Full Festival Programme
9.30am
Doors open
10.00am
Hello and Welcome
10.15am
In this insightful Q and A Panel, we will explore the different ways in which you can build mental flexibility and resilience for when times get tough. Our experts will share with you their own personal coping mechanisms so you can create your own mental health toolkit. PLUS you will have the change to ask them any questions that you have.
11.00am
In this session, neuroscientist Nicole Vignola will explain why we're addicted to our phones and how to break free. She will also teach you:
How to break your dirty phone habits
How to get real dopamine back in your life
Rewire your brain for healthier neurotransmitters
Feel happy again
11.30am
Refreshment Break
12.00pm
Join us for a power hour with Dr Julie Smith who will be sharing her wisdom on how we can be mentally strong. This Q and A session will be full of practical tips that you can implement straight away to feel better. PLUS you will have the unique opportunity to ask Dr Julie any personal questions you may have.
12.45pm
Mini Break 15 mins
1.00pm
Join Anna Mathur, psychotherapist, bestselling author and podcast host, for an inspiring 30-minute talk designed to transform the way you connect with others. This isn’t just about improving your relationships—it’s a roadmap to feeling more connected, understood, and supported, whether it’s with your partner, family, or friends. In this session, you’ll discover 5 practical and powerful strategies to nurture the relationships that mean the most, including how to:
Build trust and intimacy through vulnerability.
Take conversations beyond small talk for deeper connections.
Set boundaries that protect your energy and strengthen your relationships.
Approach tough conversations with confidence and compassion.
Focus on the relationships that truly matter to your well-being.
1.30pm
Have you experienced trauma in your life? Are you struggling to deal with it on a daily basis? In this educational session Josh will walk us through how we can deal with past traumas and re write the narrative with unique ways. This session will be full of insights on how to break free from your past and move towards more positive and happier thought patterns.
2.00pm
Lunch Break
2.45pm
In this exciting, 30 minute session, established author Ruby Dhal will co-host with journaling experts The Inspired Stories to introduce you to journaling. If you’re new to journaling and don’t know where to start our experts will guide you through best practices, helpful prompts and how to set daily reminders and stick to them! You also learn why journaling is so powerful for mental health.
3.15pm
This 30-minute session led by no other than the Breathwork master himself Sturt Sandeman will uplift your mood and ensure you have a better day. Breathwork is a powerful tool to reduce stress, ease anxiety and prevent burnout. Come and learn how to do it well and implement it into your daily routine.
3.45pm
Thank Yous and Goodbye
4.30pm
Close
Your Host for the Festival...
Keynote Speakers
Drum roll please for our fantastic keynote speakers!
See below for details of the top quality speakers who will present at 'Go Mental' 2025...
Dr Julie is a clinical psychologist, author and content creator. She has devoted her career to learning everything possible about adult mental health and the intricacies of the human mind.
For over a decade, she has been using this knowledge to help people through the worst times in their lives and has had the privilege of working with clients from all walks of life, each at different stages of their personal growth, from school leavers, new parents, students to business leaders, entrepreneurs, military personnel, professional athletes and celebrities.
It is her mission to help as many people as she can to thrive. Making mental health education available for free online means that even those who cannot access therapy can get off to the best start in their recovery journey.
Her first book ‘Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?’, has sold over 1 million copies, is available in 49 territories around the globe, and has spent well over 100 weeks in the Sunday Times Bestseller list, claiming the top non-fiction book of 2022. Her latest book, ‘Open When…’ went straight to number one in January 2025 and is a vital handbook for those who find themselves facing tough times.
Psychotherapist | Corporate Speaker | Podcast Host | 4x Sunday Times Bestselling Author
Anna Mathur is a psychotherapist dedicated to making emotional wellbeing accessible to individuals and organisations. As the host of the acclaimed podcast The Therapy Edit (3M+ downloads), Anna shares practical insights through solo episodes and conversations with renowned guests like Fearne Cotton and Gi Fletcher.
A sought-after corporate speaker, Anna delivers workshops and keynotes for global brands including Google, Spotify, and Apple, focusing on topics like stress, imposter syndrome, and work-life balance. Her media appearances on ITV’s This Morning and contributions to publications such as Grazia and The Telegraph further amplify her mission to take therapy beyond the clinical space.
With 225k+ Instagram followers and four Sunday Times bestselling books—Mind Over Mother, Know Your Worth, The Little Book of New Mum Feelings, and The Uncomfortable Truth—Anna empowers people to build resilience, embrace discomfort, and thrive in life and work.
Nicole Vignola is more than a neuroscientist; she's an established keynote speaker and author. Reaching millions through her well-established platform, Nicole offers practical tools and scientifically proven methods to enhance mental well-being.
Recognised as "Instagram's favourite brain expert" by Women’s Health Magazine, it’s her mission to demystify neuroscience, making it accessible and impactful for everyone.
Her commitment to empowering people with an understanding of how their brains work has made her a pioneering force in redefining wellness. Nicole's debut book, "Rewire," offers a transformative neuro-toolkit. With practical strategies to optimise your life, rewire your brain and break free from limiting habits and behaviours. “Rewire” is your guide toward personal growth and fulfilment.
Dr. Monika Sharma is a UK-based NHS General Practitioner (GP) and certified Level 3 Personal Trainer with a passion for holistic health and well-being. With a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (BMBS), and a Bachelor of Science (BSc), Dr. Monika is a trusted voice in healthcare, blending her medical expertise with her dedication to fitness and lifestyle transformation.
Ruby Dhal is a British-Afghan Sikh writer, poet, TEDx speaker, and bestselling author of six books on self-love, healing, and personal growth. She moved to the UK at the age of three and, within a year, lost her mother—a loss that shaped her lifelong journey of healing and self-discovery. Through her writing, Ruby shares wisdom on love, loss, and resilience, helping millions navigate their own paths.
With a social media following of nearly 1 million and millions of weekly impressions, her words have resonated with readers worldwide. Since launching her platform in 2016, she has been featured in Harper’s Bazaar India’s Writer Hotlist, NY Weekly, Times of India, Yahoo, Verve Magazine, and more. She has contributed to Thought Catalog, The Tempest, and Indian Women Blog, and has appeared on BBC Asian Network, BBC Radio London, and multiple podcasts.
Ruby is currently working on her debut fiction novel and aspires to write stories that centre POC characters, bringing diverse narratives to the forefront.
Josh Connolly, an Amazon bestselling author, has taken the mental health world by storm with his groundbreaking book, "It’s Them, Not You: How to Break Free from Toxic Parents and Reclaim Your Story." This transformative guide provides readers with essential tools and guided breathwork sessions to overcome toxic family dynamics and heal from past trauma.
Renowned as one of the UK's top mental health advocates, Josh connects with nearly half a million followers, delivering powerful insights and strategies. His workshops, ranging from local schools to some of the biggest brands in the world, empower individuals to connect deeply with their emotions and intuition.
As an ambassador for Nacoa, Josh also passionately supports those affected by parental alcohol issues, driving significant advancements in mental health awareness and support.
Tom Dickinson, Founder of Tom’s Talks, is a motivational mental health speaker, mindset coach and advocate dedicated to breaking the stigma around mental health and inspiring lasting change. After losing his brother to suicide, Tom made it his mission to raise awareness, encourage open conversations and equip people with the tools to build resilience and a strong mindset.
For over six years, he has delivered powerful talks and workshops in schools, businesses and events nationwide, helping individuals navigate challenges, develop positive habits and take control of their mental well-being. Through his engaging and relatable approach, Tom empowers audiences to recognise that it’s okay to not be okay and that no matter how tough life gets, there is always a way forward.
His mission is clear: to ensure no one feels alone in their struggles, and to provide the tools and strategies needed to thrive.
Stuart Sandeman is a globally recognised breathing expert and performance coach. He is the Sunday Times best-selling author of Breathe In Breathe Out, host of BBC Radio 1’s Decompression Session, and the founder of Breathpod, where he helps individuals and groups reach their full potential through the power of breathwork and music.
As a black belt in judo, former financier, DJ, and music producer, Stuart brings a multifaceted approach, blending personal experience with ancient wisdom and modern science. Stuart discovered breathwork after losing his girlfriend to cancer at the age of 31. Amazed by it’s healing potential, he trained as a respiratory coach, studying eastern methodologies and western science. His distinctive approach, rooted in resilience, personal loss and a practical outlook, is designed to disrupt negative thought patterns, beliefs, and habits so people can live more fulfilling lives.
Since 2017, Stuart has helped transform the lives of thousands, partnering with global brands such as Nike, Google and PWC, and has worked with Olympic athletes, UFC fighters and award-winning artists. His impact has been featured in numerous major publications, including The Times, The Evening Standard, and The Guardian.
Maya Raichoora is one of the UK’s leading mental fitness and visualisation experts. She is an award-winning entrepreneur, founder and CEO of Remap Mental Fitness. Day to day she works with global brands such as Nike, Gymshark, Asics, Amex and Lego.
She has a decade of experience mastering the technique of visualisation and is on a mission to share it with others. As a two times TEDx speaker and public figure, her story and expertise has the power to inspire, empower and educate the masses. She lives in London.
