Empowering Mental Wellbeing , Restoring Hope and Building Resillience

Understanding mental health is crucial in today's fast-paced world.

John Bell is an award-winning mental health advocate and keynote speaker who transforms personal tragedy into a message of strength and purpose.
His raw and authentic story moves audiences to reflect, connect, and take action — promoting wellbeing, empathy, and the importance of talking about mental health.

John Bell’s story began with unimaginable personal loss.

In 2020, John’s world changed forever when he lost his 15-year-old son, Jake. The heartbreak of that moment reshaped his outlook on life and gave him a renewed sense of purpose — to dedicate himself to suicide prevention, mental health awareness, and the promotion of hope and self-belief.

Overwhelmed by grief and guilt, John’s journey back from darkness became one of courage, discipline, and resilience. Through his experience, he has channelled his pain into purpose — inspiring others to keep going, to find strength through struggle, and to believe that even in the darkest moments, hope can still be found.

John Bell

John Bell’s story began with unimaginable personal loss.

In 2020, John’s world changed forever when he lost his 15-year-old son, Jake. The heartbreak of that moment reshaped his outlook on life and gave him a renewed sense of purpose — to dedicate himself to suicide prevention, mental health awareness, and the promotion of hope and self-belief.

Overwhelmed by grief and guilt, John’s journey back from darkness became one of courage, discipline, and resilience. Through his experience, he has channelled his pain into purpose — inspiring others to keep going, to find strength through struggle, and to believe that even in the darkest moments, hope can still be found.

In 2023, John founded Walking4Hope, a registered charity created to provide families and young people with support through recreational and outdoor activities designed to bolster mental wellbeing. The charity offers organised walks, talking groups, and signposting to further help and resources — using nature and community as powerful tools for healing.

As part of the charity’s fundraising and awareness campaigns, John takes on extreme walking challenges dressed as his son’s favourite superhero, Deadpool, while carrying a specially modified bathtub — a powerful symbol of the invisible weight carried by those struggling with mental health.

In April 2024, John completed one of his most remarkable challenges yet — walking from Mansfield to Wrexham over seven days, covering more than 140 miles with the bathtub in tow. His efforts caught the attention of Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds (a.k.a. Deadpool) and Rob McElhenney, who personally reached out to support John’s journey and invited him to London for an interview to help raise awareness for his cause.

That same year, John’s remarkable dedication was recognised nationally when he was honoured with the prestigious Points of Light Award, celebrating his outstanding contribution to mental health awareness and charitable work.

In 2025, John continued to inspire others, proudly serving as one of the Baton of Hope bearers during its tour of Great Britain — a national movement promoting suicide prevention — and later that year, he was named a regional winner in the Pride of Britain Awards.

Today, John remains committed to spreading a message of resilience, compassion, and hope — proving that even in the aftermath of tragedy, one person’s determination can spark a movement that changes lives

Key Note and Speaking

Inspirational Keynote Talks – powerful sessions sharing John’s personal journey from grief to grit, resilience through adversity, and transforming pain into purpose

Mental Health & Wellbeing Talks – raising awareness, breaking stigma, and promoting open conversations in workplaces, schools, and community settings.
Resilience & Mindset Workshops – interactive sessions helping individuals and teams build mental toughness, adaptability, and self-belief.
Motivational After-Dinner Speaking – engaging and emotionally charged talks perfect for charity dinners, corporate events, and conferences.
School & Youth Engagement Talks – encouraging young people to talk about emotions, seek help, and build self-esteem and resilience.

Corporate & Organisational Services

Workplace Wellbeing Seminars – practical sessions tailored to improve staff wellbeing, morale, and mental health awareness.
Leadership & Team Resilience Training – helping business leaders and teams thrive under pressure through empathy, communication, and mindset tools.
Charity & Community Event Hosting – emcee or host for fundraising and awareness events with lived-experience credibility.
Tailored Corporate Keynotes – customised talks aligned with your organisation’s culture, values, or campaign themes (e.g. Mental Health Awareness Week)

Media & Public Engagement

Podcast & Media Guest Appearances – featured guest sharing insights on resilience, grief, and hope (as seen in “Grief to Grit” and Walking4Hope).
Panel Discussions & Q&A Sessions – authentic contributions to mental health, wellbeing, and community panels.
Campaign Ambassador Roles – representing causes and mental health initiatives that align with John’s mission.

Special Experiences

Walking for Wellbeing Sessions – guided outdoor sessions combining movement, mindfulness, and open conversation.
“From Grief to Grit” Seminars – signature programme linking personal healing with purpose and leadership.
Motivational Challenges & Fundraising Events – public appearances linked to John’s Walking4Hope charity challenges (e.g., “The Bathtub Walk”).

John Bell - Grief To Grit
The Podcast
Real stories. Raw emotion. Remarkable resilience.

Grief to Grit: The Podcast explores how ordinary people overcome extraordinary challenges. From grief and loss to growth and purpose and grit and determination to achieve, every episode shares powerful conversations that prove no matter how dark and low life gets, there is always light ahead

Starting Wednesday 6th January 2026
6pm GMT

Gallery

Charity

We Proudly Support Walking4Hope & PAPYRUS

At Grief to Grit, we believe that powerful change happens when compassion, community, and action come together. Our work is rooted in lived experience, resilience, and the commitment to help others find strength through their darkest moments. That mission is shared by two incredible charities we are deeply proud to support: Walking4Hope and PAPYRUS – Prevention of Young Suicide.

Walking4Hope

Founded in 2023 by John Bell after the tragic loss of his son Jake, Walking4Hope is a mental-health charity dedicated to supporting families and young people through the healing power of nature, movement, and community.

Through organised group walks, talking circles, outdoor activities, and signposting to wider support, Walking4Hope offers a safe space for people to reconnect, rebuild confidence, and experience the proven benefits of being outdoors.

The charity is also known for its powerful awareness-raising challenges. John takes on extreme long-distance walks dressed as Jake’s favourite superhero — Deadpool — while carrying a specially modified bathtub. This unique symbol represents the hidden weight carried by those struggling with mental health, turning every mile into a message of hope, resilience, and the importance of speaking out.

Walking4Hope is a community built on compassion, connection, and the belief that nobody should walk their mental-health journey alone.

PAPYRUS – Prevention of Young Suicide

PAPYRUS is the UK’s leading charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide — a vital mission with life-saving impact. Suicide remains the biggest killer of people under 35 in the UK, and PAPYRUS works tirelessly to change that.

The charity provides:

HOPELINE247, a free, confidential helpline for young people struggling with suicidal thoughts and for anyone worried about a young person’s safety.
Training & education for schools, workplaces, and communities, equipping people with the skills to recognise warning signs and offer safe, supportive intervention.
Campaigning & awareness, challenging stigma, empowering voices, and pushing for better mental-health support nationally.

PAPYRUS stands at the forefront of suicide prevention in the UK, offering hope, guidance, and life-saving resources every single day.

Why We Support Them

Grief to Grit is built on real lived experience — pain, loss, rebuilding, and turning adversity into purpose. Both Walking4Hope and PAPYRUS embody these values and provide crucial help to those who need it most.

Our support reflects our commitment to:

Raising awareness
Encouraging open conversations
Promoting resilience and recovery
Guiding young people and families to life-saving support
Building a future where fewer families suffer the heartbreak of suicide