Stories of Success - David Westgate

In this series, I aim to bring to you stories of successes and what worked behind them. Each story will be different and bring forward different elements that lead to success. From faith to hardwork, luck, prayers, there are different factors that lead to success, as you will witness in all these stories.

The first story I am sharing is shared by my friend David, an Advertising Expert and Mental health advocate, and ambassador.

I had to scratch my head a little to find my personal victory. My children came to mind and a long-lasting marriage, but if I’m to be honest with myself, these victories belong more to my wife. After an adulthood spent with bipolar 1, I realise how lucky I’ve been in so many ways.

?But one victory stands out for me even though I know it will sound very small to most who read this – especially if you’ve never suffered from a mental illness.

?Some years ago, I applied to the Black Dog Institute to become a volunteer community presenter for them. Given my bipolar, I felt I had something I could contribute.

?So I applied and was accepted. But the Black Dog Institute is a very thorough organisation and every would-be presenter has to undertake a two-day training course. I wasn’t particularly concerned about it as I’ve had quite a lot of experience presenting in my career in advertising – it’s just part of the job.

?But on the first day of course, I was nearly crippled with anxiety. I’d barely slept the night before and I was completely rattled. My self-confidence had deserted me and self-doubt had moved in. My head raced and my nervous system was working overtime.

?I considered ringing up and cancelling before crawling back into bed, but a little voice told me to keep going. So I put one foot after another and somehow survived those two days. There were times when I thought that I would be physically ill, but I wasn’t.

?My victory, however, was not mine alone. One of the Black Dog facilitators, who is now an exceptionally good friend, sensed things weren’t 100% with me and helped guide me through the more demanding parts of those two days.?

?This was my victory. It seems so small, but even today I can still feel the anxiety that had taken hold of me that day.

?Looking back, there are two lessons that stand out for me:

?1.???Even though I felt like crap, I persevered. I didn’t let my mental illness defeat me.

?2.???While I persevered, I did not do so alone. By sharing my vulnerability that day, I gained the help of a wonderful person and professional who helped see me through, and in the process, became a wonderful friend.

?I have lost track of the number of presentations I have now given for the Black Dog Institute since then. Like anybody, I get nervous from time to time, but I love it and am so very glad I did not give up even though everything was telling me to do exactly that.

?This is my victory.