April 28, 2026
Last week, I was lucky enough to deliver my Caveman talk. The organisation had a day of training for TRiM practitioners (Trauma Risk Management) for their CPD, and they wanted me because of my history. It was not an easy decision or win for my business.
A few weeks ago, I was asked to share the story of how I developed the Caveman Principles and why it was important for others to hear it. Normally, this is something I would always jump to do, such a huge opportunity for my business. I mean, I am being booked to deliver one of my talks, being paid for the privilege of standing in front of people to tell my story, I love what I do, and although I know I deliver with impact, in my mind, there was a huge concern about me accepting this job.
It might seem odd that I considered not wanting to accept this offer. You see, I was being asked by a Policing organisation to come and speak to operational police officers and police staff who volunteer their time to this very worthy role as a TRiM support team. My knowledge and my previous career in Policing made me the perfect speaker, and there was no one else they wanted to do this. But what a dilemma.
As a medically retired Police officer, with 19 years of service, and a PTSD sufferer, letting the demons of the past get out of the box, by walking into an operational police environment, came with huge personal and professional risks. I have spent years working on myself, finding ways to manage my triggers, what to do and specifically what not to do. Being a reasonable person (I did not say sane), I had to think about it for quite some time.
After a few hours, I got back to my speaker booker (Kelly at The Great British Speakers agency) and accepted the booking. What conclusion did I come to, and why did I decide to accept a potential flare up of a very scary and everyday fight I have with myself? Well, the main overriding fact was that I had the benefit of the content from my own book. In it, I wrote about fears and even phobias. So, I had a baseline knowledge, to try something new and be able to do some good AND I had time to prepare.
In the weeks leading up to the event, I had time to think and time to work out solutions to potential PTSD pitfalls. My plan was simple: take it a step at a time, record, monitor and see if this was something I really could do.
The plan
Stage 1 was a briefing call with the organiser, which went really well, and I agreed to do the talk, suggesting how I could do it and what they should expect. They agreed that I should do my personal story, cover some of The Caveman Principles (the book), and also include the SLAP Technique. (Theory, take charge and control of what I could be exposed to).
Stage 2 was to plan and strategise the event. Picture and manage the potential bumps. Take a route that avoids things I do not want to talk about. Write and practice my speech that leads the conversation in a direction I knew I could manage. (Theory, plan the best possible outcome and be smart about it).
Stage 3, plan my travel, expectations and the impact. I spoke to my wife and family, let them know about the situation and kept them in the loop. Asked them to give me space but also to be my safety net. (Theory, I had someone watch my back and make sure I was safe).
Stage 4 was go do it and be awesome! (Theory, I know my stuff, I knew I could do it).
I Nailed It!
Stage 5 flick into self care and do something to unwind and focus on something different. (Theory, to look forward to a treat after the event, get me through it. I went off to Monaco to watch the classic Grand Prix).
Being a little bit older, wiser and experienced, I realised that being a PTSD sufferer is about taking control, it was using the strategy as a phobia sufferer. I developed the content for my book because I hated ladders, and I did not realise this could work for my PTSD as well!
Being ill is something that you cannot always control. It means you can be at the mercy of a situation, but as with any illness (asthma, diabetes, or even just hayfever), there are things you can do to control, prevent or treat such situations.
I have started to think that, at times, my PTSD could be a manageable situation. You may want to know a bit more about that, and all I can share is that this was a tough gig, something I cannot do very often. I exposed myself to the exact ingredients that trigger my PTSD, and it was exhausting. It was the equivalent of a hayfever sufferer rubbing their face in a fresh bunch of flowers, or someone thinking that dropping a bowling ball on their foot is a good thing. We can all survive such a situation, but why put yourself through it? Some may think it was stupid to do this, but I had my reasons for doing it.
What are these reasons? Well, I achieved something for myself, but more so, it was knowing I was supporting an amazing bunch of people who are doing something incredible to help their colleagues, to try to prevent the impact of PTSD affecting their workplace.
In case you are not aware of how I monitor my impact, after every talk, I display a QR code and ask for feedback on my content while I answer Q&As from attendees. After what seemed like hours of Q&As, it was only 25 mins (I was happy to answer all of the questions, and the organiser was over the moon), the feedback on my submissions was over, and it is phenomenal! The inset is from this very talk.
Afterthought from this gig.
The weirdest thing that happened was when I left the room. I realised on my drive home that these are no longer ‘my people’. I thought policing was always going to be in my blood for life, but now maybe this has been purged? This is a gift, something I am still unpacking, and I hope there will be a lesson in there somewhere. If I work it out, perhaps I will share it in another article.
Thought of the week
Being a Caveman is about having and considering options. Think, plan and work out what you can do, look at all the possibilities, and if you are reconsidering doing something, see if there is anything you can learn and grow from doing it.
I am genuinely pleased I did this gig. Policing needs all the support they can get. My small amount of discomfort, I believe, really helped develop and offered an insight into a profession that needs to do more to help officers and staff after traumatic events, and to top it off, I have a surprise gift from it that I am looking forward to unpacking.
Parting Question
Are you prepared to try something you have been refusing to even consider? I’d love to know what you have been putting off or out of your mind for similar reasons. I hope The Caveman Principles insight has been helpful.
Your friend, The Caveman.
P.S. When you are ready, here are a few things that might help you;
1) You can book me to attend your next event as a Keynote Speaker.
2) Grab a copy of my book, direct from my printing agent.
3) You might want to book yourself onto one of my eLearning courses to help you master a new skill.
4) Or if you have the time, find a time for a Caveman chat on a discovery call.