From the Heart: The inspirational memoir of how a captain became a leader

When Trent Cotchin was handed the reins of Richmond Football Club’s team in 2013, he was a 22-year-old star, skilful and fearlessly hard at the ball. Coming off a Brownlow Medal-winning season, he embraced the captaincy and continued his quest to get the most out of himself for the benefit of the club.

Yet by the end of 2016, Trent was suffering from serious self-doubt. The media and fans were circling, questioning the club’s leadership and culture, demanding answers for their poor performance in finals.

With nothing to lose and facing down his own fear of failure, Trent put himself on the line in a new way. He laid himself bare and asked his teammates to do the same. Vulnerability – a foreign word to tough footballers back then – gave the players an incredible connection that resulted in the 2017 premiership, breaking a 37-year drought. Trent went on to lead the team to two more flags in 2019 and 2020, cementing his place in Tiger history.

Trent’s personal journey involved doing the hard work to shift his focus from ‘me’ to ‘we’, abandoning the hunt for perfection in his own game for a more selfless – and ultimately more fulfilling – role. By leading with love and empathy, he brought out the best in those around him.

With unflinching honesty and generosity, Trent shares the lessons he learnt in the hope that it will help others to live more authentically. This book is his legacy.