What happens when you’ve lived your whole life behind a mask maybe one involving the idealism of masculinity - was that toxic masculinity. Then one day it falls away? In this gripping episode, Amardeep Parmar sits down to talk about the moment everything changed and the surprising lessons he’s learned from it all.
From his early years growing up in Barkingside, East London, faking confidence to fit in, to losing friends to suicide, Amardeep’s story is one of constant reinvention.
He candidly shares how, even though he seemed to have it all together on the outside, inside he was spiralling. His struggles with anxiety, and faking it and the crushing pressure to appear strong offer a raw, unfiltered look at how toxic masculinity nearly took over.
But it’s not all heavy. Amardeep’s breakthrough moment comes with a decision that will surprise you: instead of drowning in the past or fearing the future, he chooses to live "aggressively" in the present. And that’s just the start.
Amardeep shares how, many moments in his life started as side projects, experimenting that led to finding his magic. He grew faster than all fellow writers except for one, Barack Obama, the US President. What was he writing about you'll have to watch the episode to find out.
The episode takes a surprising turn when Amardeep talks about the impact of his father's death, a moment that rocked his world and everything changed again.
What was meant to be a side hustle, BAE HQ, started as a legacy project, a way to honour his dad's belief in him. But even more unexpected? How this tragedy became the catalyst for Amardeep's radical shift in perspective on work, grief, and self-worth.
And, just when you think you know where the story is headed, Amardeep flips the script again, opening up about the strong female influences in his life, how they’ve reshaped his views on vulnerability, and what he really thinks about traditional 'alpha' masculinity - especially in a Punjabi background.
This conversation is full of twists, heartfelt moments, and unfiltered honesty. It’s not just about mental health; it’s about confronting who you thought you were and realising who you really want to become.
Listen now to hear how Amardeep Parmar went from living behind a mask to living his life, on his own terms, and why he believes every man needs to do the same.
Amardeep #YouAreAClassOfYourOwn
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Host: Mira Magecha
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Creative Director: Alex Payne
https://www.instagram.com/alexjamespayne
Editor: Josh Partridge
https://www.instagram.com/joshfilmmaker
Music: Jay Witsey
https://www.instagram.com/jay.witsey
Studio: Podcast House
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Episode bought to you by: play for change
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