True healing starts the day you feel understood. When you are real, there are no demons to hide from.
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.
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 led 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. 2 years ago 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.
On the 30th May 2017, Mitch 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 called Heart On My Sleeve where people all around the world began drawing and tattooing hearts on their arm and sharing their story. Heart On My Sleeve is now one of the fastest growing mental health organizations in Australia. In partnership with KPMG, the business has since developed market leading social campaigns, education platforms & peer support networks.
Current Work:
Mitch now devotes himself fulltime to helping solve the single biggest issue facing his generation - mental health. 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 was appointed a board of director position at SuperFriend - the mental health body of Australia’s Superannuation Industry, and has presented at the 19th Annual International Psychology Conference.
He has interviewed the likes of Miss Universe Australia, Osher Günsberg & Ruby Wax. He has featured across Sky News, Channel 10’s The Project, and recognized by GQ Magazine as a Man of Influence Shaping Society as part of their 2019 Gentleman's Ball Issue. Mitch has spoken at/is working with - some of the most recognized companies in the country including Google, Spotify, Dropbox, Woolworths, Salesforce, Suncorp, Salesforce, and more.
Mitch has a Masters of Psychology degree from Columbia University in New York and a Bachelor of 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
Heart on My Sleeve: It's Time to Heal
Mitch speaks from the heart on a raw and vulnerable topic. This isn’t your everyday mental health keynote. His talk is equal parts inspiring and confronting. He intentionally goes deep into a sensitive area, questioning the everyday norms and suggestions of how we move forward - posing a comprehensive yet somewhat disruptive approach to solving this global epidemic. Mitch explores the darkest yet most insightful moments of his own mental health journey and its impact on his personal and professional life. He shares a reflection on the current systematic and social challenges we face in solving this health epidemic, and paints and clear & passionate vision of how we can take a step forward to help ourselves and those we love. We hope this session provides you with a deep insight and understanding of mental ill health in a non-traditional format.Heart on My Sleeve: It's Time to Heal
He is also fully equipped to speak on a broad range of topics including: the impact of technology & social media on our perception of reality (“how to use these powerful weapons for good not evil”), the journey of a social entrepreneur (“how to create sustainable business ventures”), how to follow your calling & do what you love (“taking the jump between where you are now and where you want to be”), the mindset of a millennial in the workplace (“what are future young leaders searching for”).
He is completely willing to work with clients to create the most appropriate, engaging and customised talk to suit the needs of the organisation and the goals they are trying to achieve with cultural change and wellbeing initiatives to complement existing programs & values.
Video
Mitch Wallis - Mental Health Keynote Trailer
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
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
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
