From a Decade of Clinical Depression to Renewed Clarity

Simon Jones: Founder of klarosity

In the world of ambitious goals and demanding schedules, the pressure is a given.

We’re driven to optimise, to achieve, and to lead. But what happens when the internal cost of that drive becomes too high?

For over a decade, I found out the hard way.

My journey with meditation didn’t start in a boardroom or on a retreat. It began with a quiet intrigue in the peaceful moments of my childhood. As I grew older, however, life’s inevitable challenges mounted, culminating in a ten-year period of clinical depression.

Looking back, I don't know what caused it. Life was good. Great career, amazing family. I felt I thrived on the pressure of business, the intensity of a competitive corporate environment, the 14 hour days and I adored the wonderful family that I was so lucky to have.

But, almost out of nowhere, it hit me. Like a ton of bricks.* I was functional, I never took any time out, but I was in a bad way. The medication that I eventually turned to (prescibed of course!) also left me feeling numb, disconnected from the very drive that defined me.  I knew there had to be a better way to navigate the pressure without losing myself.

That’s when I truly turned to meditation. It wasn't an instant fix. My initial steps were experimental and inconsistent, a common experience for many. But then it clicked, I committed to a consistent, daily practice, and everything changed.  This wasn't about spirituality, it was a pragmatic decision to try and retrain my mind. I began to study the evidence, wanting to understand why meditation had worked for me.

The science of meditation is compelling. We now know that the brain has a remarkable ability to change and reorganise itself in response to experience, a process called neuroplasticity.  Regular meditation is a powerful way to direct that change. Research has shown it can strengthen the prefrontal cortex, the part of your brain responsible for logical thinking, planning, and decision-making. It can also strengthen the hippocampus, which is vital for emotional regulation and memory. Crucially, studies indicate that meditation can reduce the reactivity of the amygdala, the brain’s fear and stress centre.

This isn’t abstract science. these are tangible upgrades to your internal hardware. For me, the results were profound and directly applicable to my professional and personal life.

• I was more resilient:  The constant feeling of anxiety began to recede. By activating the body’s ‘relaxation response’, meditation helps to lower levels of stress hormones like cortisol.  This creates the calm, stable foundation needed to handle pressure effectively.

  
  

• I was more focused:  My ability to concentrate improved dramatically. With a clearer mind, I could work through complex challenges and make better, more incisive decisions. This was the result of training my attention, just like any other skill.

  
  

• I was a better leader:  My daily meditation practice made me a calmer, more eompathetic and compassionate person. This had a profound impact on my relationships. Scientifically, this makes sense, meditation has been shown to strengthen the tempo-parietal junction, a region of the brain responsible for empathy and compassion.

  
  

• I was more creative:  When I need innovative solutions, I set aside time for meditation. By quietening the mind, it allows the brain to enter creative alpha and theta wave states, where new ideas and insights can surface.

  
  

My journey has taught me that meditation is not an escape from the demands of a driven life. It is the very tool that allows you to meet those demands with greater clarity, focus, and resilience. It’s a practice of continuous improvement, a way to develop the inner resources needed to achieve your most ambitious goals.

I founded klarosity to share the benefits of meditation with other driven individuals.  To provide a structured, evidence-based path for you to unlock your own potential.

None of our journeys are the same, but my experience tells me that the edge I was looking for wasn’t out there. It was within.

Take care. Si

*Until now I've never talked about my period of depression openly. This was a difficult post to write and publish. If you'd like to discuss any of the issues raised in this post then please reach out. If you're experiencing depression please speak to you GP or seek support from one of these organisations: https://www.mind.org.uk/

https://www.samaritans.org