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Episode 85 - gavin patterson
85. When the Badge Became a Burden: A Police Officer's Journey from Bullying to Healing with Gavin Patterson
Episodes Release: Monday 1st & 3rd December 2025
When Gavin Patterson joined the police force, he thought he'd found his calling—a career dedicated to protecting others, serving his community, and making a real difference. But what he didn't expect was that the greatest threat to his wellbeing wouldn't come from the dangers of the job itself. It would come from within the very organisation he'd sworn to serve.
Gavin's story is one of profound courage, not just in facing the challenges of policing, but in confronting the toxic workplace culture that nearly destroyed him. As a police officer, he witnessed trauma, navigated high-pressure situations, and dealt with the complexities of human nature at its most vulnerable. Yet it was the bullying and toxic environment within his own ranks that pushed him to his breaking point. The mental health struggles that followed weren't a sign of weakness—they were the natural consequence of a system that failed to protect one of its own.
In this two-part conversation on Leading Our Own Way, Gavin takes us inside his darkest moments with unflinching honesty. He shares what it's like when your identity becomes intertwined with your badge, and what happens when that badge becomes the source of your deepest wounds. He opens up about the isolation, the shame, and the overwhelming sense of being broken by the very institution meant to uphold justice and integrity. But more importantly, Gavin reveals how he found his way back.
Understanding became Gavin's lifeline. By diving into the science behind mental health, exploring how trauma affects the brain, and discovering the unexpected role that nutrition plays in mental wellbeing, Gavin began to piece together a path toward healing. He learned that recovery isn't linear, that vulnerability isn't weakness, and that authentic leadership requires the courage to admit when you're struggling. These insights didn't just save his life—they transformed it.
Today, Gavin uses his experience to mentor others facing similar battles. He understands that sharing your story isn't just cathartic for you—it can be life-saving for someone else. His journey from the depths of workplace trauma to becoming an advocate for mental health and authentic leadership demonstrates the transformative power of resilience and connection. He knows firsthand that our darkest chapters don't have to define us, but they can drive us to help others find their way through the darkness.
Throughout these episodes, Gavin discusses the critical importance of open conversations about mental health, especially in high-pressure professions where vulnerability is often seen as liability. He explores how childhood experiences shape our adult responses to trauma, why adapting to change is essential for survival, and how understanding yourself becomes the foundation for understanding others. His practical advice comes from lived experience, not theory, making his insights both accessible and deeply impactful.
Gavin Patterson's journey is a testament to the human spirit's capacity for healing and growth. It's a reminder that when everything falls apart, we have the power to rebuild—not just who we were, but who we're meant to become. His story proves that our greatest wounds can become our most powerful purpose, and that sometimes the bravest thing we can do is simply refuse to give up.
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