True healing starts the day you feel understood. When you are real, there are no demons to hide from.
Mitch Wallis is a leader in the mental health space with a lifelong mission to empower others to overcome suffering and reimagine the healing potential of the mind through the power of storytelling, connection & living with authenticity.
Growing up in Sydney, Mitch lived a very “normal” and privileged life. He was fortunate enough to join Microsoft as an intern when he was 19, the youngest person in the company at the time. After 5 years working in Australia, Mitch was promoted to Microsoft HQ in Seattle USA as global product marketing manager for ‘Surface’ where he worked on some of the biggest launches in the hardware space for the tech giant.
However, that wasn’t the full story. His inside life wasn’t the perfect Instagram moment. Since the age of 7 years old, Mitch has suffered a lifelong battle with debilitating anxiety, OCD, panic attacks, dissociation and depression which has seem him contemplating taking his life. In 2016, he broke down completely, leaving him unable to continue his life as he knew it. His life crumbled around him. He thought it was all over. After seeing a video on YouTube that saved his life, he was able to turn his life around and find his calling in the process.
On the 30th May 2017, his life changed overnight when he released a video of his story, in the hope that someone out there would feel understood and feel less alone by his unexpected yet painfully relatable journey. Within 1 week the video reached over 1 million people and started a global Movement where people all around the world began drawing and tattooing hearts on their arm and sharing their story.
Current Work:
Mitch now devotes himself full-time to helping solve the single biggest issue facing his generation - mental health. He is one of the most recognisable mental health speakers in Australia and abroad, having delivered keynotes to tens of thousands of people in the last few years. He has spoken at some of the most recognised companies in the world including American Express, Google, KPMG, Allianz and dozens more. He is a workplace wellbeing consultant - helping companies transform culture and create thriving organisations. He is a notable social media influencer & mental health advocate with over 30,000 followers, and also runs a weekly psychology Podcast called UNDERSTOOD. He is writing a book that is due to be published in 2022.
He was appointed the first-ever ambassador for the Australia & New Zealand Mental Health association, and has been named a Westfield Local Hero in their annual awards. He holds several boards and advisory positions - including SuperFriend and the Corporate Mental Health Alliance of Australia. He has been an expert advisor to the United Nations on the topic of youth mental health. He has featured across Sky News, Channel 10’s The Project, and recognised by GQ Magazine as a Man of Influence.
Mitch is a serial well-being entrepreneur. He is the founder of Heart On My Sleeve - a leading global mental health movement, training organisation and peer support platform that helps businesses and individuals tell stories and lean in to the tough conversations. He is also the founder of Calm Water - a relaxation drink company that relieves stress and anxiety.
Mitch has a Masters of Psychology degree from Columbia University in New York and a Bachelors degree in Commerce from the University of Sydney. He has done specialised study under leading global psychology teachers including Harvard’s Dr Dan Brown and UCLA’s Dr Dan Siegel. He is accredited in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and is a trained Lifeline Crisis Support phone operator.
In his spare time, Mitch is a DJ, certified yoga teacher, boxer, meditation junkie, fashion tragic, pasta enthusiast, tattoo lover, writer and socialite. Family & friends are the most important thing in his life. He has visited more than 20 countries to-date, represented Sydney in squash, and completed the NY marathon. His proudest achievement is doing a handstand whilst beat boxing in front of Cara Delevingne in Brooklyn NY at 3am in front of a hot dog stand.
Talking Points
The Heart of Coping
Mitch’s storyThe Heart of Coping
Exploring the darkest yet most insightful moments of his own mental health journey and it’s impact on his personal and professional life.
Demystifying mental health
Mental health is often misunderstood and it can be very confusing to know what it actually means. Using a unique framework, Mitch articulates exactly what this destination looks like, what the current barriers are to achieving it, and how we can move forward as individuals and as a society toward emotional wellbeing.
Toolkit of resources
Mitch explores his top 10 learnings & tools for coping and thriving based in neuroscience & lived experience. This includes the key mindsets & actions to maintain mental wellness for optimal cognitive, emotional and behavioural functioning.
Video
Mitch Wallis | Saxton Speakers
One of the most credible mental health speakers in the world. Book Mitch to speak at your company, conference or event.Mitch Wallis | Mental Health Keynote Trailer | Saxton Speakers
Mitch Wallis is an emerging leader in the Millennial generation with a lifelong mission to empower others to overcome suffering and reimagine the healing potential of the mind through the power of storytelling, conversation & living with authenticity.Heart On My Sleeve Movement for Mental Health | Mitch Wallis | Saxton Speakers
The Heart On Your Sleeve Movement is a human-led human-grown social campaign designed to break down the stigma of mental health amongst young millennials. Talk to anyone who has a mental health challenge and you will get the same answer: on the outside it may seem like society has made big steps forward accepting mental illness, but there is still a strong stigma in this country. People are quick to label others (consciously or subconsciously) as weak, crazy, boring or “too much effort”. There may be an epidemic of suicide, but the real underlying problem is the epidemic of loneliness. The numbers tell us that things aren’t getting better, and something needs to change.5 Steps to Maintaining Mental Health during Corona Virus | Mitch Wallis | Saxton Speakers
This is my mental health story | Mitch Wallis | Saxton Speakers
Mitch Wallis is a leader in the mental health space with a lifelong mission to empower others to overcome suffering and reimagine the healing potential of the mind through the power of storytelling, connection & living with authenticity.Such a fantastic session and I could've listened for hours from a leaderships side as well as a personal. Such great advice around being more open, a better listener and just being available ... keep reading American Express
It’s authenticity. The story that Mitch tells, and the way he tells it, breaks through. We’ve been having this conversation about wellness for a long time, inside of Microsoft, and making progress. But there’s no question that when we introduced Mitch to the team and saw how he shared his personal story it resonated in a way we hadn’t been able to get through in the past.
Mitch’s keynote events and workshops are always delivered with great proficiency. Mitch is an extremely knowledgeable and engaging speaker in the mental health space who has the ability to capture the audience, across each level of the organisation, with real passion and authenticity. Each program Mitch has delivered across our organisation is met with positive feedback and we have our people continuing to ask for more.
Honest and raw. Mitch shares his story with such passion & authenticity. A must for all in business. The learnings & insights will stay with you.
