A long & winding road
My mental health recovery didn't just happen overnight. I had the support of my incredible wife Amber. We've even written a book about our journey together through the minefield of mental health.
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AS FEATURED BY
MY JOURNEY
2015
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Survived multiple suicide attempts
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Formally diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, PTSD and Social Anxiety Disorder
2018
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Founded Mental Health Runner
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Delivered my talk on The Fight For Survival In The War Against Yourself at TEDxBrayfordPool
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Voted Runner Up SUNDRIED Health Blog Of the Year
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Began delivering talks and workshops at UK Schools, Colleges & Businesses
2019
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Won the Active Lincolnshire Active Change Award
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Elected Service User Governor for Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
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Started Run Talk Run Lincoln
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Delivered more talks and workshops at UK Schools, Colleges & Businesses
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Ran the Virgin Money London Marathon
2020
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Joined the Brooks Run Happy Team
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Authored and published Surviving The War Against Yourself with my incredible wife
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Qualified as a Leader in Running Fitness (LiRF) through Athletics England
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Continued delivering talks and workshops at UK Schools, Colleges & Businesses
THE FUTURE
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The Pennine Run
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Help more people experience running for mental and physical health
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Expand to deliver talks and workshops with Schools, Colleges, Businesses & Organisations world wide to raise mental and physical health awareness
MY STORY
My mental health journey began shortly after I graduated with my degree – Unfortunately the old adage was true; one door closed, as another opened.
Almost overnight I was thrown into the world of mental health crisis; a world where hearing and seeing things became normal. I experienced psychosis and almost daily suicide attempts. Eventually I found running as a key contributor to speeding up my mental health recovery.
Now that I’m closer towards recovery I want to prevent anyone else going through what I did. I want to help people see that running, or any exercise, is a way of helping improve their mental health.
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All the way through my story, my amazing wife was with me. She was, and always will be, my rock and my guiding light. Among other things, Amber and I have now written a book - Surviving The War Against Yourself - which tells both sides of our story; both patient and carer.
MY TEDx TALK
I was honoured to be selected to speak at TEDxYouth@BrayfordPool 2018. My talk continues to engage with new people every day spreading the message that if 1 in 4 people suffer from mental health problems 3 people can save a life.
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TEDxBrayfordPool helped me share my story for the first time in as an advocate, not a patient, and I've been lucky enough to work with them to continue to to help young people share their "ideas worth spreading".
Visit the TEDxBrayfordPool website to find out more about this amazing community led series of events.