Episode 111 | Overcoming Leadership Loneliness for Stronger Mental Health in Today’s Workplaces

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About Nick Jonsson:

Nick Jonsson’s narrative is a compelling tale of success, adversity, and authentic triumph. Initially driven by societal expectations and a desire to meet external standards of success, Nick led major international firms before facing a period of profound adversity. He confronted personal and professional crises, including executive loneliness, addiction, and the loss of a close friend to suicide. This sparked a transformative journey.    

From these challenges, Nick emerged with a redefined purpose and a commitment to holistic success. He authored the best-selling book “Executive Loneliness: The 5 Pathways to Overcoming Isolation, Stress, Anxiety, and Depression in the Modern Business World,” which draws on his personal struggles to guide others facing similar challenges.  

As a Certified Chief Master Coach (CCMC) and a Certified ICF Coach (ACTP), Nick Jonsson excels in executive coaching, empowering business leaders to enhance their effectiveness and become better leaders in their professional environments. Through life coaching, he helps individuals discover their purpose and craft their legacies, offering comprehensive guidance that addresses both personal aspirations and professional development. Celebrating six years of sobriety, Nick is also an accredited Sober Coach by the Sober Club in the UK, specializing in supporting grey zone drinkers to make transformative lifestyle changes.  

Furthermore, Nick founded a weekly men’s group, creating a supportive space for men to connect, grow, and thrive. He is also the co-founder of EGN, the largest peer network for executives in Southeast Asia. His impact extends through his roles as a coach, speaker, and Ironman Top 2% World Age Group Athlete. His advocacy for mental health, physical wellness, and emotional well-being stems from his experiences and his commitment to helping others achieve holistic success.  

Today, Nick gives back to society not only through his advocacy but also as a fundraiser and volunteer for a suicide prevention agency. He is actively involved in coaching other business executives to overcome loneliness, addiction, and to find their life purpose and write their legacy.  

Nick’s dedication to mental health advocacy was recognized when he was a finalist for the International Mental Health Campaigner of the Year at the InsideOut Awards in London, in 2021, and he won the Sabre PRovoke Award for Southeast Asia in the same year.  

Nick is an award-winning keynote speaker and workshop facilitator. He has been featured on over 100 international podcasts discussing his journey to assist others and has appeared in more than 30 newspapers and magazines, as well as on radio and TV.  

Happily married and with a son aged 15, Nick Jonsson stands as a testament to the power of resilience and the human spirit. His journey from societal-induced success through adversity to a life of authentic achievement offers inspiration and a roadmap for those seeking to find their own path to genuine fulfillment.

Episode Notes:

Content Warning: talk of death by suicide

Dr. Laura welcomes Nick Jonsson, Certified Master Coach, keynote speaker, and author of the best-selling book “Executive Loneliness: The 5 Pathways to Overcoming Isolation, Stress, Anxiety, and Depression in the Modern Business World”, to the show to examine mental health, especially in leaders. Nick shares his personal story of loss of confidence, mental health challenges, and a spiral into addiction in a vulnerable illustration of how he learned the necessity of sharing and support to facilitate recovery. Sober and healthy today, Nick’s drive is to share his story so others can find the strength to break out of loneliness like he did. 

Nick and Dr. Laura dive deep into the truth about loneliness on an executive level, the prevalence of death by suicide among men, and why support groups are vital for a healthy life before we ever hit addiction. Nick is honest about how difficult it is to be vulnerable, but how life-changing it also proves to be. He shares stories from his coaching, his book, and the culture he currently nurtures in his company. His definition of spirituality is “accepting the things we are not in control of,” and he uses spirituality as a way to connect with people and continue to thrive in recovery and assist others to do the same.

“I mean, it’s uncomfortable to be vulnerable, but we can practice that. And I talk a lot about the vulnerability muscle, and that it’s like going to the gym. We train our muscles. We need to do that with vulnerability as well. And it’s about starting small. And I was fortunate that I had a drinking problem, because that brought me to the 12-step programs. And over the years, I’ve been to almost a thousand of these meetings. Perhaps the first 100, I needed the help. The rest of the 900 were for me to give back and help others. And that has kept me on this path of being vulnerable, sharing my challenges, and no matter what is on my mind, I will come in there and I will share what the challenge is and I will leave the meeting feeling better.” Nick Jonsson

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