Host: Ryan McIlhennon

Interviewee: Lesley Sackey

Trigger warning: Domestic Abuse 

Summary: In this deeply moving episode, Lesley Sackey —former GB boxer, gold medalist, and founder of Fight Forward and Pillow.ai—shares her journey from athletic success to surviving domestic abuse, and, ultimately, empowerment. Behind the medals was a story rarely told: one of surviving an abusive relationship and rediscovering her strength through the sport she once dominated.

Lesley speaks candidly about reclaiming agency through physical training, confronting societal assumptions around abuse, and building platforms to support women on their journey from surviving to thriving. Her story is a call for awareness, resilience, and community.

Connect with us on: 

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@maxim.app⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠/in/maxim-vr-app⁠⁠⁠ ⁠

Website: ⁠⁠www.maxim-vr.com⁠⁠

Don't forget to subscribe to Maximize Mental Health for new episodes every week

Host: Ryan McIlhennon

Interviewee: Ana Lameiras 

Trigger warning: General discussion of mental health challenges 

Summary: In this episode, we’re joined by Ana Lameiras, a mindset coach, sports psychology advisor, and mentor with a deep understanding of the pressures young athletes face—especially from her dual perspective as both a practitioner and mother of two football players. Ana reflects on the emotional and psychological development athletes undergo while navigating identity, academic stress, and media scrutiny. She shares insights from her work as a PFA mentor, where she supports players through leadership development, mental health guidance, and emotional intelligence training.

From the unique challenges of female footballers to the importance of authenticity, Ana emphasises empowering athletes not just to perform, but to truly understand and care for themselves beyond the pitch.

Connect with us on: 

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@maxim.app⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠/in/maxim-vr-app⁠⁠⁠ ⁠

Website: ⁠⁠www.maxim-vr.com⁠⁠

Don't forget to subscribe to Maximize Mental Health for new episodes every week

Host: Ryan McIlhennon

Interviewee: Sergio Plumari

Trigger warning: General discussion of mental health challenges 

Summary: In this episode, former professional athlete Sergio Lumari opens up about the intense mental pressures faced by young athletes.

Starting their careers as children, athletes are often thrust into high-stakes environments where performance is expected both physically and mentally. Sergio discusses how the constant scrutiny from social media and the public’s perception of athletes as “machines” can prevent honest conversations about mental health. He highlights common struggles such as burnout, anxiety, and depression, especially as athletes navigate transitions like retirement and entering the corporate world.

Sergio stresses the importance of building resilience, developing psychological toolkits, and recognizing athletes as multidimensional human beings beyond their talents.

Connect with us on: 

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@maxim.app⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠/in/maxim-vr-app⁠⁠⁠ ⁠

Website: ⁠⁠www.maxim-vr.com⁠⁠

Don't forget to subscribe to Maximize Mental Health for new episodes every week

Host: Ryan McIlhennon

Interviewee: Keisha York

Trigger warning: General discussion of mental health challenges 

Summary: In this episode, Keisha York, founder of the Black People and Psychiatry and Psychology Network (BiPP), discusses the significant racial inequities in the mental health field. With a Bachelor's in Psychology and a Master's in Organizational Psychiatry and Psychology, Keisha felt isolated as one of the few Black students in her programs. This sense of alienation, coupled with a curriculum that predominantly presented a Eurocentric view of mental health, motivated her to create BiPP. She emphasizes the need for decolonizing mental health education and increasing representation within the field to address systemic disadvantages faced by Black individuals.

Connect with us on: 

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@maxim.app⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠/in/maxim-vr-app⁠⁠⁠ ⁠

Website: ⁠⁠www.maxim-vr.com⁠⁠

Don't forget to subscribe to Maximize Mental Health for new episodes every week

Host: Ryan McIlhennon

Interviewee: Stefano Di Rico

Trigger warning: Anxiety/depression

Summary: In this insightful episode, 19-year-old Stefano Di Rico, a youth mental health campaigner and activist, shares his journey into mental health advocacy. Sparked by the need among his peers for advice and support, Stefano's involvement grew as he connected with national charities like Young Minds. He discusses the challenges in youth mental health, such as long waiting lists, the lack of preventive care, and the need for comprehensive education and early intervention in schools. Stefano emphasizes the importance of peer support, cultural shifts in mental health perception, and involving lived experiences in policymaking.

Connect with us on: 

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@maxim.app⁠⁠⁠ 

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠/in/maxim-vr-app⁠⁠⁠ 

Website: ⁠www.maxim-vr.com⁠

Don't forget to subscribe to Maximize Mental Health for new episodes every week

Host: Ryan McIlhennon

Interviewee: Kitty Alice

Trigger warning: Anorexia, PTSD & Anxiety

Summary:

In this episode, Kitty Alice, Co-founder of CounterPoint Wellness, shares her personal journey with PTSD and anorexia, which began at just 15 years old. Supported by her family, Kitty underwent therapy from a young age, but she quickly realized the limitations of the available support when her mental health challenges manifested as an eating disorder. This realization spurred her on a mission to improve mental health and support systems. Kitty discusses the crucial interconnectedness of physical and mental health, the importance of comprehensive health education in schools, and the need for accessible support services covering a range of needs from dietary to psychological.

Connect with us on: 

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@maxim.app⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠/in/maxim-vr-app⁠⁠⁠ ⁠

Website: ⁠⁠www.maxim-vr.com⁠⁠

Don't forget to subscribe to Maximize Mental Health for new episodes every week

Host: Ryan McIlhennon

Daniel Samosir Botcherby talks to Maximize about his journey to founding Kalda - the world's first LGBTQIA+ self-therapy and mental well-being app. He discusses with us what he thinks people most misunderstand about LGBTQIA+ mental health and the changes he would like to see in the world within the next few years.

Connect with us on:

Host: Ryan McIlhennon

Host: Ryan McIlhennon

Summary: Justine Graham ADHD coach and founder of Adaptive Minds, speaks to us about her own lived experience of ADHD and her advice for young people struggling with ADHD. With her work, she helps people to create their own set of rules that are built in THEIR brains so that everyone can show up as their authentic selves:

Don't forget to subscribe to Maximize Mental Health for new episodes every week

Host: Ryan McIlhennon

Madeleine started her podcast show in November 2020 “Unbroken: Healing Through Storytelling” which features amazing individuals who have all triumphed after adversity and have not just bounced back in life, but forward and are now making a difference for others.

Connect with us on:

Don't forget to subscribe to Maximize Mental Health for new episodes every week