Why I do what I do

Let me take you on a little journey through a chapter of my life that profoundly reshaped my understanding of the world and my place within it. You see, life doesn't always play by the rules, and a few years ago, I found myself caught in a period of life I could never have anticipated. Over a 6 month period;

  • I lost my best friend

  • COVID made my business stop overnight

  • My personal finances were in ruins, losing all my money

  • I reached the age my dad (39) when I lost him as a child

Suddenly, I was standing on shaky ground, feeling more lost and alone than ever. With a young family looking up to me, my mental wellbeing hit an all-time low. I became my harshest critic, my internal dialogue filled with self-doubt and despair.

Yet, in the midst of this darkness, a sliver of light emerged. Despite the tears and the heartache, a simple daily ritual—a walk to my local coffee shop for a double-shot latte—became the unlikely catalyst for a profound transformation. It was during one of these visits, in a conversation with my business partner, that a spark of inspiration ignited. We envisioned a concept that would not only lift my spirits but also offer a glimmer of hope to countless others. We dreamed of spreading a bit of positivity in a time that felt overwhelmingly negative.

This dream quickly evolved into a mission. We set out to create a virtual sanctuary, a place where people could gather each day over a Cuppa and immerse themselves in conversations, stories, and advice that didn't just offer temporary solace but spurred genuine societal change. This mission gave birth to Cuppa.tv, which has since touched the lives of over 100,000 people, supported more than 250 organisations, and united over 500 experts in a shared endeavour to confront some of the most pressing issues facing our society.

However, the journey didn't just transform those who joined us; it transformed me. Engaging with individuals from walks of life starkly different from my own opened my eyes to a range of perspectives I had previously overlooked. I came to realise how my own unconscious biases had shaped my worldview, simply because I’d never took the time to have a meaningful conversation with a First Nations leader, someone who was quadriplegic, or someone who was transgender. These conversations were more than just exchanges of words; they were profound lessons in empathy, understanding, and humanity. They showed me that when we dare to venture beyond our comfort zones and engage in those delicate, "Eggshell" conversations with people different from us, we unlock the potential for personal growth that can ripple out to benefit the whole of humanity.

Now, I am on a mission—a mission to demonstrate how each one of us, whether as individuals or organisations, can transform our moments of adversity into powerful movements of positive change. It's about recognising that even in our darkest hours, we possess the capacity to light a path not only for ourselves but also for others. I am committed to empowering all of us to navigate the toughest conversations—the ones we have with ourselves, those we care about, in our workplaces, and within our broader society. Because, at the heart of it, we're all in this together. So, what do you say? Are you ready to join me on this journey of transformation? Together, let's make a difference, one conversation at a time.

A bit about Cuppa.tv

I am the founder and host of Cuppa.tv, an on-demand original content platform for businesses, featuring videos from 100's of global experts designed to help employees with their personal well-being, performance and belonging. Check out just some of the incredible guests I have interviewed!