If It Can Happen to Me. Alan’s Fight for Life, Identity & Mental Health

This week on Onward Shifts Podcast, Vishal welcomes Alan Bates, a seasoned construction director and devoted father, for one of the most vulnerable, courageous and eye-opening conversations to date. Alan’s story is not just about physical illness. It’s about identity, purpose and survival in the face of life-altering trauma.From a humble start working on building sites in his teens to leading multi-million-euro projects across Europe, Alan had carved out a successful, fast-paced life but everything changed when he developed Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Syndrome a rare spinal condition that struck without warning and left him with permanent disabilities, chronic pain and the need for catheters and mobility aids.What followed was more than a health crisis it was a complete breakdown of the life he knew. In this episode, Alan opens up about the mental toll of disability, the isolation, the rage, the shame and the suicidal thoughts he battled daily but he also shares how therapy, community and the power of vulnerability became lifelines and how his role as a father became the anchor that kept him here.Alan talks candidly about breaking masculine norms, the stigma of invisible illness, toxic workplace dynamics and why more men need to speak up before they reach their breaking point. Now writing a book titled If It Can Happen to Me, he’s on a mission to raise awareness, spark honest conversations and offer hope to anyone who’s ever felt like giving up.This episode is raw, moving and deeply human a story of loss, resilience and the fight to rebuild a life of meaning when everything falls apart.💬 Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions around mental health struggles, suicidal ideation and medical trauma. Please listen with care.Find out more about Onward Shift and the mental health support we offer here- https://onwardshift.com