Willie Mason Now: Career, ADHD, Family & More in 2025

If you remember Willie Mason as the hard-hitting Bulldogs forward who could rile up a stadium, you might be surprised by what he’s up to now. The former NRL star has traded the scrum for a microphone and a coaching whistle, and along the way he’s been open about a diagnosis that shaped his playing career.

Full name: William Marshall Mason ·
Born: 15 April 1980 (per Wikipedia) ·
Nickname: Big Willie ·
Current role: Podcast co-host & pathways coach ·
Podcast: Levels Network

Five facts about Willie Mason, one pattern: his public identity has shifted from on-field enforcer to media personality and coach, with his ADHD diagnosis re-emerging as a key part of the story.

What is Willie Mason doing now?

Current roles as pathways coach and podcast host

• Willie Mason co-hosts the Levels Network podcast with Justin Horo, a show that reviews and previews NRL games (Apple Podcasts).
• The podcast has been active since 2023 and has produced 100 episodes as of June 2025 (Apple Podcasts).
• According to Wikipedia, Mason also serves as a pathways coach and ambassador, though specific details of that role are not widely reported.
• A live podcast event is scheduled for 3 November 2025 at BrewDog Stadium in St Helens, UK, with tickets priced at £15 per person (BrewDog Stadium).

The pattern: Mason’s post-NRL career is centred on rugby league commentary, not a complete departure from the sport. The live event in the UK signals a growing international audience.

Does Willie Mason have ADHD?

ADHD disclosure in 2004

• In 2004, Bulldogs head coach Steve Folkes publicly disclosed that Willie Mason had been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ABC News).
• ABC News reported that the diagnosis was confirmed by assessments conducted the previous year, with Mason’s consent (ABC News).
• The Bulldogs were seeking permission for Mason to use medication to treat ADHD, because such medications were prohibited in the NRL at the time (ABC News).
• ABC described Mason’s ADHD as severe, linking it to impulsivity, inconsistency, memory problems, irritability, and inappropriate behaviour (ABC News).

The implication: the disclosure forced the NRL to reconsider its medication policy, setting a precedent for future athlete health disclosures.

What is Willie Mason’s real name?

Birth name: William Marshall Mason

• According to Wikipedia, his full birth name is William Marshall Mason.
• He is widely known as “Big Willie”, a nickname he earned during his playing days.

The implication: the formal name “William Marshall Mason” is rarely used in media coverage, but it’s the name on his official records.

Does Willie Mason have children?

Willie Mason is known to have children, but the number and names of his children are not publicly confirmed. This information remains private, and no reliable source has disclosed details about his family.

Timeline

• 2000s–2010s: Plays professional rugby league in the NRL for the Bulldogs, Roosters, and other clubs.
• 2004: ADHD diagnosis publicly disclosed by Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes (ABC News).
• 2023–2025: Co-hosts the Levels podcast with Justin Horo; 100 episodes produced (Apple Podcasts).
• 2025: Live podcast event scheduled at BrewDog Stadium, St Helens (BrewDog Stadium).

The pattern: the timeline underscores his reinvention from enforcer to entrepreneur.

Clarity check

The upshot: while some details remain private, his public narrative is well-documented.

In his own words

“The Bulldogs are seeking permission for Mason to use medication to treat the condition because such medications are prohibited in the sporting context.”

— ABC News report on the 2004 ADHD disclosure (ABC News)

“Willie Mason and Justin Horo are the team behind the Levels Podcast, which reviews and previews NRL games and provides tips.”

— BrewDog Stadium event page (BrewDog Stadium)

For NRL fans and those following Mason’s post-playing career, the choice is clear: he’s building a media brand that leans on his rugby league credibility, not a clean break from the sport. The live show in St Helens shows the appetite for his content extends beyond Australia. For fans in the UK, the opportunity to see him in person arrives in November 2025.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• ADHD Medication in Ireland: Types, Side Effects, Pros & Cons
• Luke Bateman: NRL Player, Farmer, TikTok Book & Reality Star