Coping With Emotional Pain & Proving Your Worth

In this powerful episode of Gents Talk, supported by Bulova Canada, French-born, Michelin-trained celebrity chef Romain Avril discusses his journey through the culinary industry's toxic environment and his personal quest for mental well-being. At 15, he endured mental and physical bullying, with a superior telling him, "You will never make it. You should quit right now. You have no talent. You have no future in this industry," an experience he views as the catalyst for his mental toughness and success.

Now a mental health advocate, the Avril shares his recent life-changing experience starting therapy at age 40, which allowed him to confront childhood trauma and recognize patterns in his behaviour, such as shutting down emotions and hiding that he wasn't okay. The biggest revelation was understanding his family's pattern of expressing love through gifts and education, but not with "words of affirmation" like "I love you" or "I'm proud of you".

The conversation delves into the high rates of mental health struggles and suicide among chefs, the importance of breaking toxic patterns, and the need for basic respect and safe environments in professional kitchens. He also encourages men to seek therapy, calling it a sign of strength, and discusses how embracing his feminine side—which includes caring for his appearance and cooking with elegance—has actually made him a more "masculine" man. Avril emphasizes that the competition should be within oneself, focusing on progress and self-improvement rather than competing with others.

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🎙️ Credits:
Host/Producer: Samir Mourani
Creative Director & Executive Producer: Steven Branco
A STAMINA Group Production