In this episode, Mike and Trevor sit down with former federal Health Minister Mark Holland for a conversation about what can happen when looking strong becomes more important than admitting you’re struggling.

After losing his seat in 2011, Holland watched much of the life he had built unravel. His political career was gone, his marriage ended, his relationship with his children suffered, and at his lowest point, he made an attempt on his life. But instead of asking for help, he tried to hide what was happening because he was afraid of being seen as weak.

Holland talks about where that need to prove himself came from, the toll of spending years in public life, and the realization that some of his worst decisions came when he was completely depleted. He also shares what helped pull him back, including purpose, meaningful work, and his relationship with his kids. The conversation explores what he does differently today, how he recognizes when he’s starting to run himself down, and why working less ultimately helped him become more effective.

They also turn to the bigger picture of men’s health in Canada and what Holland learned from leading the country’s health portfolio. For a man who once believed strength meant keeping everything to himself, his experience has given him a very different perspective on what strength actually looks like.

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