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Jordan Japal talks about his struggles with anxiety and the impact that panic attacks have had on his life. He talks about the stigma around mental health, especially for men in the male-dominated world of sales, and how therapy and medication are helping him to manage his mental fitness. We cover the role of childhood in shaping his experience, the pressure of work and masculinity, and the trial-and-error process of finding support that actually worked for him. Here are the timestamps for the main questions: 00:00 Introduction 03:43 Why are you here today talking about your lived experiences of mental health? 08:23 How has your last week been? 11:15 How has your mental health journey evolved? 35:29 What were the lightbulb moments? 58:18 What’s the most important thing someone can do if they’re not sure where to start? Visit GoodEnoughChats.com for more information. Support the show via Buy Me a Coffee. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: HLWTL0FVY9K73UWK

Paul Lenihan talks about living with bipolar 2 disorder, and how long-term burnout, sleep deprivation, and unresolved childhood experiences shaped his mental health.  He explains how those patterns showed up later in adulthood, fatherhood, and relationships, and how the diagnosis finally gave him clarity.  We talk about how he’s managing bipolar now, what changed once he started the right treatment, and how he’s learning to respond differently to stress, work, and family life. Here are the timestamps for the main questions: 00:00 Intro 08:05 Why are you here today talking about your lived experiences of mental health? 13:21 How’s your last week been? 23:37 Where do you trace your first experiences of feeling low or more manic? 35:13 What were the lightbulb moments? 66:17 What’s the most important thing someone can do if they’re not sure where to start? Visit GoodEnoughChats.com for more information. Support the show via Buy Me a Coffee. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: HLWTL0FVY9K73UWK

Shaun McGrory talks about how burnout and unresolved childhood experiences shaped his mental health, and how those patterns later showed up in adulthood, parenthood, and relationships. Despite starting and leading a grassroots mental health support initiative at work, he explains how he still struggles with the feeling that he needs to carry the weight for others, and what changed once he began the work to help himself. We talk about how he’s managing his mental fitness now, and how it's changed in how he's responded to more recent challenges. Here are the timestamps for the main questions: 00:00 Intro 05:29 Why are you here today talking about your lived experiences of mental health? 10:17 How's your last week been? 33:35 How has your relationship with your mental health evolved? 45:51 What have been some of the lightbulb moments? 56:41 What are the most important things someone can do if they’re not sure where to start? Visit GoodEnoughChats.com for more information. Support the show via Buy Me a Coffee. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: HLWTL0FVY9K73UWK

In this episode, Howard Martin talks about how burnout crept up on him and took him into a state of crisis with his mental health, following the death of his Mum. He explains how he hid the extent of his difficulties from loved ones, looked for ways to make himself busier to distract himself from the thoughts going through his head, and how it felt when he hit rock bottom. He shares the recovery journey he's been on, what he's learned, and how he's mamaging his mental fitness differently because of it. Here are the timestamps for the main questions: 00:00 Intro 05:29 Why are you here today talking about your lived experiences of mental health? 07:33 How's your last week been? 10:34 How has your relationship with your mental health evolved? 30:11 Have there been any lightbulb moments for you? 44:08 What's the most important thing someone going through this can do? Visit GoodEnoughChats.com for more information. Support the show via Buy Me a Coffee.

Ryan Higgins struggled with his mental health after serving in the army, spending time in prison, and suffering an injury that led to him losing his left leg. In this episode, he talks candidly about the impact these things have had on his life, the dark places it’s taken him, and the things he does today to help keep his mental and physical fitness on track. You can follow Ryan here: https://www.instagram.com/ryansarmyofficial/ Learn more about Blesma here: https://www.blesma.org/ Visit Good Enough Chats for more information. Support the show via Buy Me a Coffee Chapters: 00:00 Intro04:15 Why are you here today talking about your lived experiences of mental health?09:13 How's your last week been?17:41 How has your relationship with your mental health evolved?42:06 Have there been any lightbulb moments for you?61:45 What's the most important thing someone going through this can do?

This chat features Sam Chessell, who shares his journey with mental health, resilience, and personal growth. The conversation covers a lot of ground, including: How his lifelong struggle with a speech stammer has shaped his understanding of vulnerability and self-acceptance.The trauma of baby loss and the influence of martial arts in empowering his mental resilience.The importance of community and honest conversations in breaking down barriers for men’s mental health.Why ongoing effort and self-compassion are vital in navigating mental health challenges. You can follow Sam here: https://www.instagram.com/platypus_coaching/ And check out the organisations Sam mentioned for more information on their work: Not Alone Newbury - https://www.notalonenewbury.co.uk/ STAMMA - https://stamma.org/ Visit https://goodenoughchats.com for more information about our show Support the show via https://buymeacoffee.com/goodenoughchats Chapters 00:00 Intro 10:00 Why are you here today talking about your lived experiences of mental health? 25:09 How's your last week been? 27:26 How has your relationship with your mental health evolved? 67:05 Have there been any lightbulb moments for you? 90:34 What's the most important thing someone going through this can do?

This chat features Ben Akers, co-founder and co-CEO of Talk Club, a UK men’s mental health charity focused on creating spaces for men to talk about what’s on their mind.   The conversation covers a lot of ground, including:   - How losing his friend, Steve, to suicide led to the foundation of Talk Club - The approach that the charity takes, and how you can use it to support people you care about – How are you, out of 10? -  His own mental health challenges and the community he leans on -  And why these conversations need to be framed around ‘mental fitness’   This is the first time we’ve had someone who leads a charity focused on men’s mental health on the show, but hopefully it’s the first of many.   You can connect with Ben here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benakers/   Find out more about Talk Club here: https://talkclub.org/   Visit https://goodenoughchats.com for more information.   Support the show via https://buymeacoffee.com/goodenoughchats   Chapters:   00:00 Intro 06:14 Why are you here today talking about your lived experiences of mental health? 09:52 How's your last week been? 19:26 How has your relationship with your mental health evolved? 52:41 Have there been any lightbulb moments for you? 65:09 What's the most important thing someone going through this can do?

In this episode, James Lambert talks about how he’s struggled with his sense of identity since his traumatic childhood, and the weight he has carried throughout his career and personal life as a result.   He talks about keeping a lid on things publicly, while in his head the pressure continued to mount, and how close he came to taking his own life before starting his recovery.   You can connect with James here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-lambert-822898/   Visit GoodEnoughChats for more information.   Support the show via Buy Me a Coffee   Chapters:   00:00 Intro 06:14 Why are you here today talking about your lived experiences of mental health? 09:52 How's your last week been? 19:26 How has your relationship with your mental health evolved? 52:41 Have there been any lightbulb moments for you? 65:09 What's the most important thing someone going through this can do?

This chat features Matt Adamson, a former corporate executive turned career coach, discussing his journey through burnout. Matt discusses the significance of recognizing early signals—like irritability or exhaustion—and the power of small, intentional steps such as walking, re-evaluating alcohol habits, and grounding in purpose to foster resilience. Throughout the conversation, Matt and Dan (also a burnout survivor) share their burnout journey and the lessons they've learned—from understanding the impact of negative inner voices to embracing grey areas in mood and success. You can connect with Matt here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattadamsoncoaching/ Visit https://goodenoughchats.com for more information. Support the show via https://buymeacoffee.com/goodenoughchats Chapters: 00:00 Intro 07:32 Why did you come on the show? 10:29 How was your last week? 21:09 How has your relationship with your mental health evolved? 59:59 Have there been any lightbulb moments for you? 74:10 What’s the most important thing someone going through this can do?

In this episode, James Kindred shares his lived experience of being diagnosed with autism and ADHD later in life, revealing how these conditions impacted his perception of social cues, learning, and daily functioning. From the struggles of fitting in during childhood to the nuanced effects of medication and coping strategies, his story highlights the importance of diagnosis as both an enlightenment and a challenge, especially given the limited support infrastructure post-diagnosis. James’s reflections on the spectrum of neurodivergence and the misconceptions around substances like alcohol and stimulants are both candid and enlightening, emphasizing that managing neurodiversity often involves small, deliberate changes rather than sweeping reforms. James discusses some of the tools—like writing tasks in a notebook, talking to himself, and using analogies like sensory booths and dashboards—to create mental clarity and emotional resilience. If you've found the episode helpful, it's also worth checking our James' own podcast, Big Bad Beautiful Brains here: https://j-kindred.com/podcast/ You can also connect with James here on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sketchybear/ Visit https://goodenoughchats.com for more information about GoodEnoughChats. Support the show via https://buymeacoffee.com/goodenoughchats Chapters: 00:00 Intro 05:59 Why did you come on the show? 09:05 How was your last week? 17:07 How has your relationship with your mental health evolved? 50:37 Have there been any lightbulb moments for you? 68:08 What’s the most important thing someone going through this can

Ben Howard shares his personal journey through mental health, identity crises, and fertility struggles. From childhood dreams of football stardom to grappling with the emotional aftermath of injury, career shifts, and infertility, his story reveals how pivotal moments can reshape our self-image and mental well-being. Ben discusses how he’s learned to accept his past, the importance of vulnerability, and how honest conversation—whether with a therapist, a friend, or simply through writing—has become a go-to. Throughout the episode, Ben emphasizes the importance of acceptance, seeking external help, and being open about struggles—especially for men who often shy away from support. You'll find Ben on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benhowardfitness/ And you'll find him on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/benhowardfitness/ Visit https://goodenoughchats.com for more information and support the show via https://buymeacoffee.com/goodenoughchats Chapters 00:00 Intro 05:21 Why did you come on the show? 08:06 How was your last week? 12:10 How has your relationship with your mental health evolved? 56:36 Have there been any lightbulb moments for you? 75:19 What’s the most important thing someone going through this can do?

This conversation covers John Stacey's journey of self-discovery and mental health awareness, from his initial scepticism to his acceptance and understanding of his own struggles.   It explores the impact of family dynamics on his emotional wellbeing, the behaviours that influenced him during his 20s, anxiety over becoming a dad himself, and much more besides.   You can find John here on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnstacey85/   Find out more about the show: https://goodenoughchats.com   Support the show with a small contribution via https://buymeacoffee.com/goodenoughchats   Chapters   00:00 Introduction   07:24 Why John's sharing his lived experiences   12:58 His last week   26:32 The evolution of his mental health journey   46:02 The lightbulb moments he's experienced   1:04:46 What's the most important thing someone can do if they're going through something like this at the moment?

☕ Support the show through Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/goodenoughchats After more than 35 conversations listening to other men’s stories, the tables turn – and it’s Dan’s turn in the chair. In this episode, guest host Ben Rogers interviews Dan Bowsher, founder and host of GoodEnoughChats, about his own experience of burnout, anxiety and clinical perfectionism. Dan talks about the years he spent pushing himself to exhaustion, the collapse that forced him to stop, and the long, uneven recovery that followed. He reflects on how therapy, medication and self-awareness helped him rebuild, what he’s learned about fear and avoidance, and the shift that came from finally realising that good enough is good enough. It’s an open and personal conversation about the lasting impact of burnout, the power of small steps, and what it means to live – and work – differently after coming through the fog. Here are the timestamps for our core questions: 0:00 – Dan’s opener and overview 2:09 – Intro to Dan 6:22 – Why did you come on the show? 11:44 – How was your last week? 15:35 – How has your relationship with your mental health evolved? 55:46 – Have there been any lightbulb moments for you? 1:06:56 – What’s the most important thing someone going through this can do? More info about the series: https://goodenoughchats.com If you’ve been affected by anything raised in this episode, please know you’re not alone. You can speak to someone at: • NHS – https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/ • CALM – https://www.thecalmzone.net/ • Samaritans – https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/ • Mind – https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/

☕ Support the show through Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/goodenoughchats When Ben Robins was suddenly made redundant after eight years in a job he’d built from the ground up, it shook both his confidence and his sense of identity. I triggered some deep reflection, confronting how much of his self-worth was tied to work, and how patterns of over-giving and self-criticism had left him burnt out and unfulfilled. Through therapy and gradual change, Ben began rebuilding with more self-compassion and a clearer understanding of what balance really means for him. In this episode, he talks about the shock of redundancy, learning to grieve the life he left behind, and the process of finding a more sustainable way forward, one that integrates family, business, and personal wellbeing. Here are the timestamps for our core questions: 0:00 – Dan’s opener and overview 1:42 – Intro to Ben 3:37 – Why did you decide now was the right time to share your story? 11:10 – How has your last week been? 17:10 – How has your relationship with your mental health evolved? 34:35 – Have there been any lightbulb moments for you? 45:42 – What’s the most important thing someone going through this can do? More info about the series: https://goodenoughchats.com If you’ve been affected by anything raised in this episode, please know you’re not alone. You can speak to someone at: • NHS – https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/ • CALM – https://www.thecalmzone.net/ • Samaritans – https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/ • Mind – https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/

☕ Support the show through Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/GoodEnoughChats ☕ Peter Shearman’s story will resonate with anyone who’s ever pushed themselves too hard for too long. A lifelong introvert working in a world that rewards extroversion, Peter spent years trying to meet expectations that didn’t quite fit. Over time, the constant pressure to perform, please and stay “on” caught up with him — leading to anxiety, exhaustion and eventually burnout. During the pandemic, things reached a breaking point. Disconnected from decision-making at work and fearing for the future, he finally sought help from his GP and began treatment for anxiety and depression. What followed was a long, non-linear recovery — from the physical and emotional crash, through medication and CBT, to rebuilding his sense of self-worth on healthier ground. In this episode, Peter talks about what he’s learned: why it took so long to ask for help, the role of shame in burnout, and how he now measures success by the quality of his actions, not their outcomes. It’s an honest, relatable conversation about pressure, recovery and learning to be kinder to yourself. Here are the timestamps for our core questions: 0:00 – Dan’s opener and overview 2:09 – Intro to Peter 6:22 – Why Peter came on the show 11:44 – How was your last week? 15:35 – How has your relationship with your mental health evolved? 55:46 – Have there been any lightbulb moments for you? 1:06:56 – What’s the most important thing someone going through this can do? More info about the series: https://goodenoughchats.com If you’ve been affected by anything raised in this episode, please know you’re not alone. You can speak to someone at: • NHS – https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/ • CALM – https://www.thecalmzone.net/ • Samaritans – https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/ • Mind – https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/