From Silence to Support: Addressing Suicidal Thoughts and Mental Health with Martin Williams

Content warning: This episode discusses suicide and mental health challenges. If you’re affected, please reach out to a mental health professional or confidential helplines. UK: Samaritans 116 123; US: 988. If you’re in another region, please contact your local crisis line.

Have you ever come across someone who makes a profound impact on you, the very first time you meet them? This is Martin Williams, a recently retired partner and employment tribunal advocate from Mayo Wynne Baxter. He was also a member of Ampa, the UK’s leading legal and professional services group and one of the largest professional services B-Corporations in the world.

In this deeply moving episode, we talk about the realities of mental health, leadership, and the power of vulnerability. Martin bravely shares his personal journey, including the challenges he’s faced and the lessons he’s learned about being open, seeking help, and supporting others. This conversation is raw, honest, and full of insights for anyone seeking understanding, support, or inspiration on their mental health journey.

Summary:
💡 Explore mental health challenges faced in high-achieving careers.
💡 Find out why asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
💡 Get inspired by Martin’s journey from silence to openness and the impact it had on his life.

Here’s to your health and wellbeing.

Estelle Read xx
Bestselling Author, Coach & Speaker

Timestamps:
0:00 – Welcome to the Optimising Your Brilliance Podcast
0:40 – Introduction: About Estelle Read
1:04 – Why this episode matters: Martin’s background and the importance of talking about mental health
2:13 – The impact of not talking and Martin’s leadership philosophy
2:36 – The reality of suicidal thoughts in the boardroom
2:57 – Support resources and the importance of reaching out
3:14 – Introducing Martin Williams
3:33 – How Estelle and Martin connected; the power of a heartfelt LinkedIn post
3:53 – Martin’s origin story: family, childhood, and early challenges
6:45 – From music to law: Martin’s career journey
14:40 – The role of arts, advocacy, and confidence-building
19:55 – Coping with isolation, bullying, and building resilience
24:41 – The power of vulnerability: Martin’s viral LinkedIn post
27:00 – The healing impact of sharing and community support
33:45 – Journaling, self-reflection, and processing emotions
41:39 – Mentoring, overcoming labels, and advice to the younger self
49:47 – Letting go of perfection and embracing openness
58:39 – The importance of non-judgmental listening and support
1:09:39 – What’s next for Martin: mentoring, poetry, and legacy
1:11:52 – Final thoughts: authenticity, learning, and looking after yourself
1:13:22 – Outro: Subscribe, share, and connect with Estelle

Listen on your favourite podcast platform by searching for ‘Optimising Your Brilliance’.

Connect with Estelle Read:
www.linkedin.com/in/estelleatbeee/
For free resources, book a discovery call or join The Resilient Leader Programme: SHINE, or The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXT LEVEL, visit ⁠www.EstelleRead.com⁠

Connect with Martin Williams:
www.linkedin.com/...williams-900a5a13/

Get support from the Samaritans:
Call them anytime: 116 123
www.samaritans.org/

Please Help Us Grow So We Can Continue:
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review or share it with someone who might benefit.

Thanks for listening to the Optimising Your Brilliance Podcast!

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice.

#MentalHealth #SuicidePrevention #MensMentalHealth #BreakTheStigma
#AuthenticLeadership #Vulnerability #ImposterSyndrome #PersonalGrowth
#Mentoring #Journaling #ExecutiveCoaching #WorkLifeBalance
#Resilience #LegalProfession #Podcast #Wellbeing #YouAreNotAlone
#ShareYourStory

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