NA: It is hard and obviously [mental health issues] are prevalent everywhere, but in an industry where performance is part of the deal, part of your service is to switch on something else, it’s so important these conversations become more open. As you know, I have mental health struggles too and especially with the pressure of doing bigger and bigger jobs, my god, I’ve had occasions where I’ve called you, I’ve sent you voice messages before [laughs].
WP: We’ve been each other’s call in that scenario.

NA: And I’m like, “I’m losing it, dude, I’m losing it.” A part of me was always questioning whether I should tell people about it. Not even the public, but people I’m working with on a practical level – “Here is where I’m at, this is what I can deliver, I need this, this and this to help me do my job and come out of it the other side, if not better then the same as when I entered.” My mother always used to say it’s about energy input and output, it doesn’t matter how much you love a thing, if you leave with less energy than you came with, from a mental health place or a soul place, it’s just not worth it.
WP: Wise.

NA: So I’m starting to be a little more open. I think it’s really brave to talk to the people who are running the show and be like, “Yo, I know this is a dream thing, I know I’m lucky to be here, but I’ve got other stuff going on that has to be given attention, too.”
WP: Exactly. I think the stigma around mental health is so asphyxiating and, like you said, mental health is a global reality of being human. Sometimes it’s spoken about like this unique thing that a couple of people deal with, not that mental health and your physical health are something that overlap. Your mental health is physical health in many respects, so I think the more work that can be done towards accepting that the better.

NA: I’m going to change up the game for a second because I’ve had a burning question for a really long time. [laughs]
WP: Go for it.

NA: One time we were walking in the park and I had on a pair of white trainers, it was muddy and I was walking across the grass. [laughs]
WP: I remember it well.

NA: It really bothered you that I was walking with white trainers on muddy grass, so my question… and you’ve also told me some weird things that you do, I’m going to out you right here, like wearing trainers that are a size too small…
WP: So they don’t crease! [both laugh]

NA: Why do you love trainers so much?
WP: That’s a really good question, I do fucking love trainers and it’s funny you say that because a friend of mine came to me in distress about their Air Force 1s creasing and I was like, “I’ve got a solution for you.” I told them about the half size down, you can even wear two pairs of socks and roll the second pair down.

NA: That’s what you told me! [both laugh]
WP: Cover your metatarsal and your toes you know, yeah hilarious. [laughs] It gets real nerdy but I don’t even know why I like shoes that much. For as long as I can remember I’ve always just loved trainers. When I was really, really little it was the light-up ones, that’s the earliest memory I have of seeing a pair of trainers and being like, “Wow.” They’re a bit of a look in adulthood I’ve got to say, but I back it, if you want to bring back the light-up trainers in your mid-twenties then respect.

NA: I’m already trying to structure an outfit that would allow me to wear a pair.
WP: That’s amazing. [laughs] You’re into your fashion from a technical perspective, like you’ve considered studying it, right?

NA: Yeah, so my mum was a seamstress on the side, she worked in the NHS but she made dresses and bought me a sewing machine when I was little and taught me how to knit. I think I’ve told you this before but when I had Instagram I followed Dior, and they would have these beautiful little videos where they’re all speaking French and beading little pieces of fabric really slowly, dresses that take 200 hours to make, just one bead at a time. Look, I’ll show you this, so to pass the time I actually bought myself some beads and stuff [shows Will a box of beading equipment].
WP: Love it!

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