‘I had a burning desire to get the message out there’

John Clarke talks to Kate about his journey through alcohol, drugs, prison and OCD to successful business owner and mentor. In this candid interview, John shares his experiences and reflects on the many experiences that he has successfully used as drivers for both personal and professional growth.

Writing his Book ‘If I Can, You Can, helped him to understand the mental health challenges that he had overcome and provided an opportunity for him to get his message out there.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Following 9 years of therapy writing a book was the best therapy of all it was an opportunity to connect all the parts of my journey, get the message out there and help people who are going down the wrong path in life.
• I've managed to come through it and out of it by running and owning several different businesses.
• The mental issues I had were intrusive thoughts and a lot of them were about violence. I now understand that I was suffering from Harm OCD.
• More people than we realise have violent thoughts, it is how we react to those thoughts that are key to understanding our mental health.
• Most mental health issues are learning issues, not medical issues or a chemical imbalance. it’s a learning issue and learning about it and learning how to manage it are the keys to being able to move onwards.
• Self-development through reading books or listening to podcasts is really beneficial the content is out there you just have to learn.
• A lot of what happened in my past dictates what I’m doing now. I have experienced limiting beliefs, Self-doubt, not thinking I’m good enough and believing I could not be successful previously.
• I want to prove that I am good enough and this motivates me. I wouldn’t change anything about my past because now I’m in a good place and it's only the beginning of what I know I can achieve.
• When I mentor other tradesmen, I work on the person first, it's gradual but checking in with them regularly makes them accountable and this drives both them and their business forward.
• I want to spend my time helping others to achieve what I’ve achieved and working with youngsters who want to start a business.

BEST MOMENTS

‘When you are talking in the same language as the people you are talking to it is very powerful’

‘A lot of it is self-development and self-taught’

‘It’s about bringing the thought into perspective and not dwelling on it ‘

‘Talking to someone else helps but it just takes time’

VALUABLE RESOURCES

The Mental Health Revolution Podcast

If I Can You Can book by John Clarke

ABOUT THE HOST

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