Friends along the way

Lynne Dixon talks to life coach and motivational speaker Saima Majid

Derby-born life coach and motivational speaker Saima Majid welcomed with open arms the move by the young Royals a couple of years ago to launch their Heads Together campaign to raise awareness of mental health issues.

For it is a cause close to her own heart. In fact Saima, 39, has launched a personal campaign to take the stigma out of mental health problems. But her mission doesn’t stop there.

‘For me, it’s not just about removing the stigma, it’s about getting through these problems and coming out the other side a stronger, more fulfilled, more joyful person. A person who can create for him or herself a life of meaning and purpose.’

These are not just words. Saima believes in positive action, too. And to this end, she has created her very own personal project, The Trailblazers’ Journey. ‘This is about bringing people of all cultures and backgrounds together to chat openly about any mental health issues they may have and realise they are not battling with it on their own. There are other people out there feeling pretty much the same way as they do.’

Although today she’s full of vibrancy and positive energy, Saima has herself battled with anxiety, depression and self doubt in the past.

‘In my case it was caused by stress at work, which led to burnout. I was working in fashion design in London and got to the point of breakdown due to the huge pressures and negative energy of one particular workplace. I didn’t know how to deal with a toxic situation. It was only by having cognitive behavioural therapy, reading, talking, meditating and reevaluating my life that I got through it and learned to have faith in myself, my decisions and my choices.’