Maximize Mental Health - Your Weekly Podcast

Host: Ryan McIlhennon Interviewee: Lesley Sackey Trigger warning: Domestic Abuse  Summary: In this deeply moving episode, Lesley Sackey —former GB boxer, gold medalist, and founder of Fight Forward and Pillow.ai—shares her journey from athletic success to surviving domestic abuse, and, ultimately, empowerment. Behind the medals was a story rarely told: one of surviving an abusive relationship and...

Host: Ryan McIlhennon Interviewee:  Ana Lameiras   Trigger warning: General discussion of mental health challenges  Summary: In this episode, we’re joined by Ana Lameiras, a mindset coach, sports psychology advisor, and mentor with a deep understanding of the pressures young athletes face—especially from her dual perspective as both a practitioner and mother of two football players. Ana reflects...

Host: Ryan McIlhennon Interviewee: Sergio Plumari Trigger warning: General discussion of mental health challenges  Summary: In this episode, former professional athlete Sergio Lumari opens up about the intense mental pressures faced by young athletes. Starting their careers as children, athletes are often thrust into high-stakes environments where performance is expected both physically and mental...

Host: Ryan McIlhennon Interviewee: Keisha York Trigger warning: General discussion of mental health challenges  Summary: In this episode, Keisha York, founder of the Black People and Psychiatry and Psychology Network (BiPP), discusses the significant racial inequities in the mental health field. With a Bachelor's in Psychology and a Master's in Organizational Psychiatry and Psychology, Keisha felt...

Host: Ryan McIlhennon Interviewee: Stefano Di Rico Trigger warning: Anxiety/depression Summary: In this insightful episode, 19-year-old Stefano Di Rico, a youth mental health campaigner and activist, shares his journey into mental health advocacy. Sparked by the need among his peers for advice and support, Stefano's involvement grew as he connected with national charities like Young Minds. He disc...

Host: Ryan McIlhennon Interviewee: Kitty Alice Trigger warning: Anorexia, PTSD & Anxiety Summary: In this episode, Kitty Alice, Co-founder of CounterPoint Wellness, shares her personal journey with PTSD and anorexia, which began at just 15 years old. Supported by her family, Kitty underwent therapy from a young age, but she quickly realized the limitations of the available support when her men...

Host: Ryan McIlhennon Interviewee: Daniel Samosir Botcherby Trigger warning: Mental Health Summary: Daniel Samosir Botcherby talks to Maximize about his journey to founding Kalda - the world's first LGBTQIA+ self-therapy and mental well-being app. He discusses with us what he thinks people most misunderstand about LGBTQIA+ mental health and the changes he would like to see in the world within...

Host: Ryan McIlhennon Interviewee: Sitara Samtani Trigger warning: Trauma Summary: Child and Adolescent psychotherapist Sitara Samtani speaks to us about her co-authored picture book 'Emotional Needs', her work with children and adolescents with special needs, and the merits of Schema Therapy. Connect with us on: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@maxim.app⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠/in/maxim-vr-app⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠www.ma...

Host: Ryan McIlhennon Interviewee: Dr Camilla Pang Trigger warning: ADHD Summary:  Justine Graham ADHD coach and founder of Adaptive Minds, speaks to us about her own lived experience of ADHD and her advice for young people struggling with ADHD. With her work, she helps people to create their own set of rules that are built in THEIR brains so that everyone can show up as their authentic selves: ⚡...

Host: Ryan McIlhennon Interviewee: Madeleine Black Trigger warning: Sexual Assault and Rape Summary: Psychotherapist, podcast host and 2x TEDx speaker Madeleine Black speaks to us about her journey. She has an unusual personal story which she uses to inspire and motivate others. She chose to forgive the two men who gang-raped her at thirteen years old. She also speaks out to end the shame, stigma...

Host: Ryan McIlhennon Interviewee: Jeremy Indika Trigger warning: Sexual Abuse Summary: Jeremy Indika speaks to us about his journey to founding 'Something to Say', his lived experience of CSA and the importance of having taboo conversations. Jeremy is a male survivor of child sexual abuse sharing his story in the most creative ways that he can think of. As the founder of 'Something to...

Host : Ryan McIlhennon Interviewee : Dr Camilla Pang Summary: Dr Camilla Pang is a British computational biologist, writer, and autism advocate. In 2020, she was awarded the Royal Society Prize for Science Books for her memoir, Explaining Humans: What Science Can Teach Us about Life, Love and Relationships. Today she speaks to us about her lived experience of autism, the importance of not demonisi...

Host : Ryan McIlhennon Interviewee : Dr Felix Rivera Trigger warning: Anxiety/Depression Summary : Dr Felix Rivera, neurologist and health tech consultant, speaks to us about the empowering nature of knowing that the brain can be rewired through awareness and experience. He also speaks about the importance of increasing knowledge of the "sixth sense" of proprioception with regard to trau...

Host : Ryan McIlhennon Interviewee : Kate Hoyle Trigger warning: Anxiety/Depression Summary : Kate Hoyle, an award-winning hypnotherapist talks to us about the benefits of hypnotherapy compared to other schools of therapy when trying to help teenagers and young people, the importance of helping children build a healthy self-image, and how you can regain the ability to take back control of your own...

Host : Ryan McIlhennon Interviewee : Sam Moinet Trigger warning: Depression Summary : Sam Moinet, a former teacher and founder and CEO of Student Breakthrough and Educators Coaching Academy (ECA), talks to us about his journey to founding ECA and SB, the task of reforming an outdated and dysfunctional education system, and the importance of values and creating your own path.  Connect with us on: I...

Host: Ryan McIlhennon Interviewee: Joel Felsenstein Trigger warning: Anxiety  Summary:  Joel Felsenstein, founder and CEO of RockstarX, talks to us about his lived experience of autism, the importance of thinking outside the box, and the vital work of creating a society that is fully accommodating to the full spectrum of humanity.  Connect with us on: Instagram: ⁠⁠@maxim.app⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠/in/maxi...

Host: Ryan McIlhennon Interviewee: Deborah Nelson Trigger warning: Anxiety/Depression Summary: Deborah Nelson, director of Impossible Mental Health, speaks to us about academic pressure faced in school by young people, the biggest challenges facing us in terms of treating poor mental health, and the journey that took her to a career in the professional world of mental health.  Connect with us on:...

Host: Ryan McIlhennon Interviewee: Ange McMillan Trigger warning: Anxiety Summary: Director of Elemental Health Ltd, Ange McMillan speaks to us about the pressure faced today by young people, the effectiveness and role of the school counsellor, the importance of mental health literacy for parents, and bridging the gap between the professional world of therapy and the inherent rebelliousness of ado...

Host: Ryan McIlhennon Interviewee: Jo Morton-Brown Topic : The importance of giving, mental health literacy and promoting happy young lives. Trigger warning: Anxiety & Depression Summary: Jo Morton-Brown, emotional health practitioner at Flourish, speaks to Maximize about the importance of mental health literacy, the act of giving and promoting happy young lives Connect with us on: Instagram:...

Host: Ryan McIlhennon Interviewee: Jaron Soh  Trigger warning: Anxiety/Depression Summary: Jaron Soh talks to us about his journey to founding Voda, the LGBTQIA+ mental wellness app, his lived experience of growing up LGBTQIA+ in Singapore, and the importance of increasing the LGBTQIA+ presence in the investor pool and business at large. Connect with us on: Instagram: ⁠⁠@maxim.app⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠/i...

Host: Ryan McIlhennon Interviewee: Katie Matthews-Furphy    Trigger warning: Anxiety/Depression Summary: NI Young Business Person of 2022 Katie Matthews Furphy talks to us about her journey to founding The Mind Tribe UK, the importance of allowing yourself to be vulnerable, and not caring about what others think in the pursuit of what you want in life. Connect with us on: Instagram: ⁠⁠@maxim.app⁠⁠...

Host: Ryan McIlhennon Interviewee: Oscar Yoorkevich  Trigger warning: Bipolar disorder  Summary:   ;Hope founder Oscar Yoorkevich talks to us about his journey across the world talking to different people and their perceptions of mental health, what the process of filming his documentary has taught him and the changes he would like to see take place in the next 10 years. Connect with us on: Instag...

Host: Ryan McIlhennon Interviewee: Adam Rutstein  Trigger warning: ADHD Summary: Unify Giving chief technology officer Adam Rutstein joins us to talk about his lived experience of ADHD and his advice to Gen-Z and others about neurodiversity and embracing who you are to the fullest extent.  Connect with us on: Instagram: ⁠⁠@maxim.app⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠/in/maxim-vr-app⁠⁠ Website: www.maxim-vr.com Don&#3...

Host: Ryan McIlhennon Interviewee: Leona Donaghy  Summary: Healthy building consultant Leona Donaghy speaks to us about clean air, environmental consciousness and the importance of being mindful of the quality of your living environment for your mental and physical well-being.  Connect with us on: Instagram: ⁠⁠@maxim.app⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠/in/maxim-vr-app⁠⁠ Website: www.maxim-vr.com Don't forget t...

Host: Ryan McIlhennon Interviewee: Lindsey Depledge  Topic : Today our guest is behavioural scientist Lindsey Depledge who talks to us about her journey into health tech and founding Beanbag Health, her lived experience of receiving a diagnosis of epilepsy and her advice for Gen-Z for looking after their mental health.  Trigger warning: Epilepsy    Connect with us on: Instagram: ⁠⁠@maxim.app⁠⁠ Lin...