Rumi Speaks

There's an elephant in the room. Let's talk about it.

In the business world, mental health has for too long been a taboo subject. We all want to project an image of success, pretending we have it all together, and no one wants to admit that they're struggling. But so many of us are. I want to help change that, and it starts with a good conversation.

Book A Conversation With Rumi

Rumi Shivaz has 30 years experience as a successful businessman and entrepreneur, and over 50 years experience as a human being, but none of that could prepare him for a battle with clinical depression.

With the help of medical professionals and supportive friends and family, Rumi found a way through and now shares his journey with management teams and staff throughout New Zealand to help start the conversation we all need to have around mental health.

Depression doesn’t discriminate. It’s situational. It can happen to the best of us.

Testimonials

What has impressed me about him is the fact that he has been prepared to continue on his journey, to be open to what others can provide him and willing to put the work in to make a difference.

Dr Paul Duignan – Clinical Psychologist

So proud of you Rumi, thank you for sharing and giving all of us an understanding of this debilitating illness.

Cathy Davys

Rumi, as a gifted communicator, is positioned to share his story – not to say ‘This is what you must do’ – but rather to share his experiences

Kevin Plant – Master of Ceremonies and Marriage Celebrant

I cannot think of a person better empowered to share his messages of how to survive and thrive in this ever challenging world. Listen up, it might just save your life.

James Mowat – Engagement Lead, Land Information New Zealand

…in true “Rumi Fashion” he eventually began questioning “why is this happening to me, what shall I do, how can I get through this?”

Dan Reeves – Portfolio Lead, ANZ Bank

With his masterful wisdom and intuition, let Rumi help you realise the skills you need to become the best version of yourself and find the inner purpose you’ve always been searching for.

Tim Grgec – poet, essayist, and advisor at Ministry of Education

Rumi has a big heart and through his life lessons and good intentions wishes to help others

Sean Fletcher – Project Manager, Transpower

Anxiety is an obsession with the future. Depression is an obsession with the past.

As an entrepreneur, my mind has always been in the future, worrying about various aspects of running a business, such as cash flow, staff resources, etc. Therefore, I spoke openly about having a "black belt in anxiety", but I was in no way qualified to talk about depression. As far as I was concerned, yesterday was gone; the only reason to think about yesterday was to reflect on beautiful memories.

In February 2021, when my psychiatrist diagnosed me as clinically depressed, my heart sank with fear. Everybody I knew who had received this diagnosis had taken years to get to the other side.

The next few months were hell on earth. It was as if my brain had flipped 180 degrees: usually an eternal optimist, I became a hopeless pessimist; always a big fan of people doing well, instead I felt envious of my friends' success. I went from going to the gym 3 times a week to sleeping 20 hours a day on my couch. I longed for miserable weather so I wouldn't feel guilty for sleeping all day.

This was extremely hard on my wife. I had become the total opposite of the person she married. The most difficult thing for her and my family was not knowing how long this hell would last. Now I can understand why relationships break down as it is extremely difficult to live with someone with depression.

My biggest fear was not being able to work again. I had lost my work ethic and, after 33 years of being in NZ, I feared losing everything I had worked so hard for. The fear and anxiety crippled me so much so that I would shake uncontrollably.

But the story doesn't end there. Through a combination of excellent, professional medical help, the support of loving family and friends, and the right balance of healthy living and medication, I was able to emerge again.

I’m ever so grateful to my family, close friends and my medical team who never gave up on me and helped me recover to the point that I can speak about the horrific experience.

Most people who have suffered from a severe mental health condition don’t want to speak out publicly, often because it may seriously affect your employment opportunities. Some employers can be reluctant to hire someone with mental health issues, which I can understand being a business owner myself.

While the experience was horrific, I learned a lot and want to share that experience with as many people as possible. While depression may feel permanent at the time, most sufferers will eventually get out of it and discover meaning, purpose and fulfillment - a new chapter in life.

I hated the thought of taking medication. I was convinced that positive psychology - meditation, journaling, exercise - could get me out of hell. Now I know how wrong I was.

Rumi Speaks on Mental Health

Rumi Shivaz offers tight, focused sessions on mental health that are designed to start the conversation on this sensitive subject. From experience, we have found the optimal structure to be an 18-minute talk (similar to a TED talk) followed by a 20-30 minute Q&A session.

Benefits include:

Providing hope to anyone in the room suffering with mental health challenges.
Educating people on effective ways they can help friends, family and colleagues who are struggling with depression.
Starting the conversation within your workplace around mental health.

Credentials:

Rumi is an experienced speaker and long time member of the Capital Breakfast Toastmasters (CBT) Club. His achievements include:

Toastmasters - Competent communicator certification 2016.
President - Capital Breakfast Toastmasters (CBT) Club 2017.
Winner - International Speaking contest CBT - 2018 & 2019.
Winner - Humorous Speech contest CBT - 2019.

It doesn’t matter how you fell into hell or how long you've been there. The important thing is learning how to get out.

Contact Rumi

To see if a Rumi Speaks session is the right fit for your organisation, call Rumi today on 027 438 2771 or complete the form below.