It’s important to realise that behind all the filters and seemingly perfect lives of Instagram, we are real people and we’ve all been or are going through the same ups and downs. It’s fair to say that this industry that I’m a part of is a contributor to an increased level of mental health, which is why I want to be here for any of my followers who feel they have no one to turn to, for advice or just a chat. We have all been through tough times but they do define who we are and make us stronger. Guys especially, struggle to show emotion or express their feelings and I’ve been one of those people for most of my life, holding it in for no reason at all, except to seem manly. Yet being a gentleman is about expressing emotions, being empathetic, supportive, loving and compassionate. So this is me, no filter, in a nutshell. I’m Carl, I’ve never been incredibly academic, skipped university to pursue a career in IT which I excelled at. I’ve always worked extremely hard, I’m what you would call a grafter. I started my business Hawkins & Shepherd shirt makers from scratch, on my own with zero experience in the tailoring trade or fashion industry, something I’m extremely proud of. People often underestimate me. I live in a two bedroom flat in London with my French Bulldog Charlie (he has his own room!) I love to travel, it’s a passion of mine. I’ve probably had about 6 relationships worthy of discussion in my life and the most recent ended not so long ago and hit me hard. I cried. But that’s okay. I don’t have children but it’s something that would hurt deeply if it wasn’t in my future as I have the qualities to be an amazing father. I have the most incredible family, they mean the world to me. I don’t tell them that enough. My friends are my rocks. THAT’S ME. I was inspired to speak out after hearing @tommy_mallet from @towie discuss mental health and men opening up in general with his #BoysBareAll campaign. So guys, please speak out, it’s okay to talk, it’s okay to be sad, it’s okay to feel anxious. It’s okay. #ItsOkayToTalk #CarlThompson #MyStory #LoveLife #WorldMentalHealthDay #worldmentalhealthday2018 🖤🙏🏽

carlthompson