Simon is a husband and father of two based in Queensland's Sunshine Coast. Simon is also the Founder of Mindful Men, a therapy practice that is dedicated to supporting men with mental illness and disability. Simon’s passion for mental health comes from living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Depression, Anxiety, and Burnout throughout the last 30 years. 2022 marks 10 years since Simon finally opened up and got help for mental illness, and he shares his story to inspire other men to share theirs.

1. JN: How does your neurodiversity impact your productivity both positively and negatively?

• Seeking help with mental health is the hardest part, “Real men are tough”
• Have got help from psychologists, psychiatrists, etc.
• Prescribed medication but found that mindfulness
• OCD:
  • From 8 years old
  • Obsessive thoughts that must be extinguished by action
  • 1hr per day of actions
  • Behaviours/performances:
    • Humming
    • Checking locks
  • Get things to “Just Right”
  • Exposure-response therapy

2. JC: What "work" projects are you concentrating on?

• Social science degree
• Fifteen years in public service
• Masters of Social Work
• Accredited mental health social worker
• Mindful Men
  • Started as a social media platform
  • Private mental health practice: ACT (acceptance commitment therapy)
  • Value Elicitation - what would your values have you do?
  • Podcast

3. JN: How about the rest of the time? What do you enjoy doing in your off time?

• Two kids (6 y.o. and 3 y.o.)

4. JC: What does your morning routine look like and how has it evolved over time?

• Have to be careful about routine with OCD
• Freeform:
  • Morning Run a few times per week

5. JN: What do you do to optimize productivity during your working hours?

• OCD leads to strong drive around perfection - have to be careful
• Wabi sabi - beauty in imperfection
• In business, go with the flow

6. JC: What is one habit you'd like to remove from your life (either a bad habit or one that takes up too much time)?

7. JN: How do you switch off at night?

• Reduce tech usage
  • Leave it in the kitchen
  • Self talk “I’m tired”
• Reading books 

8. JC: What resources (books, philosophies, apps, sensory toys) do you find most helpful for productivity and habit formation?

• “Sand Talks” 
• “Chasing Excellence”
• Mindset
  • 1% better

9. JN: Where can people connect with you or find your work?

• mindful-men.com.au

10. JC: Do you have any final words or asks for our audience?

• It’s ok to not be ok - find someone you feel safe to talk to