A Year from Hell – Ashley Sheen on Turning Pain into Strength

How To Be An Icon

** Trigger Warning: References of suicide.

What happens when life throws everything at you all at once? Ashley Sheen knows this all too well. In just one year, he endured a health issue that required surgery (which didn’t fully succeed), the painful end of a long-term relationship, and the devastating news that two close family members had suffered life-changing health conditions.

In this raw and emotional conversation, Ashley opens up about his battle with anxiety and depression, how he shut himself off from those who cared about him, and the heavy toll that isolation took on his mental health. But through the darkness, he found his way back—learning that reaching out and talking was the one thing that saved him.

We discuss:

• The reality of coping with multiple life-altering setbacks in a short period of time.

• How shutting people out made things worse—and how he finally found the courage to open up.

• The mental and emotional impact of anxiety and depression and what helped him through.

• Why talking and asking for help isn’t weakness, but strength.

Ashley’s story is a powerful reminder that even in our darkest moments, we are never truly alone. His journey from suffering to resilience will leave you inspired to check in on yourself, open up to others, and find strength in vulnerability.

If you'd like to connect with Ashley, you can find him on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @hownottosummon or Discord and YouTube @hownottosummonapodcast

I couldn't have set up my own podcast without my sponsors @hownottosummonpodcast so a massive thank you as always.

Useful links: http://www.samaritans.org

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/behaviours/help-for-suicidal-thoughts/

https://856foundation.org.uk/mens-time/mens-time-to-talk/