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Fall Seven Times: Brett Smith on Trauma, Addiction & Rebuilding a Life
Summary
In this powerful episode of the Onward Shift Podcast, Vishal Narbheram sits down with Brett Smith, Global Safety Director, to unpack a life defined not by tragedy but by resilience. At just 18 years old, Brett survived a horrific vehicle accident that left him without the use of his right arm. What followed was not just physical recovery but a far deeper battle with trauma, depression, addiction and suicidal ideation. Brett opens up about the years that followed the coping mechanisms that nearly destroyed him, the friend who called him out at his lowest point and the long road toward rebuilding his life, marriage and career. Now a leader in the construction industry, Brett is on a mission to revolutionise safety culture by putting mental health first. Through honest communication, peer support initiative, and creating safe spaces for vulnerability, he is proving that strength isn’t about silence it’s about connection. This is a conversation about trauma, redemption, leadership and what it truly means to meet people where they are.
💬 Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions around trauma, addiction, mental health struggles and suicide. Please listen with care.
Key Takeaways
- A single moment can completely change the trajectory of your life.
- Physical recovery does not automatically mean emotional recovery.
- Trauma left unprocessed can evolve into depression and addiction.
- Vulnerability is not weakness — it is leadership.
- Addiction can function as a coping mechanism for unresolved pain.
- One honest conversation can interrupt a suicidal spiral.
- Career success does not erase mental health struggles.
- Communication is the foundation of psychological safety.
- Construction must address mental health as seriously as physical safety.
- Creating safe spaces for men to speak openly can transform workplace culture.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction & Meeting Brett
00:55 The Accident That Changed Everything
03:53 Hospitalisation & Physical Recovery
08:28 PTSD, Depression & Early Mental Health Struggles
16:21 Addiction, Suicide Ideation & A Critical Turning Point
18:57 Marriage, Fatherhood & Rebuilding Stability
25:37 Entering Construction & Finding Purpose
30:14 From Surviving to Leading
31:28 Identity, Growth & Self-Discovery
39:57 The Mental Health Crisis in Construction
46:21 Peer Support & Creating Safe Spaces
57:15 Revolutionising Safety Culture Through Vulnerability
🎙️ Support & Stay Connected
🎙️ If you like this episode, please like it and share it.
🎙️ Don’t forget to subscribe for more updates.
Follow Onward Shift:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onwardshift/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onwardshift/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onwardshift
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onward-shift/
Learn more about the mental health support we offer: https://onwardshift.com
Follow Vishal Narbheram on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishal-narbheram-56bb3a194/
Learn more about Brett Smith on his LinkedIn profile here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettsmith77/
Learn more about Gardner Builders here: https://gardner-builders.com
View all episodes
By Hosted by Vishal Narbheram, Electrician and Founder of Onward ShiftSummary
In this powerful episode of the Onward Shift Podcast, Vishal Narbheram sits down with Brett Smith, Global Safety Director, to unpack a life defined not by tragedy but by resilience. At just 18 years old, Brett survived a horrific vehicle accident that left him without the use of his right arm. What followed was not just physical recovery but a far deeper battle with trauma, depression, addiction and suicidal ideation. Brett opens up about the years that followed the coping mechanisms that nearly destroyed him, the friend who called him out at his lowest point and the long road toward rebuilding his life, marriage and career. Now a leader in the construction industry, Brett is on a mission to revolutionise safety culture by putting mental health first. Through honest communication, peer support initiative, and creating safe spaces for vulnerability, he is proving that strength isn’t about silence it’s about connection. This is a conversation about trauma, redemption, leadership and what it truly means to meet people where they are.
💬 Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions around trauma, addiction, mental health struggles and suicide. Please listen with care.
Key Takeaways
- A single moment can completely change the trajectory of your life.
- Physical recovery does not automatically mean emotional recovery.
- Trauma left unprocessed can evolve into depression and addiction.
- Vulnerability is not weakness — it is leadership.
- Addiction can function as a coping mechanism for unresolved pain.
- One honest conversation can interrupt a suicidal spiral.
- Career success does not erase mental health struggles.
- Communication is the foundation of psychological safety.
- Construction must address mental health as seriously as physical safety.
- Creating safe spaces for men to speak openly can transform workplace culture.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction & Meeting Brett
00:55 The Accident That Changed Everything
03:53 Hospitalisation & Physical Recovery
08:28 PTSD, Depression & Early Mental Health Struggles
16:21 Addiction, Suicide Ideation & A Critical Turning Point
18:57 Marriage, Fatherhood & Rebuilding Stability
25:37 Entering Construction & Finding Purpose
30:14 From Surviving to Leading
31:28 Identity, Growth & Self-Discovery
39:57 The Mental Health Crisis in Construction
46:21 Peer Support & Creating Safe Spaces
57:15 Revolutionising Safety Culture Through Vulnerability
🎙️ Support & Stay Connected
🎙️ If you like this episode, please like it and share it.
🎙️ Don’t forget to subscribe for more updates.
Follow Onward Shift:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onwardshift/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onwardshift/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onwardshift
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onward-shift/
Learn more about the mental health support we offer: https://onwardshift.com
Follow Vishal Narbheram on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishal-narbheram-56bb3a194/
Learn more about Brett Smith on his LinkedIn profile here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettsmith77/
Learn more about Gardner Builders here: https://gardner-builders.com