Episode Summary

In this raw and eye-opening episode of The Onward Shift podcast, Zak Wilkinson opens up about his harrowing journey through steroid use, addiction and recovery. What started as a quest for the "perfect physique" at just 16 years old spiralled into a near-death experience that left Zak in a coma and forever changed his life.

Zak sheds light on the mental and physical toll of steroids, the pressure young men face from social media-fuelled body image ideals and the stigma around mental health in male-dominated industries like construction and fitness. With honesty and courage, he speaks about the darkest moments of his addiction and the long, often painful, road back to health, purpose and self-respect.

This episode is more than a warning it's a message of resilience, responsibility and hope for anyone facing similar struggles.

Key Takeaways

• Steroid use is dangerously common among young men, especially in fitness and trades.
• The desire for fast, visible results can drive long-term addiction.
• Steroids have severe mental and physical side effects including life-threatening complications.
• Zak began using steroids at just 16 and ended up in a coma.
• Mental health is often overlooked in fitness culture and construction trades.
• Recovery is not linear but support, honesty and self-awareness are essential.
• Social media warps male body standards and fuels insecurities.
• Family support and mentorship play a key role in recovery.
• There is no failure only lessons.

Episode Chapters

00:00 – Intro: The Steroid Epidemic
02:49 – Steroids 101: The Benefits and Risks
05:33 – Zak’s Story: From Curiosity to Dependency
08:34 – The Coma: A Near-Death Reality Check
11:14 – What Recovery Really Looks Like
13:53 – Coaches, Accountability & Culture
16:44 – Words to Young Men: Don’t Chase the Lie
19:28 – Family, Forgiveness & Rebuilding Trust
29:03 – Strength in Vulnerability: Fitness + Mental Health
30:49 – Living with Mental Health Challenges
33:58 – Mental Health Stigma in the Trades
35:08 – Inside the Mind of Steroid Addiction
37:27 – Instagram vs Reality: Body Image Today
41:18 – Warning Signs of Steroid Abuse
44:48 – Life After Addiction: Struggles & Progress
48:19 – Spreading Awareness & Owning Your Story

🎙️ 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐭.

🎙️ 𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬.

Follow Us On:

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onwardshift/

- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onwardshift

- LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onward-shift/

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onwardshift/

Find out more about Onward Shift and the mental health support we offer here- https://onwardshift.com

Learn more about Zach Wilkinson here - https://www.tiktok.com/@recoveryisnorace?lang=en-GB

In this powerful second episode with counsellor Will Hamilton, Vishal dives deep into one of the most pressing issues facing men today: loneliness. With over 8 million men in the UK experiencing loneliness weekly, this conversation tackles the root causes, the societal pressures and what we can actually do to reconnect both with ourselves and others.

Will explores the three types of loneliness emotional, social and environmental and explains how early childhood experiences, toxic role models, remote working and masculine norms can all contribute to this silent epidemic. From the construction site to the therapist’s chair, this episode brings hard truths, surprising insights and practical tools for men who feel stuck, isolated, or emotionally overwhelmed.

Vishal and Will also unpack:

• Why male loneliness is often masked by addictions, workaholism and emotional shutdowns
• The danger of not having real role models and how to become one yourself
• The importance of understanding your core values VS behaviours
• How breathing techniques can diffuse anger in high stress moments
• Why emotional literacy is the key to building healthier connections
• How small steps like walking or joining a local club can be life changing

This is not just a conversation. It’s a lifeline. For men navigating silence, shame and the invisible weight of expectation this one’s for you.

💬 Trigger warning: This episode contains candid discussions about loneliness, mental health, and emotional distress. Please listen with care.

Book a 1 to 1 session with Will here-

https://onwardshift.com/counselling/person-centred-counsellors/will-hamilton-person-centred-counsellor/

🎙️ 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐭.

🎙️ 𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬.

Follow Us On:

- Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/onwardshift/⁠⁠

- TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@onwardshift⁠⁠

- LinkedIn Page: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/onward-shift/⁠⁠

- Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/onwardshift/⁠⁠

Find out more about Onward Shift and the mental health support we offer here- ⁠⁠⁠https://onwardshift.com⁠⁠

In this episode of Onward Shift, Vishal sits down with Eve Lameks commercial manager, quantity surveyor and co-founder of Tender Trainers for a real, grounded and empowering conversation about all things tendering, business growth and thriving in the high-pressure world of construction.

Eve breaks down the tendering process in simple, actionable steps perfect for tradespeople and subcontractors ready to move from small jobs to major projects. She shares real-world strategies for avoiding overwhelm, managing risk and building profitable businesses, especially when navigating payment delays, QS relationships and those massive tender packs that can scare off even seasoned professionals.

But this conversation goes deeper. Eve opens up about the mental health pressures of running a business in construction, the stress and stigma faced by quantity surveyors and the impact of long payment terms on cash flow and wellbeing. She also discusses what it’s like being a woman in a male-dominated industry and how she’s built respect and resilience on some of the UK’s toughest sites.

Whether you're a subcontractor wanting to scale, a startup founder entering the commercial space, or just someone curious about what really goes on behind big construction projects, this episode delivers insight, support and encouragement in spades.

Topics include:

• How to win work without race-to-the-bottom pricing
• Understanding payment terms and protecting your business
• Why commercial clarity is essential for mental health
• The truth about corruption, backhanders and bidding culture
• Life on site as a woman in construction
• Practical tips to create a tender that win and makes profit

If you’ve ever felt out of your depth with tenders, this is the episode that’ll bring you back in.

Learn more about The Tendering Trainers Here - ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thetendertrainers⁠ ⁠

🎙️ 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐭.

🎙️ 𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬.

Follow Us On:

- Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/onwardshift/⁠

- TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@onwardshift⁠

- LinkedIn Page: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/onward-shift/⁠

- Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/onwardshift/⁠

Find out more about Onward Shift and the mental health support we offer here- ⁠⁠https://onwardshift.com⁠⁠