Breaking the Silence: Alan Tompkins on Mental Health, Burnout, and Courage in Hospitality

In an industry known for intensity, long hours, and relentless pressure, Alan Tompkins’ story stands as a powerful reminder that leadership and success mean little without wellbeing.

On What I Wish I Knew at 30, Fran Harper sits down with Alan Tompkins, the first Australian ambassador for the Burnt Chef Project, to explore his deeply personal journey through hospitality, burnout, and mental health advocacy. His story speaks directly to professionals, leaders, and high achievers navigating pressure, identity, and the courage it takes to ask for help.

Life Behind the Kitchen Doors

With over 22 years in hospitality, Alan spent much of his career operating in high-pressure kitchens where performance was expected and vulnerability was not. Often positioned as the dependable “number two,” he found himself stepping into leadership roles without the emotional or psychological support to sustain them.

Behind the scenes, anxiety, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome quietly took hold,  struggles that many professionals experience but rarely name. Alan’s reflections highlight how unspoken expectations and constant pressure can slowly erode confidence and wellbeing.

When Burnout Becomes a Wake-Up Call

Alan’s journey reached a breaking point after experiencing multiple mental health breakdowns within a short period of time. What once felt like personal failure later became a moment of awakening. During the COVID period, when work hours slowed dramatically, Alan began studying mental health and gained language for experiences he had lived with for years. This shift marked the beginning of a new chapter, one rooted in self-awareness, healing, and purpose.

Choosing Advocacy Over Silence

Today, Alan works as a consumer peer worker at Frankston Hospital and uses his lived experience to support others navigating mental health challenges. As an ambassador for the Burnt Chef Project, he is helping change the culture of hospitality by encouraging open conversations, peer support, and psychological safety. Alan believes the next generation of chefs is leading a necessary shift, one where wellbeing, balance, and emotional intelligence are recognized as essential leadership skills.

Redefining Strength Through Vulnerability

One of Alan’s most powerful messages is simple yet transformative: vulnerability is not weakness. In an industry where taking a mental health day was once viewed as a liability, Alan now advocates for self-care, boundaries, and honest dialogue. By sharing his story, he invites others to recognize their own struggles and seek support without shame, a lesson that extends far beyond hospitality and into leadership at every level.

The Bigger Picture

Alan Tompkins’ story is a testament to resilience, self-awareness, and the courage it takes to rewrite your narrative. His journey reminds us that sustainable success requires more than endurance, it demands compassion, connection, and care for our inner world. As I reflect, real leadership begins when we give ourselves permission to be human.

Subscribe Now

For more powerful conversations on leadership growth, mindset transformation, and holistic wellbeing, subscribe to What I Wish I Knew at 30 with Fran Harper.

💡What’s one area of your life where you’ve been pushing through instead of asking for support? This week, take one small step toward prioritizing your wellbeing.

Listen Now