Clive Branson

Clive Branson is a powerful mental health speaker who feels compelled to share his experiences and actively demonstrate that we do have the ability to overcome adversity. Firstly, by recognising that our mental health and wellbeing has been compromised, and secondly, accepting that. He shares his story with audiences to prove that, rather than protecting and hiding our vulnerabilities, we should surrender to them. With honesty and good humour, Clive shows how we can liberate ourselves and move forward, one step at a time.

Clive Branson is happily married to his incredible wife Victoria and has four sons and three grandchildren. After leaving school, he worked for the Royal Air Force and the Ministry of Defence.

After leaving the forces industry, Clive’s next venture was to develop a successful health and safety consultancy. Unfortunately, during this time, his father John was suffering from Parkinson’s Disease and dementia. A very proud man, his loved ones had to watch him painfully deteriorate until his passing at the start of 2017. On reflection, the grief and stress had penetrated Clive’s defences and began to manifest through his mood and behaviour. By the end of the year, he had been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

The diagnosis did not fully resonate with him straight away, but slowly, severe anxiety took control of his body and his mind. He became terrified of the outside world and eventually convinced himself that his entire family would be better off without him. It was at this point he was admitted to two different psychiatric hospitals where he spent a total of ten weeks. Suicide is, of course, an uncomfortable topic to discuss, but a very real and powerful state of mind when the devil is knocking on your door.

Thankfully, Clive’s wife is a force of nature, and along with their sons and the wider family, he was showered with love, support and encouragement, and it was this support that saved him.

However, Clive had lost his career, his income, confidence and identity, but things weren’t finished there. He would then go on to be diagnosed with stage two prostate cancer. The Motor Neurone Disease ruled out surgery, so he now has to have frequent blood tests and biopsies.

Not long after, his father-in-law – who he was very close to – passed away in 2019, followed by his own mother in 2021 due to COVID-19 complications.

Most would agree that the last few years have been rather eventful for Clive and his family, and you would forgive him for struggling. But his philosophy is now a simple one. He will not allow the daily challenges to define him. He has learned how to live life on life’s terms and relishes his roles as a loving and devoted, husband, father, grandfather and friend.