What is your favourite memory of your time at Brighton College?
I must admit that I enjoyed the entire experience and felt very privileged to get the opportunity to attend such a wonderful school. But I think that my most memorable experiences would be connected with the team sports I took part in – rugby, cricket and hockey. We generally won more games than we lost and it was in the sporting arena that I made most of my best friends, many of whom I am still in close contact with today.
What takes up most of your time at the moment?
I am now 62 (ouch!) and would probably class myself as semi-retired. Having said that, I have kickstarted a new career as a mental health champion and having had three books published in this area during the last six years (based on lived experience of mental ill health), I am excited to see where this might take me going forward. On a personal front, I seem to be spending more and more time in the garden, an activity which I find both therapeutic and very rewarding. I am an introvert at heart and I enjoy spending hours in blissful silence and solitude, surrounded by the wonders of nature!
What about your life now would most surprise your Brighton College teachers?
Probably, all of the things that I wrote in answer to the previous question. Why has Mark written three books on the topic of mental ill health, based on lived experience? What’s the back story there? Why is Mark now a keen gardener? He was an active sportsman in his school days! I would certainly not have put Mark down as an introvert. He always seemed to be surrounded by people at school!
What about your life now would most surprise you as a Brighton College starter?
It’s always amazing how many twists and turns there are in life. Everything can change very quickly for better or for worse. But having said that, I find it hard to believe that we have lived in the same sleepy village in Buckinghamshire for almost thirty years. So everything changes and yet nothing changes! However, I do strongly believe that it always up to you to make things happen. If you don’t send that email, make that call, take that leap of faith, you will only limit the scope of what is possible. As Wayne Gretzky, the Canadian ice hockey player said: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”.
What excites you about the future?
We have three children: Will, 31, Emily, 29 and Jack 26. My wife and I are really excited to see where life takes them. Will works for KPMG in London, Em lives and works in Sydney, Australia and Jack is a qualified counsellor. They are all different to one another, but we are a close knit family, so it will be great to stay involved in their futures. I am also dead keen to find out where my mental health initiative goes and discover what my garden does this year!! Is that a little sad?
How has your time at Brighton College shaped your outlook on life?
In two ways. Firstly, it has reinforced the benefits of a great, holistic education, something we have tried to provide for our own children. Secondly, you realise that some of the people you meet during your school days will end up being the best friends you will ever have. Important not to take that for granted.
What advice would you give to current Brighton College pupils inspired by your own journey?
Probably my most important bit of advice would be to really understand yourself as quickly and as comprehensively as possible. What are your strengths and weaknesses? What are your values, your motivations, your likes and dislikes? When you are crystal clear on all of these, it is then important to use this knowledge as the foundation for making important life choices – career, friends, partners. Always strive to be a round peg in a round hole. Being a square peg in a round hole is painful!
What are the most challenging parts of your work?
Two challenges. Firstly, I like to innovate, try different things but with experimentation always comes the risk of failure. So, I think that holding my nerve when things are not going my way is certainly one challenge I have faced. And secondly, I have worked for myself for 25 years now, and although I have loved the independence of self-employment, money worries have never been too far away! The bills have had to be paid!
What are you most proud of?
Without doubt, I am most proud of the fact that my wife, Mel, and I seemed to have done a pretty decent job raising our three children. Parenting is not easy but I would say that we just about got it right. At the very least, we always laugh a lot as a family! On a personal level, I am also proud of the fact that I have had the courage to be very open about my own struggles with mental ill health. I think that it would not be too boastful to say that my openness has had a positive impact on many people who have struggled too. I also feel that getting three books published has been no mean feat.
Which is your favourite house and why?
Great question! I was very fortunate to be in Aldrich House, surrounded by many great friends who I still see today. I also enjoyed my relationship with Philip Robinson, the Housemaster, who was always very encouraging and supportive….and funny too!! But if I had been a boarder, I would like to have been in Bristol House. My friends who were in Bristol always seemed to have a lot of fun and this was partly down to the fact that the master in charge was the late Peter Perfect, somewhat of a maverick, who seemed to encourage the boys to be rebels!
What is the best thing about being an Old Brightonian?
Memories and friendships. This was brought home to me when I attended an Old Brightonian reunion recently in London and I met up with people who I had not seen for many years. We had so much to talk about! The memories came flooding back. It also brought home the fact that people don’t fundamentally change over time.
To find out more about Mark's work, including his latest book, How the Successful deal with the Stressful, visit his website: marksimmonds.co.uk.