Hi, Welcome.

ONE 2 ONE. I signed up to work with Simon Pollard. I was extremely anxious about going as I was going by myself and being a sufferer of depression sometimes that is the hardest thing to do, but I am ecstatic that I took that step and went along. What an amazing experience, I finally felt that after having my head in a fog for months that I could finally breathe again and see the beautiful countryside around me. Simon has an excellent way of explaining things and making you see things in such a simple way. I learnt so much. Everyone should stop and take time to stop and take in the surroundings and not be so materialistic. If everyone in the world did these sessions the world would be a much nicer place to live. For me it was like an epiphany. If I could bottle it I would be set for life. If I can remember what I learnt today it will help carry me through some of the dark times. Thank you Simon. .

THE VIEW OVER THE WALL EXPERIENCE "I gotta say both Richard Hiatt and I truly enjoyed our time yesterday with Simon Pollard. We were able to put aside our mobile phones and the busy business world we live in (and how ironic it happened on a day when Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp Died! 🤣) and spend some time in nature. Simon was very engaging and knowledgeable and helped us spot things we would normally have skipped out. I would highly recommend you give the walks a chance and experience them yourself! Even more so if you feel often highly stressed and disconnected from the world! Thank you again for your time, Simon Pollard 🙏"

THE VIEW OVER THE WALL EXPERIENCE. Simon is a professional nature lover with extensive knowledge of wild birds & tree-hugging [literally!]. He offers various walks of yesterday’s type with the objective of encouraging peace & calm in his clients. Yesterday we walked about 10,000 steps around Betteshanger, near where I was schooled, 11-13. It was a terrific pleasure to learn from Simon & absorb the atmosphere of what is known as the Garden of England. En route, i scoffed wild & cultivated food: baby broad-beans, strawberries & the best [free] cherries I’ve had in years! And then slept like a log!

THE SHEEPLE PRINCIPLE ‘Just read Simons book ‘The Sheeple Principle’, What a great read, simon uses his life experiences to create an entertaining and personal story that at some point in our lives we can all identify with, and most importantly ideas and strategies to help cope with the pressures of modern life. For me a must have book!’

SPEAKER PRESENTATION. Simon is an infectious person who you could just listen to for hours. Very knowledgeable and passionate about what he does. I was so much more aware of everything surrounding me.

THE SHEEPLE PRINCIPLE There needs to be more awareness of this book. Simon is such an advocate for contemplation, self-improvement and assessment, and mental health which makes The Sheeple Principle all the more compelling and interesting. It is thought-provoking and will quite possibly make you reassess yourself and others around you. An absolute must read.

THE VIEW OVER THE WALL We are dog walkers and regularly walk in the Kentish Countryside, but we usually look with out seeing, today has totally changed our perception. This was energising and reinvigorating, better than a weeks holiday!

ONE 2 ONE. 'Thank you Simon, the world is a better place now. I have had such a good time. I'm in a much better head space now. I enjoyed the interaction with others whilst learning about the outside world. In fact I’ve even found the head space to decide how I’m going to plan my retirement.'

ONE 2 ONE An amazing experience to ground you and consider your impact on the earth, but more importantly, it’s impact on you and the lessons you can learn from it!

SPEAKER PRESENTATION Simon came and gave a talk to my Rotary Club about mental health. It was an enthralling talk largely about his own life and his perceived shortcomings and how he overcame them. We largely saw our own lives reflected in what he had to say. He had a good balance of humour and self depreciation to make a serious subject entertaining. Thank you Simon.

My Review of “The Sheeple Principle” by Simon Pollard. Some books entertain you for a few hours. Some books leave you quietly reflecting long after you’ve turned the final page. “The Sheeple Principle” was one of those books for me. 📚. Simon Pollard writes with warmth, honesty, and the kind of perspective that can only come from lived experience. There’s a calmness to the way he shares his thoughts, almost like sitting down with someone who understands the pressures of life and wants to help you find your footing again. 👣. What stayed with me most was the reminder to slow down. To breathe properly. To walk in nature. To step away from the constant noise of modern life long enough to reconnect with yourself again. Such simple ideas, yet somehow incredibly powerful when they’re forgotten for too long. 🌿. Throughout the book there are moments of real food for thought, stories that hit home, reflections that linger in your mind, and reminders that healing often begins with the smallest daily choices. 🧘🏻‍♀️. As a family man, Simon’s words carry warmth and authenticity, and there’s an underlying feeling throughout the book that says: “If I found a way through this… maybe you can too.” 🕊️. The book speaks openly about anxiety, overthinking, pressure, and emotional exhaustion, whilst still managing to leave you feeling hopeful. It creates space to pause, reflect, breathe, and look at life a little differently. 🙏. At its heart, “The Sheeple Principle” is about learning to be kinder to yourself in a world that constantly demands more from you. And perhaps my favourite takeaway from the entire book was this: Anxiety, fuck off!!! A thoughtful, uplifting, and comforting read that I’d happily recommend to anyone feeling overwhelmed, mentally exhausted, lost, or simply in need of a reminder that peace, healing, and happiness are still possible.

I’ve attended two of Simon’s presentations, and each one has been incredibly impactful. His work to raise awareness about mental health and the tragic reality of suicide is delivered with honesty, empathy, and genuine purpose. Simon is a thoughtful and compelling speaker who has the rare ability to bring a room to complete silence, encouraging people to reflect on what truly matters. His genuine care for others is unmistakable, and his commitment to helping people is evident in every presentation. I have absolute respect for Simon and the difference he is making in raising awareness and inspiring meaningful conversations.

We were very fortunate to see Simon Pollard deliver a powerful public speaking session. The topics covered were personal, honest, thought-proviking and perspective-shifting. Awereness, awareness, awareness. Evidently something we could all do with a little more of! You helped alot of people in that room. Thank you Simon.

From bookshelf to syllabus! The ‘sheeple principle’ goes to university. Here's what Dr Marie Swettenham had to say as to why... "Why is that book on a university reading list? It’s not a core theoretical text!” It's a question I’m always ready to answer because it matters! One of the books I've recently added to the reading list for one of my modules next semester is called “The Sheeple Principle: Living with Anxiety in the Modern World” by Simon Pollard , This is a book that explores anxiety, modern living, social pressures and the consequences of feeling trapped by expectations and circumstances. Some might ask why a book based largely on lived experience sits alongside peer-reviewed research, policy documents and public health theory. Well firstly lived experience is my research focus and I know how very important this is! Also, universities and those of us in them, have a responsibility to prepare students for the world they will work in, not just the assessments they will complete. As a public health lecturer, I spend considerable time teaching concepts such as the social determinants of health, mental wellbeing, health inequalities, resilience and behaviour change. These theories are essential. But theory alone does not help students understand how these issues are actually experienced by individuals navigating everyday life. Simons reflections on anxiety, financial pressures, societal expectations and coping mechanisms provide a perspective that many people working in health, social care and community settings will recognise immediately. The value of a book like this is not that it replaces academic evidence, but that it gives students an opportunity to critically engage with lived experience, compare personal narratives with established evidence, and consider where individual stories align with, challenge or enrich public health theory. When our students graduate, they won't spend their careers speaking only to academics. They'll work with patients, service users, communities, charities, local authorities, employers and policymakers. They need to be able to understand people's stories, interpret evidence critically and apply both in real-world settings. For me, higher education is and always should be more than awarding a degree. It should be about developing reflective practitioners, critical thinkers and compassionate professionals who are equipped for the realities of the workforce. Sometimes that means reading a journal article. Sometimes it means reading someone's lived experience. The most powerful learning often happens when we are challenged to connect the two. My challenge to fellow academics, students and professionals: the next time you pick up a book, don't ask "Is this academic enough? Instead, ask what can this teach me that a textbook can't? That is where the magic happens!