Fiona Scott Media Consultanccy

Leadership mentor and entrepreneur Gary Parsons is using Face Equality Week (May 13 to 17) and Mental Health Awareness Week (May 13 to 19) to spotlight a subject close to his heart – the mental health of leaders.

For too long, the mental health conversation in business has focused solely on employees. Gary is breaking that silence. As someone who built a multi award-winning, seven-figure business while battling the hidden effects of facial paralysis, he knows first-hand the cost of ignoring your own wellbeing at the top.

Gary, 41, from Derbyshire, developed Bell’s Palsy as a teenager and has lived with permanent facial paralysis ever since. For over 20 years, he masked his condition — both emotionally and physically — never smiling in public, and pouring his energy into business success. But behind closed doors, he was facing depression, anxiety, and burnout.

“I was hiding my smile and hiding myself. I threw everything into building a successful business, but behind the scenes, I was mentally and emotionally running on empty.”

It wasn’t until appearing on Channel 4’s Love My Face a few weeks ago that Gary began to truly confront how much he had neglected his own mental health. The show, which follows people with facial differences on a journey of self-acceptance, became a mirror - and ultimately a turning point.

“Letting myself be seen, tears and all, was healing. It was the moment I stopped hiding and started embracing who I am, including my smile.”

The experience led Gary to leave the company he had built over 15 years, stepping back in phases until he fully exited earlier this year. Since then, he has devoted himself to supporting other leaders to prioritise wellbeing, face internal struggles head-on, and lead with authenticity.

Through keynote talks, leadership consultancy, and his Leaders in Disguise podcast, Gary opens up the conversation about mental health at the top. Gary believes that vulnerability, especially in leadership, is a strength, not a flaw.

“We talk about employee wellbeing, but no one talks about what it’s like for the person leading the business - especially when you’re trying to outrun your own trauma. I was that leader. Now I help others make space for themselves before they burn out.”

During Face Equality and Mental Health Awareness Week, Gary will be collaborating live on Instagram by Facial Palsy UK, a charity which supports and informs people with facial palsy, and he is hosting a free webinar for business professionals to discuss their mental health challenges — whether personal, professional, or linked to visible difference.

The webinar, “The Masks We Wear: Leadership, Mental Health & Learning to Smile Again”, takes place on Thursday 15th May at 12:30pm till 1:30pm. To register for this webinar, follow the link http://bit.ly/3EZ1N68

“This webinar will be a safe space to talk openly - whether it’s about facial difference, burnout, or simply the pressure of being ‘the strong one’ at work. These stories need to be heard,” he said.

Contact Name:
Fiona Scott
Role:
MD
Company:
Fiona Scott Media Consultanccy
Contact Email:
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Contact Phone:
07789270030
Company Website:
https://garyparsons.uk
More Details:
https://scottmedia.uk

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