Leaders in Disguise | Business Leaders' True Stories
Leaders in Disguise shares honest founder stories and insights from business leaders about leadership challenges and mental health. Each fortnight, hear authentic experiences of burnout, resilience, and leadership culture that reveal what it truly takes to lead under pressure. If you're a founder, executive, or people leader seeking real talk on overcoming leadership obstacles, this podcast is for you.
Episodes
Goodbye for Now - The Break, The Beginning, and What’s Next
On 31st March 2024, I stepped down as CEO of the company I co-founded in 2009 - a multi-award-winning, 7-figure success that had grown internationally.Behind the scenes, I’d spent years balancing that success with a silent battle against depression. For too long, I feared sharing my truth would hold the business back.When I stepped away, I launched Leaders in Disguise with a clear purpose - to bre
The Dark Side of 10x: The Finance Coach Who Walked Away from 'Success'
What if chasing 10x growth and entrepreneurial “success” is actually destroying your health, your happiness, and your business?In this eye-opening episode of Leaders in Disguise, finance coach Serena Humphrey reveals the hidden costs of hustle culture. After surviving three financial traumas in her twenties and suffering a total physical and mental collapse, Serena exposes why the relentless pursu
EXCLUSIVE: Living with OCD & The Hidden Struggles of Leading in Silence
Join us for an exclusive episode, and incredibly brave and honest conversation with Nicky Shearer as she opens up about living with OCD and the challenges that come with leadership roles. This episode breaks down barriers and stigma around mental health in professional settings.Key Topics Covered• Living with OCD: Nicky's personal journey and daily realities• Pregnancy & OCD: How sympt
Stage 4 Cancer: How This Leader Finds Joy in the Darkest Moments
In this deeply moving episode of Leaders in Disguise, Gary Parsons sits down with Julian Hall, founder of Calm People, who shares his extraordinary journey of leading with purpose while living with stage 4 bowel cancer. This isn't just a story about illness - it's about strength, authenticity, and finding joy in life's darkest moments.*Trigger Warnings* - Discussions of cancer diagnosis, family, f
BONUS: The ‘Love My Face’ Debrief - and Keira’s Hidden Story
In this powerful bonus episode of Leaders in Disguise, we return to a moment we couldn’t leave on the cutting room floor.Keira Smith, our previous guest, stayed on the sofa after we finished recording - and what unfolded became one of the rawest parts of our conversation.It was my first interview since Channel 4’s Love My Face aired on 17 April 2025, where I shared my story of facial difference fo
Rewiring Your Brain for Recovery with Keira Smith
In this powerful new episode, Gary Parsons is joined by hypnotherapist Keira Smith, whose story takes us from fitness industry burnout and depression to becoming a leader in trauma recovery and brain-based healing.Keira opens up about living with hidden trauma, the dangerous pressure of "being strong", her own near breakdowns, and how a different approach to healing - without reliving the past - c
The One That Started It All (Remastered)
To celebrate one year of Leaders in Disguise, we’re re-releasing the first-ever episode - now shorter and sharper, with a clearer focus on the powerful story that started it all.Gary Parsons opens up about life with Bell’s Palsy, the emotional toll of hiding behind a mask, and what it really means to lead with vulnerability. Since this episode first aired, Gary has been featured on Channel 4’s Lov
John's Story of Bullying, Burnout and Breaking the Silence
TW: This episode includes discussions of workplace bullying, mental health crises, emotional distress, and suicidal thoughts, which some listeners may find upsetting. Please take care while listening.In this powerful episode, Gary sits down with John Sidebotham – a wellbeing champion and long-serving leader in the transport and engineering sectors – to talk openly about workplace bullying, burnout
The Hidden Cost of Success - Richard Lee on Burnout, Exit, and Starting Again
TW: This episode discusses burnout, anxiety, and the long-term mental health impact of high-growth entrepreneurship. Please listen with care.What happens when you scale faster than you ever imagined - but your mind and body can’t keep up?Today’s guest is Richard Lee - a founder who grew a tech company from 9 to 35 staff during Covid lockdowns, achieved explosive success, and quietly faced a breakd
UNMASKED: What Happens When Stress Gets Out of Control?
In this Unmasked bonus episode, we rewind to Season 1 - where Richard Abrahams talks about the moment he was admitted to a psychiatric unit.I ask Richard a big question:- What led you to being sectioned under the mental health act?What follows is a deeply personal story - where we find out about the events that led to getting diagnosed, but the innocent sounding conversions with his local GP and h
Toxic Love, Grief and Depression - And Still He Showed Up to Lead
TW: This episode contains open discussion of depression, burnout, and personal loss including the death of a parent, a partner's cancer journey, and the challenges of toxic relationships. Please listen with care.---What happens when life throws everything at you - all at once - and you’re still expected to lead?This week's guest, Julian Smith, shares the raw reality of being a leader while managin
UNMASKED: What Self-Care Strategies Should Leaders Adopt? (A Real-Life Story)
In this Unmasked bonus episode, we rewind to Season 1, Episode 1 - where I (Gary Parsons) was the one being interviewed.Sarah asks me a big question:“What self-care strategies did you adopt as a leader?”What follows is a deeply personal story - one I hadn’t shared publicly until then. I talk openly about a time I was struggling in silence, the pressure of leading through burnout, and the practical
Ex-Sanctus Co-Founder on Growth, Grief and Why Men Talking Matters
* Trigger Warning * This episode contains open discussion of baby loss, grief, depression, and burnout. Please take care when listening and skip this one if it isn’t the right time for you.James Routledge helped build Sanctus into one of the UK’s most recognisable mental health brands, reaching over £2M in annual recurring revenue and working with hundreds of companies to bring mental health coach
Stranded at Sea with 48 Hours to Live - Now He’s Changing Lives
Not all leadership journeys begin in boardrooms. Some start in the most unthinkable circumstances.At just 18 months old, Steven Thai was stranded in the middle of the ocean with his family, fleeing Vietnam in search of safety. With no food, no water, and no way forward, time was running out - until a British cargo ship made a life saving decision. That moment of rescue didn’t just save his life. I
Tech Moves Fast - But Leadership Can Feel Lonely and Brutal
Scaling a business is exciting - but what happens when success comes at a cost?James Mulvany, founder of Podcast.co, MatchMaker.fm, and Radio.co, has built multiple successful tech companies, employing a global team of 50. But behind the rapid growth, there’s a side of leadership that rarely gets talked about.In this episode of Leaders in Disguise, James and host Gary Parsons get real about:-The l
Fostered, Abused, and Overlooked - Now, He’s the One Closing the Deals.
What does it take to go from being neglected, abused, and told you’d never succeed—to leading high-stakes multi-million-pound mergers & acquisitions?In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Leaders in Disguise, I sit down with Hutton Henry, founder of Beyond M&A, a firm that specialises in technology due diligence for investors.But Hutton’s journey to success wasn’t easy. After losi
Building a National Brand: Bear Co-Founder Craig Bunting’s Journey of Resilience
What does it take to grow a national brand while navigating closures, financial setbacks, and personal growth? In this episode, we sit down with Craig Bunting, Co-Founder of Bear, to unpack the highs and lows of building a hospitality and lifestyle brand.
Craig opens up about:
• Growing a national brand beyond just coffee ☕
• Facing setbacks, including London site closures
• Maintaining resili
Wrapping Up 2024: Gratitude, Reflections + Christmas Poem
As we head into the holidays and prepare for 2025, Gary Parsons reflects on an incredible first year of Leaders in Disguise. In this special Christmas bonus episode, Gary shares his gratitude for your support, reflects on the podcast's purpose of breaking the stigma around mental health and wellbeing in leadership, and gives a sneak peek at what’s coming in Season 2, launching on 3rd February 2025
Dr Sona Kaur Inspires Leaders to Embrace Difference and Resilience
In this powerful episode of Leaders in Disguise, host Gary Parsons welcomes Dr Sona Kaur, an inspiring leader in clinical psychology, successful business owner, and passionate advocate for neurodivergent individuals. Dr Kaur shares her personal and professional journey, offering profound insights into overcoming cultural barriers, managing ADHD, and thriving as a leader.
Key Discussion Points:
Balancing Police Leadership and Personal Grief with Resilience - Jon Coogan’s Story
In this powerful episode of Leaders in Disguise, podcast host Gary Parsons welcomes Jon Coogan, a resilient leader whose journey within the police force has been marked by personal loss and immense professional responsibility. Jon’s story is one of strength, perseverance, and the ability to find purpose despite overwhelming challenges.
Join us as Jon shares how his role in the police force shaped
Navigating Personal Health Crises in Leadership, with Heather McLellan
In this powerful episode of Leaders in Disguise, Gary Parsons welcomes Heather McLellan, a seasoned expert in occupational health and a mentor to small business owners, to share her personal and professional journey.
Heather has spent over three decades guiding others through the challenges of maintaining wellbeing in demanding careers. But today, she opens up about her own battles with health, th
Surviving Domestic Abuse and Building a £500K Business, Turning Pain Into Power, with Chris London
In this compelling episode of Leaders in Disguise, host Gary Parsons speaks with entrepreneur Chris London, who bravely shares his experience of surviving 15 years of domestic abuse. As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Chris opens up about the predominantly verbal abuse he endured from his ex-partner and how he managed to escape a toxic situation.
During that time, Chris didn’t just sur
From Rock Bottom to Business of the Year: Rob Spence’s Journey of Resilience and Leadership
In this exclusive episode of Leaders in Disguise, Gary Parsons speaks with Rob Spence, founder of Paragon Sales Solutions, who transformed his life from starting a business with just £300 to leading an award-winning company, recognised as the 2024 Business of the Year. But Rob’s story doesn’t just highlight his professional success—it delves into his raw and real experiences with mental health cha
Exclusive: Former MP Amanda Solloway on Mental Health, Politics, and Resilience
For this episode, I had the honour of speaking with Amanda Solloway, former MP for Derby North. Amanda opens up about her personal mental health journey, losing her parliamentary seat in 2024, and her advocacy for mental health support.
Her story, shaped by her mother’s mental illness and suicide, fuels her passion for breaking mental health stigma, especially in leadership. This episode dives int
BONUS: World Suicide Prevention Day 2024
In this bonus episode of Leaders in Disguise, Host Gary Parsons recalls conversations with previous guests and highlights those about suicide.This episode marks World Suicide Prevention Day 2024.Episode HighlightsPeter Marples talks about his success, with an occasion where he tried to take his own life, at the height of this success.Lee Marples recalls his experience of the 3aaa's Apprenticeshi
From IT Leadership to Overcoming Burnout: Lessons Learnt with Marc Rowley
In this insightful episode, Gary Parsons interviews Marc Rowley, an IT leader, educator, and mental resilience professional, who opens up about his experiences with neurodiversity, leadership, and mental health.
Episode Highlights:
Marc Rowley’s Background: Often described as a "Swiss army knife," Marc shares how his journey with dyslexia and ADHD led him to a successful career in IT,
Burnout in Leadership, with ADHD & Autism, featuring Payroll Director Linda Burt
In this episode, Gary Parsons sits down with Linda Burt, a leader working at Director level in a pressured payroll industry.Linda’s been diagnosed with ADHD and Autism. She talks about her experience pre and post diagnosis, as well as the time she was signed off work with burnout and high levels of anxiety.This is a great episode for leaders who mask their neurodivergent minds, feel guilty when ta
From West-End Actor to Communications Coach, Showcasing Resilience & Beating Failure, with Mike Lane-Evans
For this episode, I had the privilege of sitting down highly qualified and experienced communications Coach, Mike Lane-Evans. Now running a global business, working with all types of executives, he’s seen and experienced so much himself too.
Starting out as a professional actor, appearing in the West-End, Mike now works on all types of communication and talks about how his experience of rejection
A Revolutionary Approach to Food & Mental Health, with Rebecca Brown
In this episode, Gary Parsons sits down with Rebecca (Becky) Brown of SimpliciB, formerly a Process Improvement Expert, and now working with leaders and employees on food education
They discuss the connection between food and mental health, with Becky opening up on how she first started changing her own diet during the global pandemic and diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), alongsi
Exclusive: Peter Marples on Derby County FC, Success & Suicide Attempt
In this episode, Gary Parsons sits down with Peter Marples, former owner and shareholder of Derby County Football Club, multi-millionaire businessman, and former owner of 3aaa's Apprenticeships Provider.
They discuss Peter's dynamic career, touching on the highs and lows of his business ventures, the emotional impact of selling his first business, and his ongoing efforts to innovate and s
How My Business Drove Me Insane: Richard Abrahams' Mental Health Battle
In this episode, I sit down with Richard Abrahams of Elmhurst Windows, a family business in Leeds. Richard shares his journey from joining the business in 1992 to becoming its sole director. He candidly discusses the intense stress that led to his mental health crisis and being sectioned under the Mental Health Act in 2018.
Richard now openly talks about the signs of stress, the importance of men
How Ambition Led to Burnout: Claire Hancott’s Story at 30
Join us as we dive into the inspiring journey of Claire Hancott, a finance professional who navigated early success and severe challenges. Learn how she transformed her career from corporate finance to helping business owners thrive.
Episode Highlights:
0:00 - 1:10: Introduction by Gary Parsons
1:11 - 4:30: Claire Hancott’s early career and rapid ascent
4:31 - 10:05: Challenges and pressures
When Gambling Destroys It All: Trent Peek's Journey from Addiction to Entrepreneurship
In this episode of Leaders in Disguise, host Gary Parsons interviews Trent Peak, co-founder of We Are Fulfillment, about his journey through severe gambling addiction to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Trent openly discusses his struggles with gambling, the financial and emotional toll it took, and how he overcame these challenges. The conversation also explores the intricacies of running a th
Health Scares and High Stakes: Lee Marples on Business Collapse, Stroke, and Resilience
In this compelling episode of Leaders in Disguise, Gary Parsons sits down with the inspirational Lee Marples, co-founder of Think3, a marketing and creative agency. Lee shares his journey from the abrupt closure of a major company where he served as Finance and Commercial Director, to his struggles with anxiety and a mini-stroke, and finally to his success in founding and growing Think3. Lee's
Facing the Mirror: Gary Parsons' Story of Leadership Mental Health and Resilience
In this debut episode of Leaders in Disguise, Leadership Mental Health Advocate and Inspirational Speaker Gary Parsons steps into the guest seat. Sarah Gatford, The Positivity Pathfinder, hosts the discussion, exploring resilience and mental health management for leaders. Gary shares his personal journey with Bell’s Palsy, the pressures of leadership, and the importance of self-care and authentici
Trailer: Leaders in Disguise with Gary Parsons
Leaders in Disguise is a ground-breaking podcast dedicated to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and wellbeing, particularly within the entrepreneurial and SME leadership community. Each fortnightly episode delves into the hidden struggles of successful leaders who, on the surface, appear to have it all together but have battled mental health challenges behind the scenes.
The podcast se
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