After spending 20 years working in construction, a life-changing workplace accident completely changed the direction of my life.
What followed was far more than a physical recovery. The accident affected my mental health, relationships, identity and the way I saw myself and the world around me. It gave me first-hand experience of how quickly life can change and how much pressure people can carry behind closed doors while still trying to keep moving forward.
Today, I use that experience to speak openly about workplace safety, mental health and recovery across the construction industry. My talks explore the emotional impact of serious workplace accidents, the pressures that can come with working in construction, the difficulty many people still have speaking up and what helped me begin rebuilding my own life.
After two decades in the industry, I understand the long hours, physical demands, pressure and culture of simply getting on with the job. That experience allows me to speak in a way that feels familiar and relevant to the people in the room rather than like another lecture about mental health.
I’m also a certified Life Coach and CBT Coach, and I use that training alongside my lived experience to share practical ideas around wellbeing, connection and understanding ourselves better.
My aim is simple: to start honest conversations, help people recognise when something may not be right and remind them that asking for support can make a real difference.
In episode 20 of the Onward Shift Podcast, I sit down with Steven Kirby for one of the most powerful and emotional conversations we’ve had on the podcast so far.
Steve shares a deeply personal story filled with struggle, resilience, heartbreak and moments that completely changed the course of his life. This isn’t a polished or surface-level conversation it’s a raw and honest look into the reality of what someone can go through behind closed doors whilst still trying to keep moving forward.
Throughout the episode, we explore the emotional highs and lows of life, the importance of resilience and the strength it takes to continue despite difficult circumstances. We also discuss the pressures of working within the construction industry, where long hours, physical exhaustion and constant pressure can quietly impact mental and emotional wellbeing over time.
This episode is emotional, real and incredibly human a reminder that everyone is fighting battles we may never fully see, and that opening up can be one of the strongest things a person can do.
In episode 35 of the Onward Shift Podcast, I sit down once again with Steven Kirby for a deeply important conversation about the growing mental health crisis within the construction industry.
With suicide rates remaining alarmingly high and emotional struggles still heavily stigmatised on many sites, this episode shines a light on the reality many construction workers silently face every day. Steven shares his personal experiences and speaks honestly about vulnerability, storytelling and the power of human connection in an industry that has traditionally encouraged people to “just get on with it.”
Together, we explore how banter culture, emotional suppression and outdated ideas around masculinity can prevent people from opening up or asking for help when they need it most. We also discuss practical ways to improve mental wellbeing, including gratitude, mindfulness, connection and building healthier conversations both on and off-site.
Whether you work on the tools, run a business or lead teams within construction, this episode is a powerful reminder that behind every hard hat is a human being carrying struggles, pressures and emotions that often go unseen.
I would highly recommend Steven as a mental health and well being speaker. He shares a traumatic but interesting story which engages the workforce. He shares the lessons learnt and control measures that could have prevented his accident which will help stop an accident of this type happening again. We looking forward to welcoming Steven back to support us on our health and safety culture module at site level.
Steve has supported the project since the start of 2021 on a monthly basis by sharing his story to our staff and delivery teams onsite. A great person to have on your project to support your project teams and staff! Thanks for your continued support!
Steven was very engaging and the operatives on site were fully engrossed with his talk. Talking openly about his own struggles with his mental health really resonated with the teams with some of them making contact and thanking Steven for helping them open up about their own issues. We are now in a position to help those individuals seek the attention they require which is great.
Steven is passionate about his work and this comes across in his talk which is open and honest.
Yes. Our keynote speakers can be booked by construction companies, education providers and other organisations looking to start meaningful conversations around mental health and lived experience.
Pricing varies depending on the speaker, location, session length and requirements. We’ll provide a clear price before anything is booked.
Yes, we can travel across the UK and beyond.
Construction is our main focus, although our speakers can also share their experiences with audiences outside the industry where the subject and message are a good fit.
A keynote is primarily designed to share a powerful message or lived experience with a wider audience. Workshops are usually more interactive and give people more opportunity to explore a particular mental health topic, ask questions and take part in discussion or practical activities.
Imagine a project team that has spent months working under a difficult client, dealing with changing instructions and constant pressure to recover time. People are
Whenever I stand in front of a construction audience, I know there will usually be a few people wondering what a mental health talk has
Helping construction, one conversation at a time.
Helping construction, one conversation at a time.
