. I am me. I like being me. And I need nobody to make me somebody” by Louis L’Amour. I like it because it’s about taking control and making something of yourself, instead of waiting for someone to gift you an opportunity or do the work for you.

What would you do with your life if you had unlimited financial resources?

More money more problems! Isn’t that what they say?!

I’d be sleeping in some better digs than I am right now!

Of course, I’d love to be in a position for myself and my loved ones to not want for anything, but just thinking about unlimited financial resources kind of gives me a headache. Let’s just say bookkeeping isn’t a strong point of mine – haha!

If you could have the definitive answer to a single question, what would you ask?

When will I die? People are always telling us to live each day as if it’s your last, but do we?… I think if I knew when it was coming, I could definitely squeeze a little more out of this life.

What concept/fact/idea should every human on the planet understand?

That we are here on Earth for a fleeting moment… but we can still fuck it up with the choices we make for future generations in that short time.

Do human beings have free will?

I think humans have free will, but the choices you make don’t mean you’re free from consequence.

Do you believe in God?

I wrestle with this one to be honest. I’m a bit more of ‘I’ve gotta see it to believe it!’ type of guy. I do believe there is something stronger guiding us and, for me, I believe it’s my loved ones who have passed. That’s who I turn to, who I talk to, when I need some reassurance. 

Could we be living in a simulated universe?

Mate! That’s too deep for my brain to comprehend… keep me away from the upside down world unless I have Eleven by my side! (Stranger Things)

Will the continual development of technology have a net positive or negative influence on humanity?

It needs to have a net positive influence because it’s not going to stop. Technology will continue to evolve and advance at great rates and we need to be prepared to help with any ramifications or consequences that arise from that. Similar to what we’re seeing with the impact social media is having on people’s mental health, body image issues, unrealistic expectations etc. The tech will always advance, but we also have to be better at being proactive with any possible negatives that it may bring.

What is the single greatest achievement of humanity?

That we still exist. Sounds morbid, but there is just way too much hate in the world at the moment and I really don’t want it to turn nuclear. (Pun intended).

What do you see as the biggest existential threat to humanity?

Having the wrong people sitting at the table making decisions which directly impact humanity today, and generations to come.

What does it mean to live a good life?

To be surrounded by people you love, respect and trust. 

What is a good death?

One that doesn’t hurt and comes at a time when I’m at peace with it.

What question should I have asked you?

Question number one should’ve been: Drew, how are you doing mate? And when are we catching up for a beer?!

Thanks for your time, Drew!

Twitter: drew_mitchell

Instagram: drew_mitchell

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