In this powerful second episode with counsellor Will Hamilton, Vishal dives deep into one of the most pressing issues facing men today: loneliness. With over 8 million men in the UK experiencing loneliness weekly, this conversation tackles the root causes, the societal pressures and what we can actually do to reconnect both with ourselves and others.

Will explores the three types of loneliness emotional, social and environmental and explains how early childhood experiences, toxic role models, remote working and masculine norms can all contribute to this silent epidemic. From the construction site to the therapist’s chair, this episode brings hard truths, surprising insights and practical tools for men who feel stuck, isolated, or emotionally overwhelmed.

Vishal and Will also unpack:

• Why male loneliness is often masked by addictions, workaholism and emotional shutdowns
• The danger of not having real role models and how to become one yourself
• The importance of understanding your core values VS behaviours
• How breathing techniques can diffuse anger in high stress moments
• Why emotional literacy is the key to building healthier connections
• How small steps like walking or joining a local club can be life changing

This is not just a conversation. It’s a lifeline. For men navigating silence, shame and the invisible weight of expectation this one’s for you.

💬 Trigger warning: This episode contains candid discussions about loneliness, mental health, and emotional distress. Please listen with care.

Book a 1 to 1 session with Will here-

https://onwardshift.com/counselling/person-centred-counsellors/will-hamilton-person-centred-counsellor/

🎙️ 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐭.

🎙️ 𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬.

Follow Us On:

- Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/onwardshift/⁠⁠

- TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@onwardshift⁠⁠

- LinkedIn Page: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/onward-shift/⁠⁠

- Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/onwardshift/⁠⁠

Find out more about Onward Shift and the mental health support we offer here- ⁠⁠⁠https://onwardshift.com⁠⁠

In this episode of Onward Shift, Vishal sits down with Eve Lameks commercial manager, quantity surveyor and co-founder of Tender Trainers for a real, grounded and empowering conversation about all things tendering, business growth and thriving in the high-pressure world of construction.

Eve breaks down the tendering process in simple, actionable steps perfect for tradespeople and subcontractors ready to move from small jobs to major projects. She shares real-world strategies for avoiding overwhelm, managing risk and building profitable businesses, especially when navigating payment delays, QS relationships and those massive tender packs that can scare off even seasoned professionals.

But this conversation goes deeper. Eve opens up about the mental health pressures of running a business in construction, the stress and stigma faced by quantity surveyors and the impact of long payment terms on cash flow and wellbeing. She also discusses what it’s like being a woman in a male-dominated industry and how she’s built respect and resilience on some of the UK’s toughest sites.

Whether you're a subcontractor wanting to scale, a startup founder entering the commercial space, or just someone curious about what really goes on behind big construction projects, this episode delivers insight, support and encouragement in spades.

Topics include:

• How to win work without race-to-the-bottom pricing
• Understanding payment terms and protecting your business
• Why commercial clarity is essential for mental health
• The truth about corruption, backhanders and bidding culture
• Life on site as a woman in construction
• Practical tips to create a tender that win and makes profit

If you’ve ever felt out of your depth with tenders, this is the episode that’ll bring you back in.

Learn more about The Tendering Trainers Here - ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thetendertrainers⁠ ⁠

🎙️ 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐭.

🎙️ 𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬.

Follow Us On:

- Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/onwardshift/⁠

- TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@onwardshift⁠

- LinkedIn Page: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/onward-shift/⁠

- Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/onwardshift/⁠

Find out more about Onward Shift and the mental health support we offer here- ⁠⁠https://onwardshift.com⁠⁠

In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of Onward Shift, Vishal sits down with Gemma Cousins, life coach, former professional actress and founder of Core Coaching for a deeply honest conversation about self-confidence, limiting beliefs and what it really takes to rediscover your true self.

Gemma shares how her journey from the stage to coaching transformed her understanding of confidence from performance-based validation to genuine self-trust. Together, she and Vishal unpack how identity is formed, the hidden scripts we unconsciously live by and how comparison culture and social media warp our sense of self-worth.

With practical tools, lived empathy and a refreshing sense of humour, Gemma explains how to break free from self-sabotaging thoughts, why values are your personal compass and how a single word change can interrupt destructive patterns.

Whether you’re struggling with imposter syndrome, stuck in the scroll cycle, or just tired of feeling “not good enough,” this episode is your reminder that you're not alone and that self-trust is a skill you can build.

Tune in for a raw, relatable and empowering chat that’s full of insight, warmth and real strategies for inner growth.

🎙️ 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐭.

🎙️ 𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬.

Follow Us On:

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onwardshift/

- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onwardshift

- LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onward-shift/

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onwardshift/

Find out more about Onward Shift and the mental health support we offer here- https://onwardshift.com