At 21, Andrew Jenkins' life changed forever when a catastrophic car accident left him fighting for survival. Initially thought dead at the scene, Andrew defied the odds, emerging from a four-week coma to face a grueling recovery journey. Told he would never walk again, Andrew's determination saw him back on his feet in just two weeks.
In this powerful episode of The Resilience Project, host Wes Linden explores Andrew's extraordinary path from trauma survivor to BBC's "The Traitors" finalist & mental health advocate. Andrew shares his 25-year struggle with identity loss, self-worth issues, and the challenges of emotional suppression in a culture of toxic masculinity.
Listeners will gain unique insights into:
• Overcoming physical & mental trauma
• Breaking the stigma around mental health
• The power of vulnerability in personal growth & leadership
• Transforming adversity into a platform for positive change
Andrew's story is a testament to human resilience, from refusing counselling & putting on a brave face to finally opening up about his experiences.He offers valuable perspectives on rebuilding self-identity, the significance of emotional intelligence, and breaking generational cycles of suppressing feelings and vulnerability.
Whether you're facing your own life-altering challenges or seeking to understand the complexities of mental health & resilience, Andrew's journey from near-death to becoming an inspiration for millions will motivate you to embrace your own strength and vulnerability.
Join us for an episode that challenges traditional notions of masculinity, celebrates the power of authenticity, and demonstrates how one man's tragedy became a catalyst for helping others navigate their own life journeys.
00:00 Open
02:24 In a split second your life changed. What happened?
03:53 So four weeks in a coma?
04:54 What kind of work did they have to do on you?
06:18 Finalist in the BBC TV series The Traitors. Is fame important to you?
07:47 Loss of identity? How did you rebuild your sense of self?
09:39 No conversation with your parents about the accident.
11:47 The Professor who saved you.
14:23 Your family reaction to you finally speaking about the accident?
16:37 Changing a generational cycle.
18:32 Parents who put too much pressure on their kids.
20:28 Therapist advice on how grieving doesn’t only come with death.
23:01 What did you learn about your own resilience?
24:20 Years of silent struggle & lying on TV!
26:11 Your authenticity on TV and strategies for mental health & resilience?
29:52 Success & failure.
31:24 Doing what it takes.
32:45 Break
32:58 The big trek - a 1200 kilometre walk.
34:22 What kind of resilience lessons did you learn from that?
35:25 Motivation vs commitment.
36:16 Trek with a Traitor - charity initiative.
38:14 What advice would you give to people struggling with self-worth or self-confidence issues?
40:15 Taking compliments!
43:01 How to help someone who is struggling.
43:46 Old-fashioned views on vulnerability vs how we think today.
46:11 People being more open.
47:18 Vulnerability helping leadership.
48:00 What's been the most surprising aspect of your journey? From a brain injury survivor to a TV personality & mental wellbeing advocate?
50:35 Being that strong tough guy, who is now open about his feelings.
52:48 How can people find you?
54:23 What will the world be like because of Andrew in 2050?
56:36 Resilience closing words
58:56 Outro
Follow me: https://beacons.ai/theresilienceproject
Andrew's website: https://andrewjenkins.co
Work with Andrew: https://andrewjenkins.co/work-with-andrew
Donate to The Big Trek: https://andrewjenkins.co/the-big-trekBook to Trek with a Traitor: https://www.instagram.com/andrewjenkinsofficial/reel/DC1bKsyCMGq/
Andrew on social: https://www.instagram.com/andrewjenkinsofficialhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewjenkinsspeakerWes on social: / weslinden / weslinden Never miss an episode: https://www.weslinden.com/podcast