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From navigating motorways to navigating minds, Mark’s transformation from HGV driver to aspiring psychotherapist is a story of grit, growth and giving back.
Life Before Counselling: A Heavy Load, in More Ways Than One
Mark, a 52-year-old home delivery HGV driver from the UK, knows a thing or two about carrying weight — both physically and emotionally. Having served in the army for seven years, he left under difficult circumstances after developing vasculitis from aviation fuel exposure.
“The army taught me to drink,” he says candidly. “They never taught me to stop.”
After his discharge, Mark experienced periods of homelessness, battled PTSD and depression, and felt cast aside by the very institutions meant to support veterans. “The army set me up to succeed and then let me fail,” he says. But he doesn’t dwell on blame. “If you make a bad choice, you live with it. If you make a good one, the same applies.”
That mindset laid the foundation for a radical change in direction — a pivot not just in career, but in purpose.
A New Chapter Sparked by Love
It was his wife who first saw Mark’s hidden strength: an ability to connect deeply with others, despite his self-professed status as a “reclusive introvert.” She encouraged him to pursue counselling.
“She said I had this unnatural talent to get on well with people,” Mark recalls. “And I hate people!” he laughs. “But what she said was true.”
He began with a government-funded Level 2 counselling course, which he “swept through,” surprising even himself with how much he enjoyed it.
He soon found Association of Learning, and enrolled on the Level 3 Counselling Diploma in 2023, followed by the Advanced Counsellor and Psychotherapist Level 4 in 2024, and now, Level 5 in 2025.
Learning on the Move
Balancing work and study is no easy task for a man who spends 12–15 hours a day on the road, handballing up to 30 tonnes of kitchen units a week. But Mark found the learning support he needed through flexible online study and responsive tutors.
“Any time I got something wrong, I’d get helpful feedback,” he says. “And my tutor would recommend resources — BBC scripts, online videos — things I didn’t even know existed. I could listen to them while driving or on weekends. It’s fantastic for me.”
From Lived Experience to Life-Changing Support
What truly sets Mark apart isn’t just his qualifications, but the depth of his lived experience — and his willingness to use it to help others.
At work, he’s already an unofficial counsellor for his fellow drivers, many of whom are ex-forces themselves. “One lad I speak with saw his best friend die,” he says. “Others are going through marriage breakups. They’ll say, ‘Can we go with Mark?’ We’ll sit for six hours together and just talk. And it pays off.”
Mark’s approach is grounded in compassion and authenticity. “I tell them, you’re not alone. You’ve made the first step by coming to talk to someone. That’s what matters.”
The Road Ahead
Now nearing 53, Mark knows he can’t continue with the physically demanding work much longer. His plan is to move into private counselling practice, ideally self-employed, so he can work on his own terms and support those society often overlooks.
“Therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all. I don’t want to be monopolised. I’ll learn my own way. Therapy is open-ended — you don’t know what the next hour will bring.”
His ambition is broadening too. What started as a focus on veterans has evolved into something bigger. “Everyone has a story,” he says. “Animators, drivers, anyone. You’re not the only one, and people need to hear that.”
A Therapist in the Making
Mark speaks with refreshing honesty about his struggles with alcoholism, broken relationships and life after the military — but draws a firm line when it comes to war stories. “I don’t want to glorify what the armed forces represents,” he says. “I’m a pacifist now. People don’t need to know the details.”
What they do need, he believes, is someone who listens without judgment. Someone who’s been there.
“It’s not about seeing someone succeed. It’s when they tell their story for the first time. That moment when they realise they’re not alone — that’s what makes it worth it.”
Mark’s story is a powerful example of how counselling can help us heal ourselves — and others. For anyone looking to make a similar journey, the Counselling and Psychotherapy Pathway at Association of Learning offers flexible, supported learning tailored to your life.
0333 344 2126