In this powerful episode, I sit down with Sam Farok — a bare-knuckle fighter known as the “one man army.”Find Sam Here - https://www.instagram.com/sam__farokk1?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==From a tough childhood in Kurdistan to travelling across Europe alone to compete in combat sports, Sam built himself from nothing but belief. No safety net. No excuses. Just resilience.We talk about:• Growing up without support and learning to back yourself• The mindset required to step into the ring• Discipline in martial arts vs the misconceptions around bare-knuckle fighting• The role of mentors and strong role models• Cultural pride and what Liverpool means to him• Why self-belief is everythingSam opens up about what fighting has given him — structure, identity, purpose — and the message he wants young fighters to hear.This is a conversation about resilience, discipline, and backing yourself when no one else does.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene01:04 Sam's Background and Early Life04:01 The Journey to Liverpool06:49 The Impact of Fighting on Sam's Life09:42 Life in Liverpool and Community13:25 Transition to Bare-Knuckle Fighting16:32 The Reality of Bare-Knuckle Fighting19:36 Future Aspirations and Goals22:10 Facing Adversity in the Ring25:49 The Importance of Team Support28:35 Breaking the Silence: Men's Mental Health33:11 Inspiration from Family and Role Models38:58 Believing in Yourself: The Key to Success40:35 Redirecting Youth: The Power of Boxing44:23 Fearlessness in Pursuit of Dreams

In this powerful episode of The Talking Tradesman Podcast, I sit down with Jay from Maibo Demolition & Groundworks for an honest conversation about pressure, loss, leadership and mental health in construction.Find Jay here - https://www.instagram.com/maibojay?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Jay shares what it’s really like running a family demolition business through the uncertainty of COVID-19, the financial strain on the industry, and the emotional weight of stepping up after losing his father. We talk about the responsibility of carrying a family name, the pressure to hold everything together, and what that does to a man behind closed doors.We also discuss the devastating impact of his younger brother Jack’s stroke and the strength it takes to support a loved one through recovery while running a business.This episode dives deep into:– Mental health in construction– Grief and leadership in a family business– The impact of COVID-19 on the demolition industry– Supporting family through trauma and recovery– Why social media became an outlet during difficult times– The importance of community support in the tradesIf you work in construction, run a business, or carry silent pressure for your family — this conversation will hit home.Open conversations save lives. And this is one of them.Chapters00:00 Meet Jay: The Demolition Expert01:11 The Reality of Demolition Work03:29 Challenges in the Demolition Industry04:42 Family Pressure and Business Name Origin06:17 Impact of COVID-19 on the Industry09:06 The Future of Construction and Demolition10:24 A Lifelong Journey in Construction12:21 Coping with Burnout in the Industry13:47 Venturing into Social Media15:14 The Evolution of Social Media Presence18:48 The Power of Social Media Marketing23:32 Monetisation and Opportunities in Boxing30:20 The Impact of Loss and Family Business40:35 Coping with Grief and Personal Struggles52:23 Facing Loss and Grief55:56 The Impact of Illness on Family58:47 Coping with Mental Health Challenges01:02:47 The Importance of Open Conversations01:09:36 Raising Awareness for Mental Health Support

In this episode of The Talking Tradesman, Russell Payne sits down with Inder Virdi, a health consultant specialising in nutrition, burnout, and chronic fatigue.Find Inder here - https://www.instagram.com/the_neuropath?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Together, they unpack why burnout is becoming so common in high-pressure industries — especially construction — and why it’s so often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or ignored altogether.Inder shares his personal journey from working as a chef to developing chronic fatigue syndrome, and the long, often frustrating road to recovery that followed. From there, the conversation opens up into the deeper connection between physical health, mental health, nutrition, and the environments tradespeople work in every day.They explore the cumulative damage caused by years in the industry — toxic exposure, poor diet, stress, lack of recovery — and why small things like knee pads, masks, and proper protection matter far more than most people realise. The discussion also touches on immune system overload, environmental toxins, technology exposure, and how chronic stress slowly drains the body long before people recognise the warning signs.This is an honest, eye-opening conversation about energy, burnout, and the cost of “just pushing through” — and why recognising the early signs could change, or even save, lives.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Burnout and Nutrition03:37 The High-Pressure World of Hospitality06:46 The Mental Toll of Creative Professions09:45 The Impact of Technology on Mental Health13:29 Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Personal Journey16:18 Understanding the Mind-Body Connection19:35 The Role of Trauma in Chronic Conditions22:03 Navigating the Healthcare System25:07 Recovery and Holistic Approaches28:27 Current Trends in Mental Health in Construction38:18 Mental Health Crisis in Construction41:22 Chemical Exposure and Health Risks46:06 Detoxification and Nutritional Strategies53:26 Cumulative Effects of Occupational Hazards01:06:28 Understanding and Preventing Burnout01:17:10 Exploring Nutrition and Mental Health Connections01:19:20 Understanding Energy Levels and Dietary Choices01:25:15 The Role of Supplements in Detoxification01:27:20 Challenging Dietary Norms and Lifestyle Changes01:33:17 Environmental Toxins and Their Impact on Health01:42:09 The Effects of 5G and Wi-Fi on Health