For International men's day, we wanted to shine a light on some of the amazing men that work for Aviation Job Search and find out a little more about them.
This year we would like to talk more about men’s mental health and all the things they do to keep on top of their mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.
Let’s hear from Colin Yates, one of our Business Development Executives here at Aviation Job Search.
Talk us through an average day in your life
An average day in my life starts at 7 AM, usually with my 3-year-old son energetically jumping on my stomach to wake me up. Once we’re up, I head downstairs to prepare breakfast for him and my partner, then tackle the usual morning chore of emptying the dishwasher from the night before. After breakfast, I help get my son ready for the day while my partner prepares for work.
Once the morning routine is wrapped up, I take a quick shower, have my own breakfast, and drop my son off at nursery. From there, my workday begins. Midday, I make sure to step out for some fresh air during lunch, which helps to reset and refocus for the afternoon stretch. At 5 PM, the workday ends, and I pick my son up from wherever he’s been, transitioning back into family mode.
By 6 PM, it’s time to start winding him down for bed, and after he’s settled, I move on to making and enjoying dinner with my partner—our "tea" if you’re from the North! Finally, by 10 PM, I’m ready to hit the bed and recharge for the next day.
What did you want to be when you were younger?
Like a lot of young boys across the globe, I dreamt of becoming a professional footballer. Scoring goals in front of thousands of people was always a dream that never became reality.
What do you think are some of the biggest challenges facing young boys and men today?
Having to differentiate between social media and real life.
How do you look after your mental health
I try to limit my time on social media, turn off unnecessary notifications, and use tools like Focus Mode to minimise distractions at important times of the day. When I am spending time with my son, for example.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Continue to question everything. Don't ever be afraid to ask questions, be curious, open to discovery, and be motivated to dig deeper into topics to gain a fuller understanding.
What changes would you like to see in the future for men and their mental health?
Possibly aim to teach boys and men to recognise, articulate, and manage their emotions from an early age. Incorporate some kind of training into school curriculums. I don't remember this being a thing in the 90’s!
Who is your biggest male inspiration in life?
My son, everything I now do is for him.
What is your proudest achievement?
Getting on the property ladder at 23.
