There was a point not that long ago when I was ready to walk away from everything.

The business.

The pressure.

The responsibility.

Not because I didn’t care, but because I was exhausted in a way that sleep doesn’t fix.

From the outside, things looked successful. The business was growing. We were winning awards. Clients were happy. But internally, I was burnt out, overwhelmed, and making decisions from a place of pain instead of clarity.

I’m sharing this here because mental health struggles in business are far more common than we admit — and far less talked about than they should be.

This topic is something I recently wrote about in a local magazine (you can read the full article here — link to be added). But I wanted to share a more personal version here on my own platform.

The Pressure We Don’t Talk About in Business

When you run a business, there’s no real “off” switch.

Even when you’re home, your mind is still calculating:

  • payroll

  • client outcomes

  • marketing performance

  • cash flow

  • team morale

  • future strategy

You carry responsibility for people’s livelihoods. You’re expected to be steady. Calm. Confident. Decisive.

There’s an unspoken belief that if you’re the leader, you shouldn’t be the one struggling.

But here’s the truth: many leaders are.

I speak to business owners regularly who are dealing with:

  • chronic stress

  • anxiety

  • sleep disruption

  • isolation

  • decision fatigue

  • impostor syndrome

And yet, in networking rooms and online, we mostly show the highlight reel.

My Journey with Bipolar and ADHD

I live with Bipolar and ADHD.

For a long time, I avoided speaking publicly about it. There’s still stigma attached to mental health — especially in business. You worry people might see you differently. You wonder whether vulnerability could be misinterpreted as instability.

But pretending it wasn’t there didn’t make it disappear. It just made it heavier.

There have been periods where my energy and creativity were sky high — and other times where getting through the basics felt overwhelming. The turning point for me wasn’t a dramatic breakthrough. It was realising I needed support systems, structure, and honesty — not just willpower.

Therapy helped.

Better operational systems in my business helped.

Delegating helped.

Learning not to make major decisions at my lowest emotional point helped.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is this:

Don’t make permanent decisions from temporary pain.

 

The Stigma Around Mental Health in Leadership

We’ve come a long way socially in talking about mental health. But in business circles, there’s still hesitation.

Strength is often confused with silence.

Composure is confused with coping.

But the strongest thing I’ve done isn’t building a business.

It’s talking honestly about what it takes to stay well while building it.

When leaders open up, it gives others permission to do the same. It builds healthier cultures. It reduces shame. It reminds people they’re not alone.

We don’t need more perfect leaders.

We need more honest ones.

Why I Became a 2026 Ambassador for The Shaka Project

This is one of the reasons I became a 2026 ambassador for The Shaka Project.

The Shaka Project is focused on mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and creating conversations that reduce stigma and isolation.

The idea is simple but powerful:

Start conversations.

Share stories.

Make it visible that struggling is human.

Isolation is where mental health struggles grow strongest.

Connection is where hope grows.

Being involved isn’t about a title. It’s about alignment. I believe we need more visible conversations about mental health — especially among business owners and leaders who often feel they have to carry everything alone.

You can learn more about the movement at:

https://theshakaproject.com/

What Actually Helped Me

There was no magic fix. But there were consistent things that made a difference:

  • Professional therapy and support

  • Stronger systems in my business

  • Clear delegation

  • Honest conversations with trusted people

  • Protecting recovery time, not just work time

  • Recognising early warning signs

  • Accepting that mental fitness requires maintenance

Mental health isn’t something you fix once. It’s something you manage intentionally.

Just like physical health.

If You’re a Business Owner Reading This

If you’re leading a team, running a business, or carrying more than people realise — here’s what I want you to know:

Struggling doesn’t mean you’re failing.

Needing support doesn’t mean you’re weak.

Talking about it doesn’t make you less capable.

In my experience, it makes you stronger.

And if sharing this helps even one person feel less alone or more willing to reach out — then it’s worth it.

Strong isn’t silent.

Strong is honest.