What does good work actually feel like and what should it never feel like?

In Episode 72 of the mentl space podcast, Scott Armstrong is joined by Mark Rix, Group Managing Director of Sonus Group and the driving force behind the global Wellbeing at Work World Summits, for a deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation about leadership, psychological safety, and why wellbeing must be embedded into how organisations truly operate.

Mark shares the formative experience that shaped his entire leadership philosophy, from working underground in a South African gold mine at just 18 years old, to leading global conversations on mental health and workplace culture today.

Together, Scott and Mark explore:

Why wellbeing is often talked about but poorly implemented

The real impact of untrained managers on employee mental health

Why younger generations are struggling more at work than ever before

How leadership, listening, and psychological safety affect performance

Why wellbeing is not “soft”, but foundational to long-term success

Across the region, leaders are being asked to deliver higher performance while building more human organisations. As the finalists and winners of the mentl awards 2025 demonstrated, workplace wellbeing is no longer a side programme. It is now a core part of business strategy, performance, and culture.

That is why Scott is proud to be chairing the Wellbeing at Work World Summits again in January 2026, marking his third year chairing in Dubai and Riyadh, and a return to Muscat as the summit travels to the Sultanate.

As a mentl follower, you can access an exclusive summit discount:

50% off tickets using code MARK50

An even larger discount is available by joining the mentl community at mentlcommunity.com

Riyadh: Thursday 22 January 2026, Alfaisal University, Riyadh - Click here for more information and tickets https://wellbeingatwork.world/summit/wellbeing-at-work-summit-middle-east-2026-riyadh/#Tickets

Muscat: Tuesday 27 January 2026, Omantel, Muscat - Click here for more information and tickets https://wellbeingatwork.world/summit/wellbeing-at-work-summit-middle-east-2026-muscat-2/#Tickets

Dubai: Thursday 29 January 2026, Standard Chartered, DIFC - Click here for more information and tickets https://wellbeingatwork.world/summit/wellbeing-at-work-summit-middle-east-2026-dubai/

🎧 Also available on Spotify, and Apple Podcasts

🔔 Subscribe to the mentl space for conversations that change how we think about work, leadership, and mental health.

Chapter List:

00:00 – Welcome to the mentl space podcast
01:20 – How Mark Rix personally defines mental health
02:43 – The gold mine story: “This is not how work should feel”
04:45 – Psychological safety, belonging, and being human at work
07:02 – Leadership lessons learned underground
10:18 – Why dangerous work exposes bad leadership faster
11:44 – How attitudes to wellbeing at work are changing globally
18:24 – Performative wellbeing and untrained managers
22:23 – Loneliness, younger workers, and psychological safety
27:59 – Leading across generations and the future of work
40:48 – What judging the mentl Awards revealed about real progress

How well are women really doing in the workplace today?

In this powerful episode of the mentl space, host Scott Armstrong sits down with Maya Rafii, Managing Director and Purpose, Culture & Inclusion Leader at Deloitte Middle East, to explore the findings of the new Women @ Work 2025: A Global Outlook - Deloitte’s fifth annual deep dive into the lived experiences of 7,500 women across 15 countries.

Together, they unpack a picture that is both hopeful and deeply concerning:

🔹 51% of women say their mental health is good, yet
🔹 43% say they’re very concerned about it, and
🔹 Almost 90% believe their manager would think negatively if they disclosed a mental-health challenge.

We also dig into the “always-on” culture where 29% feel unable to switch off, and those regularly working beyond contracted hours report drastically poorer well-being - only 15% rate their mental health as good, compared to 58% among those who can disconnect.

Maya shares her 20-year journey building Deloitte’s inclusion culture, the hard truths about psychological safety, and what leaders must do next — not as a box-ticking exercise, but as a business imperative.

We also explore:

✨ The mental load and why it’s silently draining women’s productivity
✨ The confidence-shaking impact of menopause and menstrual health at work
✨ Why flexible work boosts mothers’ mental wellbeing, productivity, and retention
✨ Why only 5% of women see themselves staying with their employer long-term

This conversation is essential listening for leaders, HR professionals, DEI champions - and anyone who believes a better workplace is possible.

Chapter List:

00:00 Welcome & Why This Conversation Matters
02:30 What the Women @ Work 2025 Report Reveals
05:00 Maya’s Journey & Deloitte’s Inclusion Evolution
07:00 A Mixed Picture: Progress vs Rising Pressure
09:00 The “Always On” Culture & Mental Load
11:00 The Hidden Cost of Stress & Overwork
13:00 Psychological Safety: The 90% Challenge
15:00 What Leaders Must Do Differently
17:00 Building a Wellbeing-First Culture
19:00 Women’s Health Challenges at Work
21:30 The Care Burden & Its Economic Impact
24:00 Flexibility as a Catalyst for Retention
26:30 Neurodiversity & Disclosure in the Workplace
29:00 The Retention Crisis: Only 5% Plan to Stay Long-Term
31:00 Microaggressions & Non-Inclusive Behaviours
34:00 Closing Insights & Call to Action

In this special episode of the mentl space, host Scott Armstrong, founder of mentl, sits down with Sinead O’Connor and LuAnne D’Souza from Current Global MENAT - joint winners of the mentl awards 2024 in the PR category and finalists again for 2025.

Fresh from a powerful team workshop led by Scott from mentl, and organizational psychologist Sarah Christensen, the trio unpack the realities of agency life - constant connectivity, blurred boundaries, burnout, and the drive to create belonging in a 24-hour news culture.

They explore the central theme: why there really is an ‘I’ in team - and how embracing individuality, vulnerability, and trust can transform wellbeing, creativity, and business performance.

🎥 Recorded at Current Global MENAT, Dubai, following a mentl × Christensen Consultancy joint workshop on resilience and team connection.

Chapters

0:00 – Welcome from Scott Armstrong: “There is an ‘I’ in Team”
1:29 – Sinead O’Connor on global pressures and lived experiences at work
2:36 – LuAnne D’Souza on being “always on” and struggling to switch off
3:18 – The WhatsApp culture and blurred client boundaries in PR
4:31 – Sarah Christensen on rapid change, burnout, and lost human connection
6:22 – PRCA data and worsening mental-health trends in the communications industry
7:09 – Inside the 24-hour news cycle: constant deadlines and client demands
9:08 – WhatsApp anxiety and learning to set boundaries
10:15 – Tone from the top: creating safety and respect in agency culture
12:00 – “PR not ER”: leadership philosophy and wellbeing at work
13:52 – The business case for wellbeing and performance
14:58 – Why individuality drives innovation: “There is an ‘I’ in Team”
17:10 – Celebrating differences and learning across disciplines
18:27 – Inclusion vs fitting in: vulnerability and authentic leadership
22:00 – Psychological safety and unleashing creativity
24:25 – Turning conflict into constructive challenge
26:25 – The power of reflection and team sharing exercises
27:46 – Seeing colleagues in a new light: human connection in action
28:36 – Why conversations and “water-cooler” moments fuel belonging
30:33 – Turning pressure into opportunity: culture change from within
31:39 – Reflection rituals and red-orange-green check-ins
33:45 – How to measure success: belonging you can feel
35:16 – Culture as reputation: when people want to work with you
36:10 – Sinead’s takeaway: kindness and role-modelling from the top
36:47 – Sarah’s takeaway: authenticity and heart in leadership
38:06 – LuAnne’s takeaway: individuality and accountability
38:39 – Scott’s close: individuality + collective = healthy team

Launching your own business is exhilarating - but it can also be lonely, terrifying, and full of unexpected challenges.

In this episode of the mentl space, Scott Armstrong sits down with Dr. Naim Maadad, CEO & Founder of Gates Hospitality and a judge for 'the mentl awards 2025', alongside Shamia Abdul Aziz, a seasoned marketing leader turned first-time entrepreneur, to explore how mentorship can shape the entrepreneurial journey.

From the emotional rollercoaster of leaving corporate life, to building resilience, finding discipline, and celebrating small wins, this candid conversation dives deep into what it really takes to step into entrepreneurship - and why having the right mentor can make all the difference.

🏆 Dr. Naim also shares what inspires him as a mentl awards judge, and why recognizing mental health leadership in the workplace matters more than ever.

🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.

👉 Visit mentlawards.com to learn more.

⏱ Timestamps / Chapters

0:00 – Welcome & Introduction
1:07 – Shamia’s leap from corporate life to entrepreneurship
5:24 – Why mentorship matters: Naim’s personal story
6:40 – Lessons from mentees: reverse mentorship
9:06 – How having a mentor shapes the journey
10:29 – Why Naim chose Shamia & the evolving business landscape
14:15 – Facing the emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship
17:12 – Best advice Naim received from his mentors
19:23 – Building resilience and stepping back to see the bigger picture
21:01 – Mentorship as a support system
22:33 – Celebrating small wins to stay motivated
24:19 – Learning from setbacks and avoiding comparison traps
37:02 – Gates Hospitality’s new venue reveal
38:30 – Mentl Awards 2025: Why it matters to celebrate mental health
40:51 – The value of entering the mentl awards
42:26 – Shamia’s advice for new entrepreneurs: asking for help
43:26 – Choosing the right mentor
45:35 – Three mistakes to avoid when starting out
47:26 – Patience as a superpower in business
48:46 – Final advice from Dr. Naim
49:39 – Closing thoughts & outro

In this powerful episode of the mentl space, Scott Armstrong sits down with Leah Cotterill, CEO of Cigna Healthcare Middle East & Africa and a judge for 'the mentl awards 2025'.

Filmed at the stunning Folly Brasserie – the official venue for this year’s awards – this conversation explores how mental health, leadership and culture intersect in a fast-paced, high-performing region like the UAE.

Leah shares deeply personal stories and professional insights, from managing burnout and leading with empathy to Cigna’s award-winning 5% pledge and why trust is at the heart of thriving workplaces.

Whether you're a CEO, people leader, or just passionate about wellbeing, this one is not to be missed.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and share if this conversation resonates with you.

🌟 LEARN MORE:
Enter the mentl awards 2025: mentlawards.com

CHAPTERS & TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Welcome to Folly Brasserie & Leah Cotterill introduction
01:09 – What does mental health mean to Leah?
04:24 – How’s your mental health today?
06:56 – Balancing leadership and wellbeing as a CEO
09:15 – “I don’t have an off switch, but I have a dial” – managing energy
11:46 – Why executive coaching changed Leah’s leadership
13:43 – How becoming a parent reshaped her mindset
16:37 – Where leadership is failing (and how to fix it)
21:10 – What derails leaders? Lessons from psychological assessments
26:06 – UAE paradox: High energy, high burnout
30:10 – Cost of living, social isolation and the loneliness epidemic
32:38 – What employers must do differently
36:28 – Why some leaders still don’t believe wellbeing drives performance
39:07 – Inside Cigna’s 5% pledge and coaching initiative
51:35 – ROI of empathy and investing in people
58:54 – The power of niche mental health support
1:05:46 – Gen Z, wellbeing-first careers & the future of leadership
1:10:38 – Why wellbeing is not a compromise – it's a performance driver
1:13:02 – “Assume good intent. Be kind.” – Trust as the secret to culture
1:15:30 – Closing thanks & call to action for the mentl awards

“Talent will flock to companies that protect their mental health.”

In this inspiring episode of the mentl space, we sit down with Mazin Gadir PHD, scientist, strategist, and one of the inspiring judges for the mentl awards 2025.

🌐 Learn more about the mentl awards 2025: https://mentl.space/posts/the-mentl-awards-2025-enter-and-join-our-community-of-hope

From his early career in quantum physics to advising governments on healthcare strategy, Mazin shares the science, the stories, and the practical habits that drive resilience. We cover why mental health is now a business imperative, how AI can enhance (not erode) human connection, and why gratitude might just be the ultimate performance hack.

🎥 Recorded at the Leaders Lounge, Nexus, Expo City Dubai earlier this year during Ramadan.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why mental health is the real competitive advantage for businesses

The link between quantum physics, energy, and wellbeing

How AI can transform healthcare without losing the human touch

Simple, science-backed habits for better mental health

Why gratitude and community are essential for resilience

🔔 Subscribe to the mentl space for more conversations with thought leaders shaping the future of mental health.

⏱ Chapter List

00:00 – Intro: “Talent will flock to companies that protect their mental health”
01:05 – What mental health means to Mazin
02:50 – Lessons from family, teachers, and community in Abu Dhabi
05:30 – From quantum lasers to healthcare innovation
08:31 – How quantum physics shaped his mental health philosophy
10:52 – The UAE’s next big challenge: private sector leadership in mental health
14:04 – The rewards for businesses that get wellbeing right
15:53 – Rethinking money, happiness, and success
17:23 – AI and the marriage of technology with mental health
20:44 – Why ethics and research must guide AI adoption
23:20 – AI in action: real-world healthcare use cases
25:21 – Can technology create more human connection?
26:45 – Mazin’s three-part formula for mental health: sleep, diet, gratitude
29:13 – How gratitude fuels energy — and why charity is the key
31:07 – The power of community as a support system
32:48 – Sleep habits that transform energy and performance
35:43 – Is social media good or bad for mental health?
41:12 – Lessons from Mazin’s father: kindness, health, and perspective
43:21 – Closing thoughts & subscribe

What if leadership wasn’t just about skill but about your brain?

In this deeply insightful episode of the mentl space, Scott Armstrong sits down with Jason Leavy, founder of Prime Performance Labs and judge for 'the mentl awards 2025' and cognitive neuroscientist Samira Cutts, to explore how brain science, neuroplasticity, and emotional intelligence are transforming leadership in the modern workplace.

We talk burnout, hustle culture, emotional regulation, sleep, purpose, and even why your leg strength could determine your brain health. And Scott opens up on-air about his own personal trauma and transformation - and how that’s shaped his purpose and drive today.

🎧 Whether you're a CEO, an entrepreneur, or just someone who wants to live and lead better, this episode is packed with practical, science-backed tools to help you become the best version of yourself.

🏆 Learn more about 'the mentl awards 2025' and enter today at mentlawards.com

Chapters:
00:00 – Intro: What is Mental Wealth?
01:01 – What is Prime Performance Labs?
01:49 – Neuroscience in leadership: what’s new?
03:12 – Explaining brain function for better leadership
04:26 – Can bad leaders become better?
05:14 – Rewiring the brain: The growth mindset
06:39 – Jason’s personal leadership journey
09:40 – What does a cognitive neuroscientist do?
11:48 – Brain connectivity and executive function
13:40 – Fixing imbalances with neurotechnology
15:15 – Aging, neuroplasticity & leg strength
17:12 – Why we need an integrated approach
18:51 – Modern workspaces and immobility
20:48 – Hustle culture vs. performance science
23:04 – Chronic stress, inflammation & health risks
27:54 – Why leaders are ignoring mental health data
29:23 – Switching off: the power of down-regulation
31:05 – Stigma: Mental health ≠ weakness
32:02 – The ROI of mental performance
34:34 – What does prime performance mean?
35:30 – Scott’s own health assessment begins
38:40 – Why poor sleep is ruining your brain
41:19 – Nutrition & alcohol’s cognitive impact
43:09 – Stress, trauma & the power of awareness
47:13 – Scott’s story: purpose and healing
50:05 – Purpose as a performance driver
53:30 – Science of purpose and occupational therapy
55:39 – Purpose with a small "p"
56:26 – Sustainable transformation, not quick fixes
57:18 – Social media myths & fitness pressure
58:41 – Building inclusive, authentic health habits
59:44 – Three simple brain-body performance tips
1:01:56 – Final thought: Treat emotions as data
1:03:52 – One more thing… Embrace adversity

"Once you come to acceptance, you realise it’s not that bad. If you’re not pushed, you’ll never discover what you’re truly capable of.”

These powerful words from Dr. Ahmed Shatila, Neurology Consultant at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, encapsulate his extraordinary journey of resilience after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) at just 21 years old.

Last year this inspirational medic was honoured in the 11th edition of the Abu Dhabi Awards, presented by UAE President, H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. We're delighted this year Dr Shatila has joined our panel of independent judges for 'the mentl awards 2025'.

Learn more about 'the mentl awards 2025' at mentlawards.com

Recorded live at the 5th Abu Dhabi Integrated Mental Health Conference, Dr. Shatila’s conversation on ‘the mentl space’ podcast during our Tear Away The Silence mental health awareness campaign, supported by Viatris, offers an unfiltered look at his emotional battle, the lessons he’s learned, and the profound impact of his diagnosis on his career, family, and perspective on life.

Dr. Shatila’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, the human spirit, and the importance of acceptance. His message is not just for those with MS, but for anyone facing adversity. We’re honored to share his journey.

Watch the full conversation now.

Chapter list:

00:00 Introduction from the Conference
00:36 Meet Dr. Ahmed Shatila
01:43 His Personal Journey Begins
02:58 What is Multiple Sclerosis?
06:17 Living with MS at 21
08:10 The Mental Health Impact
11:34 Lessons from Struggle
13:09 Parenting with Purpose
14:24 A Call to Acceptance
16:35 Advice to Gen Z and Millennials
18:21 What Does Mental Health Mean?
20:00 What Gives Him Hope
22:22 Closing and Call to Action