This week on Onward Shifts Podcast, Vishal welcomes Alan Bates, a seasoned construction director and devoted father, for one of the most vulnerable, courageous and eye-opening conversations to date. Alan’s story is not just about physical illness. It’s about identity, purpose and survival in the face of life-altering trauma.

From a humble start working on building sites in his teens to leading multi-million-euro projects across Europe, Alan had carved out a successful, fast-paced life but everything changed when he developed Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Syndrome a rare spinal condition that struck without warning and left him with permanent disabilities, chronic pain and the need for catheters and mobility aids.

What followed was more than a health crisis it was a complete breakdown of the life he knew. In this episode, Alan opens up about the mental toll of disability, the isolation, the rage, the shame and the suicidal thoughts he battled daily but he also shares how therapy, community and the power of vulnerability became lifelines and how his role as a father became the anchor that kept him here.

Alan talks candidly about breaking masculine norms, the stigma of invisible illness, toxic workplace dynamics and why more men need to speak up before they reach their breaking point. Now writing a book titled If It Can Happen to Me, he’s on a mission to raise awareness, spark honest conversations and offer hope to anyone who’s ever felt like giving up.

This episode is raw, moving and deeply human a story of loss, resilience and the fight to rebuild a life of meaning when everything falls apart.

💬 Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions around mental health struggles, suicidal ideation and medical trauma. Please listen with care.

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

In this powerful episode of The Onward Shift Podcast, host Vishal Narbheram sits down with therapist Will Hamilton to unpack the emotional, messy, and transformative journey from boyhood to manhood.

From teenage confusion to fatherhood fears, from midlife panic to relationship breakdowns, this is a no-fluff, real-deep dive into what men actually go through but rarely talk about.

They explore the mental load men carry silently:
💬 The pressure to “man up”
💬 The anxiety of becoming a dad
💬 The social silence around men's mental health
💬 The impact of social media and unrealistic expectations
💬 Divorce, midlife crisis and rebuilding identity

If you’re in construction, business or just feeling overwhelmed by the quiet pressure to “have it all figured out,” this one’s for you. This is the episode every man needs to hear and every partner needs to understand.

Because being a man isn’t about pretending you’re fine it’s about figuring out how to actually be okay.

Book a 1 to 1 session with Will here- https://onwardshift.com/counsellors/pick-your-counsellor/will-hamilton-person-centred-counsellor/

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

Money struggles are real, especially in the construction industry. Delayed payments, unpredictable income, living paycheque to paycheque and feeling like you're always one van breakdown away from chaos… sound familiar?

In this straight-talking episode of The Onward Shift Podcast, host Vishal Narbheram is joined by Rachel Harte, co-founder of Money First Aid, to tackle one of the last great taboos: talking about money.

With over 15 years in financial services, Rachel knows the pressure people face and she’s on a mission to make financial education accessible for everyone, especially those working in tough, shift-based industries like construction, retail and hospitality.

Together, they unpack:

• Why budgeting isn't about restriction, it's about freedom
• How to start saving when you feel like you’ve got nothing to spare
• The hard truths about credit cards, Klarna and ‘buy now, pay later’ traps
• Why so many tradespeople are stuck in debt and how to break the cycle
• What you really need to know about pensions, savings and compound interest

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This is real talk. No fluff. No judgment.

Just solid, actionable advice from people who get it. If you’ve ever felt embarrassed about money, stuck in financial stress or unsure where to even begin this episode is your wake-up call.

Books:

Rich dad poor dad - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rich-Dad-Poor-Teach-Middle/dp/1612680194

How to own the world- https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Own-World-life-changing-bestseller/dp/1473695309

Websites:

Boring money- https://www.boringmoney.co.uk/

Money helper- https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en

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