The Men's Mental Health and Movement Podcast : One Step Stronger - Live Longer

What happens when you witness one of history's worst terrorist attacks, work at ground zero in the aftermath, and then get diagnosed with lung cancer 11 years later? In this deeply moving episode of The Men's Mental Health and Movement Podcast, Craig Sotkovsky shares how he transformed unimaginable trauma into purpose, strength, and a mission to help others discover their true identity.Host Tony Haresign explores Craig's journey from witnessing the 9/11 attacks and working at ground zero through lung cancer, addiction, and entrepreneurship. Craig reveals the breakthrough concept of heart and brain coherence, explaining how it became the foundation of his healing, and why turning pain into purpose isn't just a cliché, but a deliberate practice that saved his life. He now mentors entrepreneurs to break free from societal expectations and find authentic success.What You'll Learn:✓ What it was like witnessing the 9/11 attacks and working at ground zero✓ How lung cancer, 11 years later, became another layer of trauma to overcome✓ The concept of heart and brain coherence and why it's crucial for healing✓ How to transform trauma into strength rather than letting it destroy you✓ Why self-discovery is the foundation of lasting personal transformation✓ The role addiction played in Craig's journey and how he overcame it✓ How societal expectations trap men in false identities✓ Why emotional expression is essential for men's mental health✓ The connection between entrepreneurship and finding your true purpose✓ Practical steps for developing self-awareness that leads to real changePerfect for: Men carrying trauma they've never processed, whether from singular events or accumulated pain. If you're battling addiction, hiding behind a false identity, or feeling trapped by what others expect of you, Craig's story shows how heart-brain coherence and deliberate self-discovery can transform your deepest wounds into your greatest strengths.Craig Sotkovsky witnessed 9/11, worked at ground zero, battled lung cancer, overcame addiction, and turned all of it into a system for helping others find their authentic identity. His emphasis on heart and brain coherence isn't New Age theory; it's a practical framework he used to process unimaginable trauma and build a life of purpose. From witnessing ground zero to personal transformation, Craig proves that your worst experiences don't define you; how you respond to them does.Guest: Craig Sotkovsky, Ground Zero First Responder | Lung Cancer Survivor | Entrepreneur Mentor | Heart-Brain Coherence Coach | Trauma Recovery AdvocateConnect: Website: https://www.craigsotkovsky.com/More from Tony: Website: https://www.tonyharesign.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyharesign/Music: Beats by littlegrooves, https://youtu.be/Tl3DIbjY2Rg?si=aqfkBT7zWydPYPsP🎧 Subscribe for weekly conversations on men's mental health, movement, and building the life you want.#MensMentalHealth #GroundZero #FirstResponder #LungCancer #TraumaRecovery #Addiction #HeartBrainCoherence #PersonalTransformation #SelfDiscovery #Entrepreneurship #MentalHealthPodcast #Resilience #OvercomingAdversity #EmotionalHealing #MensWellness

What happens when everything you've built comes crashing down, and then life hands you a brain tumour on top of it? In this profound episode of The Men's Mental Health and Movement Podcast, Safal Sharma shares his journey from academic success to devastating failure, and how facing a brain tumour became the ultimate test of the inner work and spiritual framework he'd built through adversity.Host Tony Haresign explores Safal's transformation, how he rebuilt his self-esteem from the ground up, and why peace comes from your thoughts and beliefs, not your circumstances. Safal reveals the practical spirituality that gave him the resilience to face his brain tumour diagnosis with calm and confidence, proving that your worst moments can become the groundwork for your greatest strength.What You'll Learn:✓ Why peace comes from thoughts and beliefs, not external circumstances✓ How failures can lay the groundwork for facing greater challenges✓ The inner work required to rebuild self-esteem after devastating setbacks✓ Why spirituality isn't abstract, it's a practical framework for resilience✓ How to separate your self-worth from success and failure✓ The method for turning crises into opportunities for growth✓ How facing a brain tumour tested and confirmed Safal's spiritual beliefs✓ Why spiritual values create internal strength that circumstances can't touch✓ How to become the hero in your own story, not the victim✓ The connection between understanding self-worth and finding lasting peacePerfect for: Men dealing with major setbacks, health crises, or feeling their identity crumbling after failure. If you've been knocked down by life and are searching for a practical framework to rebuild, not just survive, Safal's story shows how inner work and spirituality can create unshakeable resilience.Safal Sharma went from academic success to failure, then faced a brain tumour that could have destroyed him. Instead, the inner work he'd done through previous failures gave him the spiritual foundation to face his diagnosis with peace.His journey proves that resilience isn't about avoiding challenges; it's about building internal strength that holds regardless of circumstances. Your self-worth isn't defined by what happens to you; it's defined by how you respond to it.Guest: Safal Sharma, Resilience Coach | Spirituality Advocate | Brain Tumour Survivor | Personal Development MentorConnect: Website: https://www.safalsharma.com/More from Tony: Website: https://www.tonyharesign.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyharesign/Music: Beats by littlegrooves, https://youtu.be/Tl3DIbjY2Rg?si=aqfkBT7zWydPYPsP🎧 Subscribe for weekly conversations on men's mental health, movement, and building the life you want.#MensMentalHealth #BrainTumour #Resilience #Spirituality #InnerWork #AcademicFailure #MentalHealthPodcast #SelfWorth #PersonalGrowth #OvercomingAdversity #MensWellness #SpiritualResilience #CancerSurvivor #MindsetShift

What does it take to transform from rock bottom to running 100-mile ultramarathons? In this powerful episode of The Men's Mental Health and Movement Podcast, Nic Collins shares his raw journey from substance abuse and depression to sobriety and becoming an ultramarathon runner. He reveals the pivotal moment of being arrested for drunk driving, the silent work nobody saw that changed everything, and why running became his lifeline to recovery.Host Tony Haresign explores Nic's transformation, the daily commitment sobriety requires, and how therapy provided the safe space he needed to process emotions he'd been numbing for years. Nic also discusses his new book, "Advance," which focuses on living authentically and aligning your life with who you truly are, rather than who you think you should be.What You'll Learn:✓ Why movement is medicine, proven by Nic's ultramarathon journey✓ The silent work that creates visible transformation (nobody sees this part)✓ How one arrest became the catalyst for a complete life change✓ Why sobriety is a daily commitment, not a one-time decision✓ How running replaced destructive habits with positive ones✓ The role of therapy in breaking through emotional barriers✓ Why living authentically matters more than appearing successful✓ How to step out of your comfort zone when growth demands it✓ The power of supportive friendships in recovery✓ Why every small step forward counts as progressPerfect for: Men struggling with substance abuse, depression, or feeling stuck in destructive patterns. If you know you need to change but don't know where to start, or you're in early recovery and wondering if life gets better, Nic's story proves that rock bottom can become the foundation for extraordinary transformation.Nic Collins went from being arrested for drunk driving to running ultramarathons and writing "Advance," a book about authentic living. His journey wasn't overnight; it was built on silent work, daily sobriety commitments, therapy, and discovering that movement could be medicine. He proves that recovery isn't just about what you stop doing, it's about building a life so aligned with your true self that you don't want to escape it.Guest: Nic Collins, Ultramarathon Runner | Author of "Advance" | Sobriety Advocate | Authentic Living CoachConnect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nic_collins_authentic/ Website: https://niccollinsauthentic.comFind out more about Tony: Website: https://www.tonyharesign.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyharesign/Music: Beats by littlegrooves, https://youtu.be/Tl3DIbjY2Rg?si=aqfkBT7zWydPYPsP🎧 Subscribe for weekly conversations on men's mental health, movement, and building the life you want.#MensMentalHealth #Sobriety #AddictionRecovery #Ultramarathon #SubstanceAbuse #Depression #RunningForMentalHealth #Therapy #AuthenticLiving #RecoveryPodcast #MensWellness #MentalHealthAwareness #PersonalGrowth #SobrietyJourney

What happens when you finally stop running from substances, from pain, from yourself? In this raw episode of The Men's Mental Health and Movement Podcast, Keith Hager from Holistic Brotherhood shares his transformation from substance abuse to becoming a personal trainer and community builder who's helping men find purpose through fitness and brotherhood.Host Tony Haresign explores Keith's journey of hitting rock bottom and discovering that recovery isn't just about quitting substances, it's about building something new. Keith reveals how personal training became his path to self-discovery, why breathwork opened perspectives he never knew existed, and how creating a supportive community became essential for lasting change.What You'll Learn: ✓ Why stopping running from substances is just the beginning of transformation ✓ How personal training became a tool for mental and physical healing ✓ The holistic approach to recovery that creates sustainable change ✓ Why breathwork unlocks new perspectives and emotional healing ✓ How to build a supportive brotherhood when you feel isolated ✓ The connection between fitness and mental health recovery ✓ Why finding purpose is more important than just staying clean ✓ How sharing your story can inspire others and strengthen your own recovery ✓ The role of community in preventing relapse and building resilience ✓ Practical steps to move from survival mode to thrivingPerfect for: Men struggling with substance abuse, addiction recovery, or feeling isolated in their journey. If you're tired of traditional recovery programs that only focus on what to stop doing, without showing you what to start building, Keith's story offers a holistic blueprint for sustainable transformation through movement, community, and purpose.Keith Hager knows what it's like to run from yourself. His journey from substance abuse to founding Holistic Brotherhood proves that recovery isn't about white-knuckling sobriety alone; it's about building a life so fulfilling you don't want to escape it. Through fitness, breathwork, and genuine brotherhood, Keith created a sustainable path that addresses mind, body, and spirit.Guest: Keith Hager, Founder, Holistic Brotherhood | Personal Trainer | Substance Abuse Recovery Advocate | Community Builder Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wholisticbrotherhood/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keith.hagarTo learn more about Tony: Website: https://www.tonyharesign.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyharesign/Music: Beats by littlegrooves - https://youtu.be/Tl3DIbjY2Rg?si=aqfkBT7zWydPYPsP🎧 Subscribe for weekly conversations on men's mental health, movement, and building the life you don't need to escape from.#MensMentalHealth #SubstanceAbuse #AddictionRecovery #PersonalTraining #Fitness #HolisticHealing #Brotherhood #CommunitySupport #Breathwork #RecoveryPodcast #MensWellness #Sobriety #MentalHealthPodcast #OvercomingAddiction

What if everything you've been told about managing your health is wrong? In this transformative episode of The Men's Mental Health and Movement Podcast, human performance architect Scott Burgess reveals how a devastating misdiagnosis of lymphoma, which turned out to be an allergy, completely changed his understanding of health, wellness, and personal responsibility.Host Tony Haresign explores Scott's journey from medical crisis to founding Balanced Naturopathics, and how he discovered that outsourcing your health to others is the fastest way to lose control of it. Scott shares the unconventional tools that transformed his life, including the surprising role mushrooms play in his health regimen, and why self-awareness is your most powerful health asset.What You'll Learn:✓ Why the lymphoma misdiagnosis became Scott's greatest teacher✓ How to stop outsourcing your health and take back control✓ The science behind medicinal mushrooms for mental and physical wellness✓ Practical steps to improve health through movement and awareness✓ Why stress is silently destroying your body (and what to do about it)✓ The surprising benefits of regular blood donation for men's health✓ Self-awareness techniques that reveal what your body actually needs✓ How to challenge conventional health advice and find what works for YOU✓ The connection between mental health and physical symptomsPerfect for: Men who feel trapped in the conventional medical system, relying on doctors and prescriptions without understanding what's actually happening in their bodies. If you're tired of treating symptoms instead of causes, or you sense there's a better way to manage your health but don't know where to start, Scott's story provides the roadmap.Scott Burgess went from a terrifying cancer diagnosis to discovering it was an allergy his body was screaming about. That wake-up call led him to become a human performance architect and founder of Balanced Naturopathics, where he helps people reclaim control of their health through self-awareness, unconventional protocols, and personal responsibility. His approach challenges everything you think you know about wellness.Guest: Scott Burgess - Human Performance Architect | Founder, Balanced Naturopathics | Health Optimisation Specialist Connect: https://balancednaturopathics.com/Find out more about Tony: Website: https://www.tonyharesign.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyharesign/Music: Beats by littlegrooves - https://youtu.be/Tl3DIbjY2Rg?si=aqfkBT7zWydPYPsP🎧 Subscribe for weekly conversations on men's mental health, movement, and mastering your health from the inside out.#MensMentalHealth #HealthOptimization #MedicinalMushrooms #SelfAwareness #LymphomaMisdiagnosis #NaturalHealth #HumanPerformance #MensHealth #AlternativeMedicine #StressManagement #PersonalResponsibility #HealthPodcast #Naturopathy

What happens when the institution you've relied on for everything suddenly cuts you loose, and you discover a strength you didn't know existed? In this powerful episode of The Men's Mental Health and Movement Podcast, Invictus Games gold medalist David opens up about his medical discharge from the military and the brutal lesson it taught him about dependency, vulnerability, and personal accountability.Host Tony Haresign explores David's transformation from the devastating moment his military career ended to realizing he'd become dangerously reliant on a single system for his identity, income, security, and purpose. David shares how losing that structure exposed his lack of personal responsibility, and how he rebuilt his life from medical discharge to Invictus Games champion by deliberately reducing dependency and taking back control.What You'll Learn: ✓ Why dependency makes you vulnerable (even when it feels like security) ✓ How to identify hidden dependencies that control your life ✓ The accountability framework that took David from discharge to a gold medal ✓ Why spreading out your support sources protects your independence ✓ How military structure can create dangerous over-reliance ✓ The difference between support and dependency (and why it matters) ✓ Practical steps to reduce dependency and build self-reliance ✓ Why adversity became David's greatest teacher ✓ How Invictus Games training rebuilt his sense of purpose and identityPerfect for: Men who've built their identity around a single role, career, relationship, or organization, and are realizing how vulnerable that makes them. If you're dependent on one income source, one relationship, or one institution for your sense of self, David's story serves as both a warning and a roadmap out.David's medical discharge stripped away everything he thought defined him. Instead of collapsing, he examined every area where he'd surrendered personal responsibility, took back accountability, and channeled that energy into becoming an Invictus Games gold medalist. His journey from military dependency to deliberate independence and elite athletic achievement proves that taking back control—even when forced—leads to empowerment and extraordinary outcomes.Guest: David - Invictus Games Gold Medalist | Military Veteran | Personal Development Advocate | Independence Coach Connect: https://speakingsbc.com/Beats by littlegrooves: ⁠https://youtu.be/Tl3DIbjY2Rg?si=aqfkBT7zWydPYPsP⁠Find out more about Tony at ⁠https://www.tonyharesign.com/⁠And on Instagram⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/tonyharesign/⁠🎧 Subscribe for weekly conversations on men's mental health, movement, and ways to improve and master yourself.One Step Stronger: Live Longer#MensMentalHealth #InvictusGames #Empowerment  #MentalHealthPodcast #MilitaryVeteran

What does it cost to reach the top, and is there a way to get there without destroying your health? In this essential episode of The Men's Mental Health and Movement Podcast, five-time award-winning speaker and mental health specialist Doug Gordon reveals how a near-death experience and years of chronic pain forced him to rebuild his approach to success completely. Host Tony Haresign explores Doug's transformation from C-level executive building global businesses to becoming an international bestselling author and energy work practitioner who's helped thousands escape the burnout trap. Featured in The Irish Times and The Independent, Doug shares the exact moment he realised conventional success was killing him—and the holistic system he created to help high-performers thrive without sacrificing their mental and physical health.What You'll Learn:✓ How chronic stress silently damages your long-term health and performance✓ The near-death moment that changed Doug's entire approach to life and work✓ Energy optimisation techniques used by top executives at Dell, Samsung, and Citibank✓ Why visualisation and intention accelerate healing and goal achievement✓ The holistic growth framework: integrating mind, body, and soul for sustainable success✓ Stress management tools designed for high-pressure roles and ambitious men✓ How to maintain peak performance without burning out (the strategy senior leaders use)✓ Why purpose and mindfulness aren't "soft skills"—they're survival skills for modern menPerfect for: Ambitious men ages 30-45 in high-pressure careers who are succeeding professionally but noticing warning signs, poor sleep, chronic pain, relationship strain, or that nagging feeling that success shouldn't hurt this much. If you're grinding hard but wondering if there's a more innovative way, this conversation provides the roadmap. Doug's credentials speak for themselves: 5X award winner, international bestselling author of Charge Yourself Up for Success (endorsed by New York Times bestselling authors, a Star Wars actress, and a Dragons' Den investor), 28,000+ LinkedIn followers, and over 100 recommendations from leaders at Cambridge University, Stanford, and the Institute of Directors. But it's his journey from chronic pain to purposeful high performance that makes his insights indispensable. Guest: Doug Gordon - 5x Award-Winning Speaker | Mental Health Specialist | International Bestselling Author | Energy Work Practitioner | Former C-Level ExecutiveConnect: https://dougdgordon.com/linkedin.com/in/doug-gordon-216091bBook:https://amzn.eu/d/0QL6TUqBeats by littlegrooves: https://youtu.be/Tl3DIbjY2Rg?si=aqfkBT7zWydPYPsPFind out more about Tony at ⁠https://www.tonyharesign.com/⁠And on Instagram⁠ https://www.instagram.com/tonyharesign/🎧 Subscribe for weekly conversations on men's mental health, movement, and ways to improve and master yourself.One Step Stronger: Live Longer#MensMentalHealth #Burnout #StressManagement #MentalHealthPodcast #MindsetCoach

What happens when you hit absolute rock bottom and discover a practice that doesn't just save your life—but propels you to world-record performance? In this powerful episode of The Men's Mental Health and Movement Podcast, freediving world record holder Helena Bourdillon shares her 25-year journey from self-harm and suicidal ideation to becoming one of the world's elite freedivers.Host Tony Haresign explores Helena's raw story of numbness, loss of enthusiasm, and the specific moment everything shifted.She reveals how breathwork, the same technique that allows her to hold her breath at extreme depths, became her most powerful tool for managing anxiety and reclaiming her life.What You'll Learn: ✓ The breathwork techniques that transformed Helena's mental health (and how men can use them) ✓ How being present in the moment breaks the anxiety cycle ✓ Why trusting yourself matters more than controlling your thoughts ✓ The power of supportive listening when someone is struggling ✓ From numbness to passion: Recovering your enthusiasm for life ✓ Practical breathing exercises for managing stress and panic ✓ How consistency, not perfection, drives 25 years of sustained recoveryPerfect for: Men struggling with anxiety, emotional numbness, or feeling disconnected from life despite professional success. If you're skeptical about "breathing exercises" or mindfulness, Helena's world-record credentials and unflinching honesty about mental health struggles make this essential listening.Helena's story destroys the myth that mental health recovery is about thinking your way out. Her journey proves you can't think your way out of rock bottom, but you CAN breathe and move your way out.From self-harm to setting four world records, her transformation demonstrates that your darkest moments don't define your potential.Guest: Helena Bourdillon - 4x Freediving World Record Holder | Mental Health Advocate | Breathwork Specialist Connect: https://helenabourdillon.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenabourdillon/Media: https://vimeo.com/791215649?fl=pl&fe=vl🎧 Subscribe for weekly conversations on men's mental health, movement, and the practices that create lasting transformation.To find out more about Tonyhttps://www.tonyharesign.com/https://www.instagram.com/tonyharesign#MensMentalHealth  #AnxietyManagement #Breathwork #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealthRecovery #Freediving #Resilience

How do you rebuild your life when everything falls apart? In this debut episode of The Men's Mental Health and Movement Podcast, Allan Kleynhans shares his journey from combat trauma and addiction to becoming an elite performance coach and motivational speaker who's transformed thousands of lives.Host Tony Haresign explores Allan's raw, unfiltered story—from military service to confronting his darkest moments—and the daily disciplines that didn't just save his life, but rebuilt it entirely. This isn't theory or motivation rubbish.This is the blueprint for men who know what they should do but can't seem to make it stick.What You'll Learn: ✓ The 5-minute morning routine that broke Allan's addiction cycle ✓ Why gratitude practice actually works for men (even if it sounds soft) ✓ How to silence your inner critic without toxic positivity or fake confidence ✓ The environment change strategy that makes willpower irrelevant ✓ Self-compassion techniques designed for high-achieving men ✓ Building brotherhood: Why isolation keeps you stuck and community sets you free ✓ From survival mode to thriving: Shifting from enduring life to enjoying itPerfect for: Professionally successful men ages 30-45 struggling with stress, anxiety, emotional regulation, or feeling stuck despite external success. If you're tired of mental health content that just raises awareness without giving you actionable steps, this is your starting point.Allan's military background, addiction recovery, and elite-level coaching experience make him uniquely qualified to speak to men who appear to have it all together but are fighting private battles. This conversation proves your past trauma doesn't disqualify you from an extraordinary future—it can become your greatest strength.Guest: Allan Kleynhans - Combat Veteran | Transformational Speaker | Elite Performance Coach Connect: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/allankleynhanshttps://www.allanspeaks.com/🎧 Subscribe to One Step Stronger - Live Longer for weekly conversations on men's mental health, movement, and bridging the gap between knowing and doing.#MensMentalHealth #AddictionRecovery #PTSDRecovery #VeteranMentalHealth #PerformanceCoach #SelfCompassion #MentalHealthPodcast #Resilience #OvercomingTrauma #MensWellness #CombatVeteranFind out more about Tony at https://www.tonyharesign.com/And on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tonyharesign/

Tony Haresign shares his journey from a successful barber to overcoming personal and professional challenges through movement and resilience. He discusses the impact of a knee injury, the closure of his barbershop, and the loss of a friend, leading to a transformative moment that inspired his podcast on men's mental health and movement.You can't think your way out of rock bottom but you can move your way out.Real strength comes from facing the hard stuff.Building resilience is about taking one honest step at a time.The Men's Mental Health and Movement Podcast aims to break down stigma.Tony's journey includes overcoming a knee injury and barbershop closure.A marathon for suicide prevention marked a turning point for Tony.Running the UK's 10 highest mountains was a significant achievement.The podcast focuses on real conversations and practical tools.It's about showing up for yourself, not just others.****Episode 1 drops Friday 28th November 2025****men's mental health, resilience, movement, Tony Haresign, podcast