We caught up with the brilliant and insightful WiL Turner a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
WiL , appreciate you joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?
Men all around the world are suffering alone in silence.
For many generations as young boys men have been conditioned to suppress their emotions, vulnerability, sexuality, masculinity, and desire for belonging and brotherhood; which inhibits their ability to proactively seek help when facing their disparages with expressing their emotional, social and mental health issues and needs.
Such societal norms have perpetuated a stigmatic cycle of silence around men’s mental health, leaving many struggling in isolation. Statistics show that men are less likely than women to seek help for mental health concerns, and are at a much higher risk for suicidal ideations.
My professional career has been led by the need for programs which support black men, gay men, men over 40 and young men on their journey of navigating life, the stigmas of mental health, masculinity, sexuality, belonging, brotherhood, identity, and taking care of themselves.
Through my lived experience, professional experience and coaching thousands of men, it was clear that we share the commonality of not being seen, heard or feeling belonging.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Breaking Barriers
In recent years, there has been a positive shift in the need for men’s support groups, mental health and wellness programs which specifically support men and the societal attitudes towards mental health; encouraging men and young boys to speak openly about their struggles.
This shift presents Living Well with WIL the opportunity to address the unique challenges men face and to provide men of all backgrounds with the supports they need in addressing their mental, emotional and social needs.
Living Well with WiL, its Becoming Whole Men’s Health Movement, men’s support group network, blog, podcast, workshops, retreats, online coaching, Becoming Whole, Becoming FIITT, Bromance, The Shadows of My Soul Personal Memoir, digital resources, website, and social media platforms offers safe spaces for men to prioritize their health, discuss their feelings, and connect with other like minded men who share their lived experiences.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Depression and mental illness are today’s silent killers among men.
Mental Health issues are not discussed in the black culture. Therapy was not an option. Thus evolved the mission of Living Well With WiL.
As men we are shamed for expressing our needs for social connection, mental, and emotional support. My struggle to overcome depression stems from my childhood. Knowing this and not being diagnosed until late into adulthood greatly shaped my life and reason I decided to create a platform which embraces and affirms the health needs of men and young men to help them be the curators of their own health, healing, happiness, and success.
Like the men I coach and have coached over the years, I discovered we each share the commonality of shame, fear, expressing our emotions, sense of loneliness, and suffering alone.
Each felt unhealthy, unsupported, unseen, unheard, physically out of shape, depressed, overwhelmed, emotionally imbalanced, abandoned, unfulfilled, and unaccomplished in some aspect of their life.
My narrative was no different. Life seemed as if it was headed nowhere. My life continued to spiral out of my control. I finally reached the breaking point where my mind and body was done with work, with unreliable and untrustworthy people, one sided relationships, dwelling on the past, and worrying about the uncertainty of my future. I was done with surviving, living day to day, chasing friendships and relationships, while struggling to be present for myself and life in general!
I needed help but had no one to turn to. There were no men’s health support groups.
Like most of us, I have made many mistakes, failed, fallen, forgiven and started over many times throughout my life. I’ve always found myself in spaces where there were few who thought, felt or looked like me. I’ve had to let go of relationships, and friendships that were unconducive to nurturing my mental and emotional well-being, personal, spiritual and professional growth and happiness. My priority and purpose as a Men’s Health Coach, Fitness Trainer and Lifestyle Blogger is to help men strengthen their mindsets, bodies and relationships to live a life of purpose, health, happiness, and abundance by challenging their way of thinking and masculinity; unrooting the sources of their trauma, and unfulfillment to restore a healthy balance between their personal and professional lives so they can be contributing members to their families and the communities where they live and work.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
One is only as successful as those they are surrounded by. Allowing others to shine can be empowering. It is important to surround yourself by those whose passion, work ethic, and vision are in alignment with yours. To be an effective leader is to lead by example.
Transparency, positivity, humility, patience, and flexibility are key.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.livingwellwithwil.com/aboutwilturner-menshealthandwellnesscoach-dallas/
- Instagram: @livingwellwithwil
- Facebook: WiL Turner
- Linkedin: Living Well with WIL
- Youtube: Living Well with WiL
