3 Months After Finding My Smile on National TV

It’s not easy to put your face – and your truth – on national TV. But I did. And it changed everything. Three months ago, after a year or two of filming, I shared my story with the nation. Appearing on Love My Face on Channel 4 was a milestone, but it’s what happened before and after the show aired that truly changed my life.

Where the Journey Really Began

The real story starts in 2017.

That year, I hit a breaking point. I was leading a multi-award-winning business, but privately I was fighting through depression. I felt the weight of stigma pressing down on me – the sense that, as a leader, I had to stay silent about my struggles, to keep up the illusion of strength.

But the truth is, I’d been silencing myself for years.

Growing up with a facial difference, I learned early how to blend in, to keep quiet, to avoid standing out. There was so much pressure to appear “normal”. to fit in at any cost.

But looking back, I got it wrong.

From Hiding to Honesty

My strength was never in hiding – it was in standing out and speaking up.

When I finally allowed myself to be seen and heard, I realised I wasn’t alone. What I’d gone through in silence – feeling isolated, misunderstood, under pressure – wasn’t just my story.

It was the story of countless others, not only those living with visible differences but also leaders everywhere, quietly carrying the weight of expectation and growth.

The Catalyst: Going on TV

Saying yes to Love My Face was terrifying. It meant confronting all the ways I’d hidden and all the parts of myself I’d neglected. But before anyone saw my episode, the process itself had already begun to transform me.

Preparing for the show forced me to look inward. I started to prioritise my mental health and wellbeing – not out of luxury, but out of necessity. For years, I had put everyone else’s needs before my own. I finally realised the cost of that self-neglect.

I began to reclaim my right to simply be me.

What I’ve Learned Since the Show

Three months on from the TV broadcast, life feels different.

I’ve learned that real leadership is about visibility – about allowing others to see your struggles and your strength.

I call this Selfish Leadership™.

Not selfish in the negative sense, but self-honouring. When I take care of myself – my mind, my body, my identity – I am better able to empower and grow others.

Since then, I’ve supported leaders through burnout, spoken about the unseen struggles behind “success,” and created a keynote I’m proud of:

🎤 Learning How to Smile Again

This is the story behind the TV episode. It’s a message about resilience, about the power of visibility, and about the courage it takes to show up as yourself.

For Anyone Feeling the Pressure

If you’re a leader, a changemaker, or simply someone who’s felt the pressure to hide parts of who you are – know that you’re not alone.

The silence, the isolation, the expectation: it’s more common than you think.

And the real strength? It’s in being honest, being visible, and taking care of yourself first.

Bring This Conversation to Your Stage

If your organisation is ready for a real, raw, and empowering keynote about resilience, leadership, and redefining strength,

Learning How to Smile Again is available for talks, conferences, and internal events.

Because visibility isn’t vanity – it’s vulnerability. And that’s where change begins.

👉 Get in touch to book me for your company talk
👉 Or watch my Love My Face episode on Channel 4 (Episode 2)