WHAT made you start blogging?
Well, I was actually running a technology company at the time and I am not technical, so I was very reliant on my tech team. That was pretty much a source of my anxiety because I felt like my life was in their hands. I just wanted something that was my own. So, at the end of a tough day at the office, where things haven’t necessarily gone my way, I could at least fall back on myself. 
I then began to write about mental health and coaching online. I knew from running a tech company how much competition there is, which meant I needed a USP. I started to think of images that could not only compliment my brand, but could embody my message of vulnerability, creativity and being free, showing who you really are, removing the mask. Something striking that would draw people to my message. 
That’s when the Naked Professor was born.
 
How did you come up with the name?
I don’t actually know. It just had a ring to it. It kind of tells a bit of a story. It’s something memorable, something catchy but it says what I do and who I am. 
 
Who is behind the images you take?

I work with a photographer who is also a friend.
 
When did you start to notice you were getting big on Instagram?
I guess it was April last year when The Independent newspaper wrote a feature on me and my blog, that was really surreal.
 
What is the message behind your podcast?
Fundamentally it’s a podcast about mental health, so Matt Johnson (his co-host) and I like to speak to high profile ‘heroes’ and invite them to share their real story.
It’s not about the glitz and the glamour of their Instagram page, this is their real-life story, the challenges that they have faced, the difficulties they had or are maybe still having.
It’s very empowering for the public to hear their heroes talk about their challenges. It makes people realise that no one lives a perfect life. I think it makes the average person to think; ‘I’m not alone here, it’s not a disaster, I can still get to somewhere great, I can still be someone’.

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Who would be your dream guest to have on the podcast?
I think my dream guest would be Prince Harry because he is doing so much great work with his mental health charity, Heads Together. I would love to have a sort of man to man chat with Prince Harry and Prince William to talk about their lives. I think this would encourage more people, especially men, to open up. If the Princes can be open, then so can you!
 
Can you tell us a bit about your own mental health?
I didn’t really know what anxiety was in my early twenties, you know everything was just fun but there was certainly a sense of emptiness that I later realised was anxiety. I didn’t have a regular pay cheque coming in, and I was stressed about where my life was going. Then, in my thirties I was suddenly like woah, adulthood is here. I need to be standing on my own two feet and making stuff happen and earning what I need. 
 
Did you speak to anyone about it?
Yes, I was fortunate enough to be able to work with a coach and she really transformed my life. I had no concept of growth or personal development or even mental health at that stage. I really didn’t. She helped me understand to get my brain working in a better way, if you like.
 
What advice would you give to someone who is suffering?
I would say talking is the number one thing we can all do. Try and find those friends who you feel you can really be open with. The first stage is opening up and removing the shame. It stops it from eating you up inside.
There is a lot of learning you can do on YouTube and the internet in general - there’s so much information out there. 
 
Who has been your favourite guest on the show?
One of my favourite conversations was with an ex-professional rugby player called Jim Hamilton. He’s a massive and tattooed and very much an alpha-male, but it was a real pleasure to talk to him in a very venerable way. He spoke about his experiences with depression and living as a professional rugby player and talked a lot about how he lacked love from his dad growing up.