“I experienced a mental health crisis when I was younger and I was never able to finish school. Things were difficult at home and I struggled to fit into a world that was so different to mine. Living in poverty, my family experienced stark contrasts in inequalities and opportunities. I had severe anxiety and depression but nobody seemed to pick up on it until it became unbearable, which is when I had a break down. 

School didn’t feel like a safe place to be, so I stayed at home, ate pot noodles and watched Doctor Who instead! And although I failed at school, I never gave up on education and was fully inspired by Doctor Who. The Doctor wanted to do everything he could to help people and it was his passion that guided me out of my crisis (the pot noodles helped too!). I still experience anxiety and depression, and some days I remember how I felt back then but now I’m better equipped to manage these feelings and they no longer overwhelm me as they once did.

Much like the Doctor, I too want to help people as best I can. This positive influence changed the trajectory of my life for the better. I started studying mindfulness, compassion and the human psyche. This led me onto Buddhism and where I am today.”