James Rossano Bull
Specialisms: Mental Health, PTSD, Suicide, Mindset & Resilience and Neurodivergence
James Bull has served in the UK Fire & Rescue Service for over 23 years after a former life as a professional athlete. Following a breakdown, he exposed his secret battle with mental health, PTSD and anxiety in 2017.
His story was widely circulated in the media and numerous podcasts and articles followed. His story also attracted Hide & Seek Media who filmed James as the sole protagonist over a 4 year period for a documentary about mental health in the emergency services entitled "Feel the Burn".
James is now partnered with several sporting brands whom he represents taking on some of the toughest endurance events across the planet, and he uses these challenges as a platform to raise awareness and funds for mental health causes, whilst representing PTSD999 as an Ambassador.
Amongst his many feats of endurance, he has run across the Sahara desert twice, and has founded the running group 'Miles 4 Mates' which serves as a physical therapy and support group for those suffering with mental health issues.
After several requests from those he had supported and inspired to seek help, he started his YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@BlackDogRunClub which focuses on his races across the world, raising awareness of mental health, discussing mindset and resilience and providing an insight into the life of a frontline emergency operator. He has also been approached by a publisher to release his book which is close to completion.
He is now a well sought-after lived experience public speaker on the subjects of mental health, suicide, anxiety, PTSD, mindset and resilience. He has provided keynote speeches at numerous businesses and organisations, as well as emergency services, military, and sports clubs establishments.
Using his challenges as his therapy, he has developed a mindset to combat adversity, and is able to demonstrate that the mind can be as strong as the body when inspiring his audience.
He is the first to admit, his recovery journey is far from over, and he remains a work in progress; but his message is one that promotes thought about the reality of our personal situation, and the tools we have to develop to reach a better place.
