Chris Judd praises Ben Cousins as he advances to Dancing With The Stars semi-finals – after the AFL legend said the show will help him rebuild his life

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As a dedicated follower of both Australian football and the inspiring comebacks of troubled sports figures, I must say that Ben Cousins’ journey is nothing short of remarkable. Having watched him rise to fame as an AFL legend and subsequently struggle with personal demons, it’s heartening to see him taking steps towards rebuilding his life.

Chris Judd has shared a tribute to Ben Cousins as the troubled footballer makes a career comeback. 

As a long-time fan of Dancing With The Stars and having watched numerous seasons, I must admit that I am genuinely impressed by the performance of the AFL star in this year’s semi-finals. Having followed his career closely, it is clear to me that he has put in a tremendous amount of effort and dedication to learn the dance routines, and it shows in every move he makes on the dance floor. I am rooting for him to take home the trophy and cannot wait to see what he will bring to the table in the upcoming performances. Kudos to him for stepping out of his comfort zone and showing us all that he is not just a talented athlete but also a versatile performer. Keep it up, AFL star!

As someone who’s spent countless hours watching Dancing with the Stars over the years, I must say, Ben, you’re absolutely killing it out there! Keep shining and making us proud.

He laughed and said, “I’ve been quite impressed with a few of your ensembles, especially the red silk shirt. I’ve been searching everywhere in town for one similar, but I haven’t found it yet!”

Based on my years of experience as a former athlete, I can attest that even though it has been some time since my footy days, the hard work and dedication required to excel in sports never truly fades away. Back then, there was always a bit of grind involved, be it honing my skills or pushing through physical exhaustion during practices. And looking back, I can confidently say that those experiences have shaped me into the person I am today.

In truth, it’s wonderful to witness your joy and attempting something fresh. Wishing you nothing but the best; may everything turn out splendidly for you!

As a lifestyle connoisseur, let me tell you, Chris Judd exudes elegance and charm that we can’t help but admire. He’s truly a shining star! On the rare instances where I found myself caught up in the rhythm, he was there, watching me dance back then.

‘My unique style, if you could call it that, wasn’t graceful. Dancing has never been my strong suit, but I can keep going for an incredibly long time! For me, it’s more about stamina than skill.’

Cousins has been rebuilding his life in recent years after a fall from grace. 

The 45-year-old AFL legend revealed hat part of his redemption arc will include reality TV. 

The soccer player claims that Channel Seven’s SAS Australia, famous for recruiting contentious public figures, reached out to him on more than one occasion.

Initially, Ben declined, but this year, he consented to participate in Dancing with the Stars. He stated that taking on a fresh challenge would help him in his efforts to reconstruct his life.

The athlete informed the Herald Sun that he had previously agreed to participate in the dance competition, as far back as 2008, but later decided against it.

As I currently find myself in an excellent frame of mind, ripe for embracing fresh opportunities, this recent proposition has surfaced, and for the first time in a while, I feel ready to seize it.

‘This worked for where I was at mentally and wanting to throw myself into something.’ 

As a lifestyle expert, I can share that when it comes to my personal journey of rebuilding my life, I understand the allure of seeking an instant solution. However, I wholeheartedly believe in the importance of patience and hard work. In other words, I’m ready to put in the time and effort required, understanding that there is no shortcut or easy way out. It’s about paying my dues and staying committed to the process, one step at a time.

He acknowledged, “I’m fully aware, without a doubt, of the effort and dedication required to return to my current position.”

‘It is the long game… You don’t just do something and then all of a sudden it changes overnight.’

In 2005, Ben was awarded the Brownlow Medal, and he led the West Coast Eagles as captain from 2001 to 2005. During these seasons, he won the club’s best and fairest award on four separate occasions.

He played 238 games and booted 205 goals for the West Coast Eagles, where he won a premiership with the club in 2006. 

From 2007 onwards, his steep downfall became quite public knowledge. This was due to his open struggle with substance abuse and the challenging period he went through following his broken relationship with Maylea Tinecheff.

He was later sacked and copped a one year ban from the AFL for repeated infringements.

In 2021, Susan Backshell, who has been guiding Cousins since his previous imprisonment, shared with Daily Mail Australia that he is entirely devoted to his children.

Spending his sixth stint in a chilly, confined detention center over a period of 13 years, Cousins made up his mind that he had endured enough misery for seven long months in 2020 while incarcerated.

As a die-hard admirer, I found myself confronting him with a stern message: “You’ve got one shot, give your absolute best, or walk away completely.”

Ever since Cousins was freed from detention in December 2020, Backshell has never doubted his dedication to staying sober and improving his community.

Last summer, it was announced that my cousin would be taking part in numerous speaking events as part of his “Such Is Life” tour, which commenced in July.

Sharing unheard stories about his football journey, this tour served as a form of release or healing for the contentious Brownlow Medal winner.

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2024-08-09 14:51