Mental Fitness: The Revolution Talk Club Is Creating for Men's Health with Gavin Thorpe

Send us Fan MailHow do we transform men's mental health in a world where vulnerability is often seen as weakness? Gavin Thorpe, co-founder of Talk Club, shares the remarkable journey of creating a mental fitness movement that's changing how men approach emotional wellbeing.From a small gathering of five men in a Bristol pub to over 150 groups nationwide, Talk Club has evolved into something truly special. At its core is a disarmingly simple question: "How are you out of 10?" This numerical scale gives men a language to express their emotional state without immediately needing sophisticated emotional vocabulary – a crucial bridge for those unaccustomed to discussing feelings.The results speak volumes. In Bristol Prison, where Talk Club established its first correctional facility program, self-harm rates dropped by an astonishing 60% within just one year. Now expanding to dozens more prisons across the UK, these safe spaces are proving transformative for men who've never had permission to be vulnerable.What makes Talk Club unique is its focus on "mental fitness" rather than mental health crisis response. By normalizing regular emotional check-ins and creating genuine community, they're addressing the epidemic of loneliness that Gavin identifies as central to the male mental health crisis. Particularly for men navigating what he calls the "midlife transition" – questioning identity and purpose – having a place to connect authentically has proven life-changing.Beyond the talk groups, Talk Club has embraced innovative approaches to sustainability, including partnerships with Bristol Beer Factory to create "Clearhead," an alcohol-free beer that supports their mission while raising substantial funds for their work. It's this entrepreneurial spirit combined with genuine compassion that makes their approach so effective.Want to experience what mental fitness feels like? Start by asking yourself: "How am I out of 10?" It might just be the beginning of a transformative journey toward better wellbeing.Guest Bio Gavin Thorpe is the co-founder and co-CEO of Talk Club, a global men’s mental fitness movement dedicated to creating safe spaces for men to connect, share, and support one another. With over 150 groups across the UK, Talk Club is pioneering a preventative approach to mental health—helping men regulate, open up, and strengthen their resilience before they reach crisis point. Gavin is also a trained therapist and passionate advocate for making mental fitness as much a part of everyday life as physical fitness.Contact DetailsProfessional Website: http://www.gavinthorpetherapy.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavinthorpetherapy/Talk Club Website: https://talkclub.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkclubcharity/Twitter/X: https://x.com/talkclubcharitySubscribe on SubstackVoices in Health and Wellness is published on Substack, as part of The Diagnostician. Every episode lands there with written notes and reflections you won't find in the podcast feed. Free to subscribe.👉 https://thediagnostician.substack.com/s/voices-in-health-and-wellnessAbout the podcastVoices in Health and Wellness features conversations at the intersection of medicine, lifestyle, and human potential, with clinicians, scientists, and thinkers shaping the future of care.About Dr Andrew GreenlandUK-based medical doctor and founder of Greenland Medical, specialising in Integrative and Functional Medicine. Trained in both conventional and root-cause approaches, Andrew helps people optimise health, performance, and longevity, with a focus on cognitive resilience and healthy ageing.