Mark Simmonds
I’ve enjoyed a long and varied career in the world of business and was lucky enough to find my calling early on when I discovered the delights of management training. Over the last 30 years, I’ve travelled the globe and had the privilege of working alongside a number of amazing companies including Unilever, HSBC, GlaxoSmithKline, Tesco and the Red Cross. I currently run my own boutique agency called Genius You. This is my ‘day job’.
However, throughout my life, I have always struggled with anxiety and stress. During my late thirties, this culminated in a nervous breakdown and an attempt on my own life. During the last few years, I have had two books published – Breakdown and Repair (2019) and Beat Stress at Work (2021), both of which are based on lived experience.
I now use the experience and communication skills from my day job and the platform provided by the two books to deliver talks and workshops to both companies and schools on the topic of stress management. This is my very important ‘side hustle’!
On the personal front, I have a wonderful wife called Mel and three terrific grown up children – Will, Emily and Jack, as well as two pets, a cat called Maisie and a dog called Peggy, both slightly bonkers.
Which key themes does the book cover?
The importance of finding a career that suits your most authentic self
The emotional and physical impact of anxiety, stress and depression
Building your resilience “muscle” to help you fulfil your ambitions
The lessons that the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us about stress at work
Which core elements make up the book?
A true story. A biography of my professional career, detailing my close relationship with stress, anxiety and depression. Warts and all.
Other people’s lived experiences. 10 individuals, one per chapter, share their own experiences of mental health in the workplace.
Mental health facts. Statistics from a range of research studies provide information about different aspects of mental health.
Pauses for thought. Timeouts in every chapter where I invite the reader to stop and consider the status of their own mental wellbeing.
Help yourself. A section at the end of every chapter where a framework or checklist is introduced, enabling the reader to apply the theory to themselves.
Professional input. The book has been edited and audited by Melissa Doman, MA. She is an Organizational Psychologist, former Clinical Mental Health Therapist, and Author of Yes, You Can Talk About Mental Health at Work (Here’s Why and How To Do It Really Well).
Bespoke talks and workshops for companies
“Mark delivered a thought-provoking session which focused specifically on the dangers of excessive stress. He drew extensively from his own experiences of work-related stress and introduced a number of very practical frameworks from his book. Mark also managed to deliver a heavy topic in a way which made it easy to digest.”
Katie Torode, Unilever
“Mark’s workshop gave me a great sense of relief - it’s ok, and you’re not alone, and also a great sense of understanding and empowerment - here’s some simple logical steps you can take. Thank you Mark, an exceptional and liberating experience.”
Dr Jo Jolly, Environmental Agency
