Adversity to Advantage Petra Velzeboer

“What really saved my life during that time was my ability to talk”

I am SUPER excited to have gotten the chance to interview the Legendary, Mental Health Power House that is Geoff McDonald!

Best known as a global advocate, campaigner and consultant who is passionate about addressing the stigma of mental ill health in workplaces, and about helping organisations embed purpose as a key driver of business performance. His sense of purpose to his work was catalysed by his diagnosis in 2008 of Anxiety fuelled depression.

Geoff shares his experience of mental ill health, his journey to recovery as well as what goes into a sustainable health and wellbeing initiative within the workplace.

We go deep on topics such as;


Diagnosis of anxiety fuelled depression

Learning to talk

Taking responsibility for our wellbeing

Health & Wellbeing plans in the workplace

The stigma & shame associated with depression

Taking accountability in order to get better

The blessing of love during recovery

Reintegrating at work

Transition from employment into purpose

Tools that contribute to maintaining recovery


Connect with Geoff and learn more about his work at  geoffmcdonald.co.uk , linkedIn &Twitter.  Hear more about our mental health work at Petra Velzeboer Ltd. 

‘It’s not going back to business as normal, we’re in a very new era now and If you’re not stretching yourself to meet that you will get left behind’

Samantha Clarke is an amazing friend of mine,  Happiness Consultant, TedX speaker and Author of Love it or Leave it . She advices global companies on Happiness at Work and supports people’s conscious decisions to either Love it or Leave it!

She is full of innovative advice for employers and employees on finding happiness in our work as well as providing practical tips on how we can all adjust to the change born from the pandemic!

We get practical on topics such as:


Finding the opportunity in change and disruption

Creating safe spaces for employees to be vulnerable

Steps to becoming a change maker

Challenging your belief system and evaluating your achievements

Physical & Mental Health signs that it is time for change

Widening our networks and making new contacts

Balancing head and heart decisions

Managing loneliness during the pandemic

Championing your people to deliver their best

Creating that work / life definition

Preventing tech fatigue and creating wiser practices


Find out more by connecting with Samantha on Linkedin and you can see her full personal story in Episode 11 titled:  How Badly do you Want it .

Find out more by connecting with Samantha on Linkedin and hear more about our mental health work at Petra Velzeboer Ltd. 

You can catch a previous interview with Samantha How Badly do you Want it

Further Resources mentioned in this episode::

Micro Mentor

Life Coach Directory

Love it or Leave it 

“When I came out…..I had completely unconditional support and love and I realised that’s sadly not the case for everyone”



I feel very privileged to interview Matthew Clements. Matthew is the Senior diversity and inclusion advisor at Herbert Smith Freehills and i have had the pleasure of working with him through the partnership between Medigold  and PVL where i have been supporting the Mental Health strategy and training of HSF.

We discuss Mental health and his Matthew goes deep on his own experience of mental health and coming out to his family and friends.

We cover other topics such as:


Challenges of mental health in the workplace

HSF Thrive Strategy

The evolution of how businesses understand mental health

Promoting an inclusive culture

Mental health champions

Adapting to needs during the pandemic

The build up to coming out to family and friends

No longer being able to hide / the loss of control

The benefits of coming out

Looking back on yourself with kindness

The ripple effects of shared stories & experiences

Creating impact through authenticity

Diversity & Inclusion in the workplace

The mental health silver lining in the pandemic

The need for organisations to step up mental health strategy

Agile & remote working

Non-negotiables around self-care



Connect with Matthew on Linkedin and hear more about our mental health work at Petra Velzeboer Ltd. 

“You really can’t pour from an empty cup. You need to make sure you are ok first”

Ranked as one of the top 10 companies to work for by The Sunday Times and recently shortlisted for the REBA wellbeing awards,  Hannah Meredith leads the way on Health and Wellbeing for MVF Global

We discuss the current and long-lasting impact  of the pandemic on employees and their mental health and Hannah lends practical advice on how employers can implement mental health strategies.

Hannah also opens up about her personal  struggles with anxiety how she’s learned to manage these effectively.

We cover topics such as:


The impact of providing constant support on People Teams

The longterm effects of covid-19 on mental health

Home working and creating boundaries to thrive

Company initiatives during lockdown to support mental health

Understanding the needs of your workforce

Cultivating an open culture

The daily struggle anxiety struggle

Practicing Self-awareness and coping strategies

The importance of connection

The Pandemic and relationships

Aiming for prevention

The opportunities arising from Covid


Connect with Hannah on Linkedin and hear more about our mental health work at Petra Velzeboer Ltd. 

‘We have to adapt with the changing times and we have to adapt to what are employees are needing’

So excited to speak with Selena Alcover who is an Employee Experience Manager at National Grid.

We discuss the impact of the current pandemic on employees and Selena offers tangible advice to leaders on supporting their workforce through these challenging times as well as opening up about her own personal struggle of becoming a first time parent in the midst of a pandemic.

We go deep on:


Remembering to ask for advice and help

Stress and new challenges caused by the pandemic

Adapting to the changing needs of employees

The shared experience of the pandemic

Leading by example and promoting work/life balance

Driving mental health conversations and championing open culture in the workplace

How to support employees during maternity

Managing maternity cover dynamics

The benefits of remote working

Self -care during the pandemic



Connect with Selena on Linkedin and hear more about our mental health work at Petra Velzeboer Ltd. 

‘I would say to anyone, speak and there is bravery in that even if you are vulnerable ‘

Tony Nneke is Chair of Oracle UKIE Cultural Harmony Network and passionate about Diversity and Inclusion as well as mental health.

Tony  talks openly about needing to take time off work due to poor mental health and how leaders helped or hindered his experience in the workplace.

We go deep on:


Practicing vulnerability at work

The need to create supportive and safe environments in the workplace

Engaging in mental health conversations in the workplace

Impact of mental health on productivity

Opening up to management and colleagues

The feeling of shame around mental health

The Power of Conversation

Childhood experiences of mental health

Recognising the trigger points and the ongoing journey

Finding your own balance and boundaries



Connect with Tony on Linkedin and hear more about our mental health work at Petra Velzeboer Ltd.