Fatherhood and mental health: ‘When I became a dad, I lost myself... I was breaking’

Fin McKenna-Fox began to struggle with his mental health shortly after becoming a father. After learning how to authentically ground and express himself, he became a men’s health coach to help others do the same

Fin McKenna Fox: ‘If you start talking about emotions, a lot of men will put walls up.’ Photo: Arthur Carron

Liadán Hynes

Men’s coach and health and wellness consultant Fin McKenna-Fox was living in Perth with his wife Shóna and their first child, when his mental health first began to suffer.

“I come from a sports physio background. I was working in Australia as a holistic movement therapist, and had my own clinic. When I became a father there was a whole heap of stuff I didn’t expect to happen. I kind of lost myself in the thick of it.”