Life coach Linda Mbagwu had a difficult start in her own childhood: at eight, she was working to boost the family’s income. Later, the pressure that she put on herself to succeed, as well as a failed relationship, led to anxiety and depression. Linda learned techniques to keep herself grounded and reframe her thinking, including […]
Videos
Related content
Getting to the next level of life, Linda Mbagwu
Irish Musician & Rugby International, Niall Breslin
Niall Breslin has been both a professional rugby player and a musician, fronting the band The Blizzards. He went through anxiety and depression when he was injured in his sport. He finds athletes are prone to ‘struggling with their heads’. Niall decided to talk in public about his mental health after experiencing a panic attack […]
Life after, life with, Alice Liveing
Alice Liveing is a personal trainer, author and wellbeing influencer. She experienced depression and anxiety after several years of suppressing memories of an abusive relationship, and went through panic attacks and night terrors. Now, Alice says, she knows that she can get back up and come through those feelings. Alice tells us that it took […]
Labour MP, Jess Phillips MP
The Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley, Jess Phillips, says that she often wakes up anxious about the day ahead. Some of her anxieties are all too real as she is often the target of vicious online abuse and has experienced the effects of terrorist attacks. But as Jess says, having gone through eating disorders and […]
British Rapper, Poet and Musician, Dizraeli (Rowan Sawday)
Rowan Sawday, who performs as Dizraeli, is a rapper, poet and musician. When he was so depressed that he couldn’t listen to music any more, he admitted that he needed help. With the aid of meditation, mindfulness and exercise, as well as therapy, he found his feet again. He says that as a culture, we […]
We’re On the Same Team, Josh Smiiffy
Musician Rapper Josh Smiiffy found himself isolated as a child and severely depressed and suicidal as a teenager. He found help in writing and performing his own music. Although he still suffers, he says, from ‘more downs than ups’ he is keen to see more help for children. Josh would like more arts and sports […]
Former Olympic Gold Paralympian, Anne Usher MBE
Paralympic Champion Anne Usher was a physiotherapist and competitive cyclist until a back injury left her unable to ride, or to heal herself. She felt an inward spiral of failure and feeling she was the victim. Volunteering for the London Olympics in 2012 was “one of the best tonics” and led to a chance meeting with […]
Being Friends With the Monster, Stolar
Musician and songwriter Stolar says that from a young age, he always had heightened emotions — what he calls ‘emotional superpowers’. But by the time he was studying at NYU, those feelings were running out of control. He has been diagnosed with depression and bipolar disorder. With bipolar in the family, his relatives were able […]
Explorer & Round the World Record Holder, Sarah Outen
Adventurer Sarah Outen is an adventurer by land and sea. Her recent expeditions have included an attempt to travel around the northern hemisphere solely by human power. Sarah says she’s never been fearless. Sometimes she’s found that the most dangerous part of any journey is not the physical danger she’s found herself in, but what […]
Former CEO of Unilever, Paul Polman
When he was chief executive of Unilever, Paul Polman was responsible for 175,000 employees. Among them, there were those that had mental health issues. Paul led the creation of a culture where everyone is only one click away from whatever help they might need. Their approach was founded on four pillars of wellbeing: physical, emotional, […]
Former Government Mental Health Ambassador, Natasha Devon MBE
Former Government Advisor on Mental Health Natasha Devon is a former advisor to the government on child mental health. She has personal experience of anxiety and eating disorders herself. Natasha would like to see a society where children are taught how to develop healthy habits that will stand them in good stead in the future. […]
You Can’t See Mental Pain, Mim Shaikh
Radio Host Broadcaster Mim Shaikh grew up with his mother suffering from severe mental health issues. It wasn’t until he went to school that he realised his family was different from others. However, today he feels this experience has helped him to become more sensitive and empathetic towards others going through mental pain. It’s also […]











