⚠️ Warning ⚠️ This episode contains content that may be alarming to some listeners. We do talk about suicide which we know can be distressing.
At 38, David Eakins was moments away from ending his life on a railway bridge. On the outside, everything looked perfect, a great career, loving family, and strong friendships. But inside, David was silently drowning.
In this deeply moving and honest conversation, David opens up about suicidal ideation, masculinity, shame, and his journey to healing. He reveals how a single question, “How are you, out of 10?” became the turning point that led him to therapy, vulnerability, and a new life of presence and purpose.
Now leading Talk Club Brighton & Hove, David is helping other men open up and find hope through connection and conversation.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone struggling with trauma, grief or depression, or anyone supporting someone who is, or anyone ready to redefine what strength really means.
⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00 – “I climbed the railings of a bridge…” – David’s darkest moment
03:05 – The weight of suicidal ideation: “I didn’t want to end my life… I wanted to end the pain”
07:42 – The silent battle at work and feeling lost in plain sight
13:18 – Early life, childhood masking, and belief systems about manhood
19:50 – Marriage, family dynamics, and fear of being ‘found out’
27:05 – The life-changing impact of being asked: “How are you out of 10?”
34:40 – First steps into therapy and confronting buried trauma
41:12 – Creating safe spaces: the birth of Talk Club Brighton & Hove
48:30 – The power of community and emotional accountability
56:50 – Shame, masks, and the myth of the 'strong man'
1:05:15 – Male friendship, trust, and the art of showing up
1:13:42 – Parenting, presence, and breaking generational cycles
1:22:18 – When laughter is medicine: humour, humanity and healing
1:31:40 – Business, burnout and redefining leadership through empathy
1:40:55 – Mental health at work: what employers get wrong
1:49:30 – Living with intention and building a new definition of success
1:56:50 – David answers the 5 Pillars: Balance, Authenticity, Presence, Fulfilment, Relationships
2:04:00 – Final reflections: “Be brave enough to speak before it's too late”
🔗 Connect with David Eakins
Instagram: @davideakins
LinkedIn: David Eakins
Website: https://happysapien.co.uk/
🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:
👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast
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SPONSORED BY:
Search Seven – www.searchseven.co.uk
Nostos Hove – www.nostos-hove.co.uk
Rivervale – www.rivervale.co.uk
Plus X – https://www.plusxinnovation.com
🎥 PRODUCED BY:
H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk
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