Simon Phillips

Have you experienced Mental Illness?

I have reasonably severe bi-polar & ADHD. I’ve tried various medications throughout the years. Right now I use a mood stabilizer called Lamotrigine & Ritalin for my ADHD. I have extreme manic & depressive phases. I don’t view what I “have” as an illness, you could call it a skillness?

A few years ago I came to terms with it, and realised I simply have a different brain to most, and the only thing I can do was play to my strengths.

When I’m manic I can work infinite hours, ideas are easy, I have pure belief in success, extreme creativity – This is the period where I get the most done. When I’m depressive I feel as though the world has no meaning, there is no point, the company will fail tomorrow – This is the period where I consolidate what I have achieved. It is a struggle to operate in a severely depressed state, but I just do the best I can and wait for the turn around, which always comes at some point.

What did you think helped you the most?

Finding the right medication was important for me, I think it has helped a lot.

Surfing has done amazing things for my mind-set as well. There is something about connecting with a hobby, or passion, like surfing that is out in nature.

Throughout your career have there been any low points?

• Losing a 500,000 follower fan page in 2013, that was worth millions of dollars.

• Getting a spinal infection and not being able to walk for 9 months.

• Losing my partner of 2 years over some silly stuff.

All this had a direct effect on the success of my business and I suppose it’s just about ignoring what occurred and starting again when the dust settles.

How did you bounce back from those low points?

I believe the first step is to comprehend that what is occurring in your mind is the result of chemicals and electricity floating around via synapses. That’s not very technical, but you get what I mean. We don’t have the ability to control that, but I believe that we do have, is the ability to create a reality for ourselves.

Get the little things done. When I’m struggling, a task as simple as doing the dishes and the feeling that I did work through can lead into a bunch of actual effective work.

Reach out for support and don’t be embarrassed. We all have something to offer.

Find out what you are good at and truly have to offer. Go all in on it.

Any advice for someone that wants to follow your footsteps and start up a business?

There is no real answer for it. Find a niche, research, invest and see what happens. When you have a start point you can ask more directed questions which are answerable.