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Meet Zawar Khan, Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner with Talking Therapies Manchester

Zawar Khan is a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner with Talking Therapies Manchester, joining as a trainee in September 2023 before qualifying a year later. But his career path is only one part of a journey that Zawar has been on in the last few years. 

He took the time to tell us all about how running, public speaking and his work has all contributed to him finding shared communities, overcoming Social Anxiety and preparing for the next chapter.

“Big Life felt like a place where warmth, encouragement and psychological safety were built into everyday working life. That culture helped me grow not just as a practitioner, but as a person. “

Zawar’s Story:

When I joined Big Life as a Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner in September 2023, I carried years of self-doubt with me. Social situations had always felt difficult, and for a long time I believed that was just how I was. Something fixed, rather than something I could work with. 

What changed wasn’t a sudden boost in confidence, but gradual, supported growth. I qualified in October 2024, and throughout that time Big Life felt like a place where warmth, encouragement and psychological safety were built into everyday working life. Feeling trusted by colleagues and managers gave me permission to try new things, to stretch myself and to get things wrong without fear. That culture helped me grow not just as a practitioner, but as a person. 

Through my work, I deepened my understanding of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, particularly Graded Exposure – gently facing feared situations rather than avoiding them. Applying those principles in my own life was a real turning point. Instead of withdrawing, I started putting myself into situations that once felt overwhelming, in manageable and compassionate ways. In many ways, this was my first real attempt at what I would later come to understand more simply as putting myself out there.  

One of those steps was joining Muslim Runners, part of the Active Inclusion Network. Through the group, I found a community rooted in shared experience, faith and encouragement. At first, it was simply turning up to runs. Over time, it became travelling to events on my own, building friendships and learning that confidence doesn’t come before belonging, it grows from it. Each step forward came from choosing to show up, even when it felt uncomfortable. 

Running has taken me further than I ever expected. I’ve now completed ten marathons and two ultra marathons, including finishing the Chicago Marathon with a fractured fibula. From mile 17 onwards, I was in real pain, but messages and calls from people in my community helped me to keep going. That experience reinforced something I’ve learned again and again; being connected changes what feels possible. 

This same mindset led me to Toastmasters International. I joined initially as a guest and eventually delivered more than 50 speeches – including speaking as a best man at a wedding. Public speaking once felt unthinkable. What made the difference wasn’t perfection, but continuing to step forward, to speak, to be seen, even when it felt uncomfortable. I am currently the President of my local Toastmasters club in Preston overseeing the committee and day-to-day operations of the club.  

Last year, I joined Big Life’s Career Development Programme for people from racialised communities. It’s given me space for reflection, shared learning and honest conversations about barriers to progression. Hearing other people’s stories reminded me that growth is rarely linear, it stops, starts and often comes in unexpected ways.  

A phrase shared with me by one of the Community Leads of Muslim Runners, Semeena Khan, has stayed with me throughout: ‘Just Put Yourself Out There’. What I’ve come to realise is that this doesn’t mean being fearless or confident all the time. It means showing up despite the doubt, taking small steps forward and allowing growth to happen over time. 

It’s a mindset I’m still learning to live by, supported, encouraged and challenged by Big Life along the way.