Trigger warning: brief talk of suicide.From a medical discharge from the army to IVF struggles, debt, and sleepless 4am walks, Dave Carter’s path has been anything but linear.Today he leads Men Walking & Talking in Sandbach, Cheshire - a simple weekly walk that’s become a lifeline for men facing grief, burnout, addiction, relationship breakdowns and suicidal thoughts.In this episode, Dave sits down with Ben to share how a cold, rainy first meet-up of 13 strangers turned into a supportive community - and why movement, nature and no-pressure conversation help men open up. Expect real stories, practical tools (from tiny wins to phone-free walks), and a blueprint for starting a group in your own town.🎧 Listen as we discuss… (00:00) – Why Dave started Men Walking & Talking(01:22) – Army dreams, injury, IVF and the breaking point(05:05) – The first walk: 13 men, rain, nerves… and relief(07:48) – What a walk looks like (no phones, fresh air, confidentiality)(10:31) – “I’m struggling” vs actually unpacking it(13:06) – Why walking works: movement lowers the pressure to speak(16:02) – Common themes: grief, debt, addiction, custody, loneliness(19:44) – From listener to leader: the member who became a walk lead(23:15) – Tools that help: tiny wins, positive self-talk, limit negative feeds(27:28) – Meditation, journaling and the 10-minute rule(31:09) – Partners & communication: learning to pause before reacting(35:12) – Schools, social skills and teaching mental fitness early(38:30) – Expansion plans across Cheshire & the North West(41:22) – How to join a local group — or start one from scratch(44:05) – If you’re in crisis: who to call and what to do now(46:18) – What “graft” means in mental health: show up, keep walkingKEY TAKEAWAYSWalking lowers the barrier: movement + nature make honest talk easier.Admission isn’t action: “I’m struggling” must be followed by simple, repeatable steps.Small wins compound: 10 minutes of journaling, a phone-free walk, one honest message to a friend.Peer support works: let men find answers together — it builds ownership and resilience.Reaching out is strength: help exists; you still have to take the first step.GUESTDave Carter - Walk leader and community builder behind Men Walking & Talking, Sandbach, helping men connect through weekly walks and real conversation.Follow Dave on ⁠Instagram⁠Follow Men Walking and Talking on ⁠Instagram

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