19/11/2025
This is me.
A coach.
A man.
And this is Men's Mental Health Day.
When you look at me, you'll see a smile. When you work with me, I will put my heart and soul into coaching you to help you be the best that you can be.
What you won't see is everything underneath, so let's get real.
Nearly a decade ago I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression. At the time I was working in a school in a job I loved. I collapsed without any warning (or I at least ignored any possible warning).
That could have been the end and I could have said screw it to the world because life had changed.
I'm still here. Sometimes I wonder how but I am.
I left that job. Since then I've worked in education, the third sector, and theatre.
Since my diagnosis, I've launced/relaunched two youth centres, created and delivered an education programme nationally across the UK, been a mentor to SEN children, been an Executive Assistant to a university professor (which included contact with the UN!), helped organise conferences, ran fundraisers, published a book, got a song on Spotify, had a play performed in a theartre, and more.
If that wasn't enough, I set up my own coaching business to help others.
There have been amazing days. There have been rough days.
I'm still going BUT there are many men who are at the point who feel they can't keep going. Where their mental health is suffering. We lose 14 of them every single day. 14 A DAY! Around one every two hours.
Men's mental health is so important but isn't discussed nearly enough with a stigma still that we should man up, stiff upper lip, and not bother others because we're men.
Men, open up. You're not soft for doing it. Men, take care too yourselves. Do what makes your heart sing. And to everyone else, check in on the men you care about.
What does self care look like? It could be sitting talking over a coffee, taking a run, learning about mental health and coping strategies, a bath, and loads more.
Here's an example of my self care week this week....
Hotel stay. Meals cooked for me. Hot chocolates throughout the day. Impromptu piano concert. Pool, sauna, steam room, and whirlpool bath each night. Shopping. Crafting. Writing. Reading. Walks to see Christmas lights. Tomorrow, a full body massage.
It doesn't need to be massive.
If nothing else, use any means necessary to connect with another human you trust who will remind you in no uncertain terms how fantastic you are.
Men, you matter.
And men, read that again...and again...and again....