Mike Morrison: ‘I was waiting for a miracle or death’ Lessons from managing clinical depression while building a business(S1, Ep4)

We’re far more comfortable talking about mental health than we used to be - which is a good thing. But the word ‘depression’ is now often used to describe feeling sad or ‘down’ - which is not the same as clinical depression. 

In this interview, you’ll hear from entrepreneur Mike Morrison on how he’s built a successful business whilst managing clinical depression - including a depressive episode that lasted almost two years and left him unable to work or even get out of bed at times. 

We cover many topics in our discussion including how being ‘working class’ (and how it can impact your aspirations and attitudes to money), being in a job that sucks the life out of you along with relationship breakdowns (business and romantic). *** TW ***  We also, briefly, talk about suicide.  

Mike is a leading authority on building, growing and scaling online membership communities. 

Key Moments

00:10:47 Life at university - expectations vs. reality for Mike and his peers

00:15:41 How a working-class upbringing shaped Mike's money habits and perception

00:29:54 Dropping out of uni, first job experiences in sales and getting promoted

00:38:56 Mike’s overdose at the age 15 - and the impact on his mental health 

00:44:35 Why Mike thought he didn’t need therapy for depression

00:48:59 How Mike manages anxiety and depression

00:54:38 How gaming helped Mike emerge from a two-year depressive episode 

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