Managing Anxiety When Passion Drives Your Work with Poppy Jaman, OBE

How can you build a mentally healthy workplace while still managing the pressure, expectations, and emotional challenges of mission-driven work? In this episode, I talk with Poppy Jaman, OBE, founding CEO of Mental Health First Aid England and CEO of the City Mental Health Alliance, now known as MindForward Alliance UK, about creating workplaces where people can bring their whole selves to work while maintaining healthy boundaries. We break down how stigma prevents people from seeking support, and the mental health challenges that come with caring and mission-driven work. Poppy also opens up about her experience with postnatal depression, how meaningful work supported her mental health, and the practices she uses to protect her mental well-being. Tune in to learn how to recognize your own stress signals, check in with yourself, and build a personal toolkit for staying mentally well.  Check out our sponsors: HeyPolo - Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to heypolo.com/achiever or use code ACHIEVER and get 40% off your first year! Life at the Speed of Play - Go to getmarksbook.com/anxious to get two copies for the price of one - one for you and one for a friend. Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch and save 50% off your first year at monarch.com with code ACHIEVER. Notion - Learn more about how Notion can support your business, at notion.com/achiever Shopify - Ready to start your business before Black Friday? Go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever to start your free trial today! In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 What does a mentally healthy workplace look like? 03:45 Creating a culture where people can bring their whole selves to work. 05:15 Balancing authenticity with healthy boundaries at work. 07:45 Why compassion can be more helpful than empathy in leadership. 10:00 What happened to inspire your journey into workplace mental health? 15:45 How meaningful work can provide purpose, identity, and support during difficult times. 18:45 The stigma that makes mental health and leadership difficult to talk about. 21:00 Why mission-driven and caring professions can create unique pressures. 23:30 Protecting relationships and personal time when your work is your mission. 26:00 What’s the cost of giving your whole self to your work? 27:30 How to check in with yourself and name what you’re feeling. 29:15 Building a personal well-being toolkit around the things that make you feel good. 30:30 How to use your stress signature to recognize when you need extra support. Resources + Links Learn more about MindForward Alliance UK (formerly City Mental Health Alliance) HERE Learn more about Mental Health First Aid England HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Poppy Jaman on LinkedIn: @poppyjaman