Building Mental Fitness with Gavin Thrope

Joining us this week is Gavin Thrope, co-founder of Talk Club and a fully qualified Person-Centred Integrative Counsellor. Gavin is on a mission to change the way men approach mental health in the UK. Through Talk Club, Gavin helps men build mental fitness, not just mental health awareness.

Their unique approach encourages men to check in honestly with themselves — asking questions like, “How are you? Out of 10?” — and then unpacking why. This simple yet powerful method has been shown to increase resilience, understanding, and emotional wellbeing for men across the country.

In this conversation, we explore: How Talk Club is transforming the conversation around male mental health The concept of “mental fitness” and why it matters Practical strategies men can use to understand and manage their emotions Stories of transformation and resilience from the Talk Club community

Gavin’s philosophy:

“Talking isn’t a weakness. It’s how men train their minds.”

“Mental fitness is something you can build, track, and strengthen — just like your body.”

This episode is a must-listen for any man who wants to be stronger, more resilient, and in control of his mental wellbeing.

More

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavinthorpetherapy/

https://talkclub.org/

https://www.instagram.com/talkclubcharity/

https://www.instagram.com/lewishackney/

https://thefoundrycic.org.uk/

https://truuman.io/30-days/

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lewis-hackney

From Trauma to Triumph with Ryan Harland

This week, we’re joined by Ryan Harland a mental health advocate, author, and speaker whose work is helping men confront their pain and reclaim their lives. Ryan is the author of Riding the Storm, a powerful memoir that traces his journey through trauma, abuse, and mental health struggles and the inner work it took to move from survival to self-leadership. Rather than hiding his story, Ryan uses it as a catalyst for connection. His mission is to break the silence around men’s trauma, challenge stigma, and show that healing is not only possible, it’s powerful.

In this conversation, we explore:

Ryan’s lived experience of trauma and recovery

How writing his memoir became part of the healing journey

Why so many men suffer in silence

The importance of storytelling in breaking stigma

Tools and insights for anyone navigating their own storm

Ryan’s message:

“Your past may shape you, but it doesn’t get to define you.”

“Silence is where trauma thrives, conversation is where healing begins.”

“We don’t need men to be fearless. We need them to be honest.”

This episode is a must-listen for anyone facing their own battles and for those who want to better understand the unseen struggles so many men carry.

More from Ryan:

https://amzn.eu/d/iKgrjky

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-harlanduk/

https://thefoundrycic.org.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/lewishackney/

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lewis-hackney

https://truuman.io/30-days/

Redefining Masculinity Through Therapy & Conversation with Chris Hemmings This week on The TRUUMAN Podcast, we sit down with Chris Hemmings — a therapist, coach, journalist, and one of the UK’s leading voices on modern masculinity and men’s mental health. Chris is the founder of Men’s Therapy Hub, the UK’s only directory dedicated to helping men find male therapists. After years of struggling to connect with traditional therapy spaces, Chris recognised the need for approaches built by men, for men — and he set out to change the system. Before becoming a therapist, Chris spent years as a BBC journalist, creating documentaries and articles around men’s mental health, masculinity, and societal pressures. His work led him into schools, prisons, and boardrooms — uncovering the silent struggles so many men carry. He’s also the founder of M-Path, an organisation delivering live talks and workshops in schools across the country, helping boys and young men understand what it really means to be a man — beyond the old narratives of toughness, silence, and suppression.

In this episode, we dive into:

Why so many men avoid therapy — and how to change that The growing demand for male therapists for male clients

What Chris has learned after speaking to thousands of boys in schools

The fine line between healthy masculinity and harmful conditioning How journalism, therapy, and mentorship all blend into his mission

Chris says:

“Men don’t need fixing — they need spaces that understand them.”

“When boys don’t learn how to talk about emotions, they grow into men who feel like they’re not allowed to.”

“If men had better role models and better outlets, society would change overnight.”

Connect with Chris:

https://menstherapyhub.co.uk/

https://m-path.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-hemmings-03964054/

https://www.instagram.com/lewishackney/

https://thefoundrycic.org.uk/

https://truuman.io/30-days/

This conversation is for men who want to talk, men who don’t know how to talk, and everyone who cares about changing the story around masculinity.