MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER, MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE & FACILITATOR

The power of hope and resilience.

From homelessness and severe mental health struggles to walking more than 800 miles across Britain, I share a true story of resilience, recovery and the power of human connection.

A message of hope.

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Discover my story

Corporate Events · Conferences · Schools · Universities

On paper, I had everything going for me

From the outside it looked like I was the guy that had it all.

I had amazing friends, a strong education, loving relationships, whilst also excelling both academically and athletically.

After receiving straight A's in my exams and also representing Leeds rugby academy from the age of 14; at 16 years old I was offered a full academic and sports bursary place to one of North England's highest performing private schools.

I went on to be selected for the England rugby junior squads, my academics remained strong, I was 'at the top of my game'. This led to being awarded the school prize for 'Academic success with extracurricular excellence' in my final year alongside being voted 'Best looking boy' in the leaver's yearbook.

This external success meant I was often labelled 'Mr Perfect' by others around me.

My next steps took me to the University of Newcastle where I attended as a sports scholar, graduating with an upper second class honours degree in Agricultural Business. I again had no struggle in making lifelong friends, displaying 'success' on all levels and in the eyes of others seemingly enjoying what student life had to offer.

After graduating I followed my dream of playing rugby in Australia. I found myself in the surf paradise of Noosa, Queensland. There I was apart of the 2020/2021 Premiership winning side. I surfed daily and basked in my dream lifestyle whilst being surrounded by nature.

From the outside it looked like life couldn't get any better.

I went on to represent the Sunshine Coast 7s rugby squad at national tournaments and shortly after accepted an unconditional offer to study a psychology masters degree in London. I also planned on returning to the UK after being approached to sign a semi professional rugby contract in England's third division.

However, underneath the external accolades was what people never saw. The teenage boy, young adult and now man that had been battling severe depression, severe anxiety, thoughts to take his own life and symptoms of complex PTSD for more than a decade.

On arriving back to UK to start my next chapter I was no longer able to maintain wearing that familiar mask that I had been hiding behind for so long.

What came next was something that no one could ever have predicted.

On paper, I had everything going for me

From the outside it looked like I was the guy that had it all.

I had amazing friends, a strong education, loving romantic relationships, whilst also excelling both academically and athletically.

After receiving straight A’s in my exams and also representing Leeds rugby academy from the age of 14, at 16 years old I was offered a full academic and sports bursary place to one of North England’s highest performing private schools.

I went on to be selected for the England rugby junior squads, my academics remained strong, I was ‘at the top of my game’. This led to being awarded the school prize for ‘Academic success with extracurricular excellence’ in my final year alongside being voted ‘Best looking boy’ in the leaver’s yearbook.

This external success meant I was often labelled ‘Mr Perfect’ by others around me.

My next steps took me to the University of Newcastle where I attended as a sports scholar, graduating with an upper second class honours degree in Agricultural Business. I again had no struggle in making lifelong friends, displaying ‘success’ on all levels and in the eyes of others seemingly enjoying what student life had to offer.

From the outside it looked like life couldn’t get any better.

I went on to represent the Sunshine Coast 7s rugby squad at national tournaments and shortly after accepted an unconditional offer to study a psychology masters degree in London; also returning to the UK after being approached to sign a semi professional rugby contract in England’s third division.

However, underneath the external accolades what people never saw was the teenage boy, young adult and now man that had been battling severe depression, severe anxiety, thoughts to take his own life and symptoms of complex PTSD for more than a decade.

On arriving back to UK to start my next chapter I was no longer able to maintain wearing that familiar mask that I had been hiding behind for so long.

What came next was something that no one could ever have predicted.

The battle I never saw coming

Almost instantly after retuning to the UK I found myself in an episode of severe depression that was more aggressive than I had ever experienced.

I soon lost cognitive functioning; unable to do simple tasks such as sending an email or making a sandwich. I was engulfed with immense fear to even leave my bedroom or home and intrusive thoughts to take my own life flooded my brain each hour of the day. I developed insomnia, disordered eating, extreme worthlessness, hopelessness and I had finally given up trying to fight what I had been battling in silence for years.

And with that, the identity I had built of 'Mr Perfect' came crashing down.

After becoming catatonic and essentially bed bound from spending over a year in my Dad's spare room with the curtains drawn closed, I began to take action on the suicidal thoughts; attempting to end it all for real.

Complications in my care led me to becoming homeless in Bradford, UK. It was here that I bounced around different homeless shelters for over a year with the same intrusive thoughts, difficult feelings and worsening cognitive function.

After being placed in social housing and being unable to function or care for myself I was admitted into a psychiatric hospital. I spent over three months here in what felt like a final attempt to salvage some sort of life for myself.

In the period of March 2022 to July 2025 I experienced suicidal thoughts 24 hours of every day and survived over 20 attempts to take my own life.

I had truly found myself at rock bottom and there were years when simply surviving another day felt impossible.

But fortunately, my story didn’t end there.

Through recovery, human connection and rediscovering a sense of purpose, I began rebuilding my life one small step at a time. What once felt like a story defined by hopelessness gradually became one of hope, resilience and the possibility of starting again.

In July 2025 I was discharged from the hospital.

I walked myself back to my social housing apartment alone with a rare second chance at life that myself and others believe to be somewhat of a miracle.

In 2026, after a year of reintegrating into society, I set out to walk and run the length of Great Britain. Covering over 800 miles by walking day after day whilst carrying everything I needed on my back for 9 weeks, from Land’s End to John o’Groats. I also ran my first ever marathon and ultramarathon through the Scottish mountains. This mission was not simply to test my physical limits, but to start conversations about mental health, challenge stigma and remind people that no matter how dark life becomes, there is always hope.

Whilst on the road I spoke to amateur and professional sports clubs, radio stations, journalists and a countless number of strangers about my story and the causes I was raising awareness for.

Today, I share the lessons I’ve learnt with your business, school, university or other communities to boost resilience and foster supportive relationships. Using my personal experiences I speak openly about adversity, the power of human connection and what it truly means to keep going when everything feels impossible.

I now live by the phrase “Anything is possible.”

The battle I never saw coming

Almost instantly after retuning to the UK I found myself in an episode of severe depression that was more aggressive than I had ever experienced.

And with that, the identity I had built of ‘Mr Perfect’ came crashing down.

After becoming catatonic and essentially bed bound from spending over a year in my Dad’s spare room with the curtains drawn closed, I began to take action on the suicidal thoughts; attempting to end it all for real.

In the period of March 2022 to July 2025 I experienced suicidal thoughts 24 hours of every day and survived over 20 attempts to take my own life.

I had truly found myself at rock bottom and there were years when simply surviving another day felt impossible.

But fortunately, my story didn’t end there.

In July 2025 I was discharged from the hospital.

I walked myself back to my social housing apartment alone with a rare second chance at life that myself and others believe to be somewhat of a miracle.

In 2026, after a year of reintegrating into society, I set out to walk and run the length of Great Britain, covering over 800 miles by walking day after day whilst carrying everything I needed on my back, from Land’s End to John o’Groats. I also completed running my first ever marathon and ultramarathon through the Scottish mountains. This missions was not simply to test my physical limits, but to start conversations about mental health, challenge stigma and remind people that no matter how dark life becomes, there is always hope.

Whilst on the road I spoke to amateur and professional sports clubs, radio stations, journalists and a countless number of strangers about my story and the causes I was raising awareness for.

I now live by the phrase “Anything is possible.”

In July 2025 I was discharged from the hospital.

I walked myself back to my social housing apartment alone with a rare second chance at life that myself and others believe to be somewhat of a miracle.

Whilst on the road I spoke to amateur and professional sports clubs, radio stations, journalists and a countless number of strangers about my story and the causes I was raising awareness for.

I now live by the phrase “Anything is possible.”

In July 2025 I was discharged from the hospital.

I walked myself back to my social housing apartment alone with a rare second chance at life that myself and others believe to be somewhat of a miracle.

In 2026, after a year of reintegrating into society, I set out to walk and run the length of Great Britain. Covering over 800 miles by walking day after day whilst carrying everything I needed on my back over 9 weeks, from Land’s End to John o’Groats. I also ran my first ever marathon and ultramarathon through the Scottish mountains. This mission was not simply to test my physical limits, but to start conversations about mental health, challenge stigma and remind people that no matter how dark life becomes, there is always hope.

Whilst on the road I spoke to amateur and professional sports clubs, radio stations, journalists and a countless number of strangers about my story and the causes I was raising awareness for.

I now live by the phrase “Anything is possible.”

THE BIG WALK & TALK

800+ miles by foot to carry a message of hope.

From Land’s End to John o’Groats, I travelled over 800 miles across Britain to raise vital funds and spread awareness of mental health, suicide prevention, homelessness and brain injuries in sport.

But The Big Walk & Talk was about far more than the miles.

It was a mission to challenge stigma, encourage honest conversations, spread hope, connection and to remind others that the possibility of a better future remains even in life's darkest moments.

800+

Miles across Britain

End to End

Land’s End to John o’Groats

3

Charity partners

PROUDLY SUPPORTING

Head For Change · Tackle Suicide · Inn Churches

SPEAKING & FACILITATING

Conversations that matter.

I bring my lived experience into rooms where honest conversations, fresh perspectives and human connection matter. Drawing on my personal journey through adversity, recovery and endurance challenges, I explore topics including resilience, mental wellbeing, purpose and the importance of supporting one another. Every engagement can be shaped around the audience, occasion and intended message.

Corporate & workplace events

Inspiring conversations within and beyond the workplace.

Speaking to teams and organisations about mental wellbeing, resilience, overcoming adversity, finding purpose and the power of connection. An opportunity to reflect on the challenges people may face beyond what is visible at work, alongside transferable messages to business based adversity and resilience in the professional world and business cultures.

Employee wellbeing events
Mental health awareness initiatives
Company conferences
Team sessions/workshops.
Internal inspirational talks
Leadership and culture sessions

Enquire about a corporate talk

Schools, colleges & universities

A message of hope for the next generation.

I share an honest, age-appropriate story about overcoming adversity, asking for help, navigating difficult periods and discovering a renewed sense of purpose. Talks can be tailored in collaboration with educators and wellbeing teams to suit the audience and safeguarding requirements.

School assemblies
Sixth-form / college events
University wellbeing programmes
Student mental health awareness events
Personal and group development sessions

Enquire about an education talk

Conferences & keynote events

An honest and human journey of hope. A message that stays with people.

From profound personal adversity to walking the length of Britain, I share a deeply human story of resilience, recovery and the courage to move forward. My keynote explores the power of hope, human connection and finding purpose through difficult experiences.

Conferences
Charity events
Mental health awareness campaigns
Leadership gatherings
Inspirational keynote sessions

Enquire about a keynote

The conversations worth having.

Resilience & recovery

Exploring what rebuilding can look like after profound adversity, and why progress is rarely linear.

Mental health & breaking stigma

Encouraging honest conversations, understanding and compassion around mental health challenges.

The power of human connection

Reflecting on the importance of kindness, listening, reaching out and being present for others.

Purpose after adversity

Exploring how lived experiences can shape meaning, motivation and positive change.

Hope & the courage to begin again

A reminder that difficult chapters need not define the entirety of someone’s story.

More than an inspiring story.

My talks are designed to create space for reflection, honest conversation and a renewed sense of perspective. Audiences may leave with:

A deeper understanding of the realities of mental health struggles and recovery.
A fresh perspective on resilience and overcoming adversity.
Greater awareness of the importance of human connection and support.
Encouragement to speak openly, listen without judgement and reach out when needed.
A reminder of the possibilities that can exist beyond difficult circumstances.

“Sometimes the most powerful thing we can offer another person is the reminder that they are not alone.”

Bringing the story into the room.

Because sometimes, one person's story can change another person's life.

UPCOMING EMPLOYEE SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT

Tropicana, London - NOVEMBER 2026

Let’s start a conversation.

Every meaningful conversation starts somewhere. Whether you're planning a corporate event, school assembly or conference, I'd love to hear from you.

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