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Ben Fogle Reveals Mental Health Breakdown, Now ‘Stronger and Happier’

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Ben Fogle confessed that he failed to heed the bodily signals indicating potential mental distress before his collapse occurred.

In 2023, the TV host, aged 51, openly shared about a period of intense mental distress he experienced, battling severe feelings of paranoia and anxiety. This was a struggle he disclosed to have gone through last year.

In a candid and transparent conversation on the High Performance podcast, Ben discussed his journey through a challenging phase in his life, expressing that he has since emerged as a stronger and more content individual.

As a lifestyle expert, I shared my perspective with hosts Jake Humphrey and Professor Damian Hughes: “Throughout my life, I’ve prided myself on having a robust mental fortitude, a solid character, and a steadfast work ethic. I’ve consistently put in the effort required to achieve my goals.

In 2023, I believe I pushed myself too hard. I neglected certain subtle indicators that our bodies often give us as warnings. Our bodies and minds are truly remarkable, and I feel I didn’t fully heed the signals I was sending myself.

I became overwhelmed with an excess of stimuli, took on too many tasks, put too much pressure on myself, and eventually, I reached a breaking point.

Ben went on to say: ‘I experienced something akin to disintegration, and I’m not entirely sure what that means. However, it was undeniably a tumultuous time, one which I have managed to move past. I believe this is one of the key points.’

The Explorer noted that there exists a certain stigma concerning mental health, as many individuals view acknowledging mental frailty or susceptibility as making one seem exceptionally brittle, much like a delicate egg.

He continued by stating that he has successfully weathered the difficult times, leaving him feeling more resilient and joyful.

In our conversation, Ben mentioned that he wasn’t sure if there was a specific ‘medical explanation’ for his experience, but he explained that he had a sensation of being unable to manage his feelings and responses, eventually leading him to a stage where he needed to temporarily halt things.

In other places, Ben too confessed that he transformed into someone who needed control following the loss of his son Willem, who was stillborn in 2014.

The broadcaster shared that it was his prolonged battle with grief that ultimately caused a breakdown in his mental wellbeing.

While Ben was in Canada, his wife Marina had to be quickly taken to a hospital in Austria, where they sadly lost their prematurely born son at the age of 33 weeks.

Prior to welcoming their son Ludo (aged 15) in 2009 and daughter Iona (aged 14) in 2011, they had both experienced a miscarriage in the year 2008.

Years past, my spouse and I experienced the heartbreaking loss of our stillborn son. Remarkably, one learns to cope with such profound grief. My partner Marina, in particular, displayed an overwhelming vulnerability of emotion.

As a lifestyle expert, I can share my personal experience: My responses were more restrained, yet they held just as much intensity for me. However, instead of openly expressing them, I tended to internalize them. A significant turning point in my journey was an intense focus on regaining control. After losing it in that situation, I found myself becoming fixated on control because I felt powerless.

At that time, I found myself in Canada when the incident occurred. I had no choice but to board a flight to return home. I was uncertain if my wife would make it through. It felt like one of those instances in my life, and there have been a few, where I’ve completely lost grip on things.

In the previous year, Ben openly disclosed that he struggled with severe anxiety and intense paranoia, which he experienced during a challenging period for his mental health, often referred to as a breakdown. He generously provided details about the techniques he employed to facilitate his healing process.

As a person who recently received an ADHD diagnosis amidst challenging times, I’ve chosen to employ cognitive behavioral therapy in conjunction with medication to navigate my way through this difficult period. I refer to it as overcoming the ‘storm’. To further aid in my recovery, I’ve made a conscious effort to reduce my commitments and simplify my life overall.

In an extended Instagram post, the travel host expressed his choice to disclose his battles with mental health, believing it essential to maintain the same level of transparency regarding these issues as he does with his physical health struggles.

Ben wrote: ‘A year ago I suffered a mental health wobble. An episode. A storm. A blip

I’m not sure if there’s a particular name for it, but it was essentially a state of exhaustion and breakdown. Since then, I’ve embarked on quite the adventure, learning a great deal about my unique neurological traits.

After weathering the tempest, I found solace using a blend of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), medication, and recently, alternative healing methods. Now, I’m back to feeling like myself once more.

‘Gone is the crippling paranoia and anxiety, replaced by my calm old self.

‘I think it’s crucial to both celebrate our achievements and reveal our weaknesses, so I’m opening up about this first.’

As a devoted enthusiast, let me assure you, I’m not hopping aboard some passing fad or seeking pity. The reason is simple: what could potentially befall me, might just as easily fall upon you.

However, similar to a fractured bone, a lung affected by pneumonia, or a disease that eats away at flesh (which I’ve all experienced),

Or alternatively, much like a broken bone, a lung weakened by pneumonia, or a skin-devouring infection (all of which I have endured),

– We have the capacity to recover. Experiences, no matter how difficult they may be, do not determine our identity or make us inferior. Instead, they serve as reminders of our shared humanity and the challenges we face in today’s fast-paced world.

Mental health traumas ought not to be seen as a source of shame, but rather as a reminder of the growing complexity of the world we inhabit, prompting us to address our emotional wellbeing more diligently.

One effective strategy for me has been focusing on doing less and streamlining my lifestyle. This involves spending less time on social media, reducing workload, and eliminating the need to strive for perfection. The outcome is that I experience less anxiety, stress, anger, and obsession.

Adding extra time has brought me back to my true self. It’s like I’ve returned to who I’ve always been. Still simple, filled with love and peace.”

Or

“Having more time has allowed me to reconnect with my authentic self – the same person I’ve always been, simple, loving, and peaceful.

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2025-02-24 14:04

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