Mitch Wallis

Growing up in Sydney, Mitch lived a very “normal” and privileged life. He was fortunate enough to join Microsoft as an intern when he was 19, the youngest person in the company at the time. After 5 years working in Australia, Mitch was promoted to Microsoft HQ in Seattle USA as global product marketing manager for ‘Surface’ where he led some of the biggest launches in the hardware space for the tech giant.
However, that wasn’t the full story. His inside life wasn’t the perfect Instagram moment. Since the age of 7 years old, Mitch has suffered a lifelong battle with debilitating anxiety, OCD, panic attacks, dissociation and depression which has seem him contemplating taking his life. 2 years ago he broke down completely, leaving him unable to continue his life as he knew it. His life crumbled around him. He thought it was all over.

On the 30th May 2017, Mitch released a video of his story, in the hope that someone out there would feel understood and feel less alone by his unexpected yet painfully relatable journey. Within 1 week the video reached over 1 million people and started a global Movement called Heart On My Sleeve where people all around the world began drawing and tattooing hearts on their arm and sharing their story. Heart On My Sleeve is now one of the fastest growing mental health organizations in Australia. In partnership with KPMG, the business has since developed market leading social campaigns, education platforms & peer support networks.

Current Work:

Mitch now devotes himself fulltime to helping solve the single biggest issue facing his generation - mental health. He was appointed the first ever ambassador for the Australia & New Zealand Mental Health association, and has been named a Westfield Local Hero in their annual awards. He was appointed a board of director position at SuperFriend - the mental health body of Australia’s Superannuation Industry, and has presented at the 19th Annual International Psychology Conference.

He has interviewed the likes of Miss Universe Australia, Osher Günsberg & Ruby Wax. He has featured across Sky News, Channel 10’s The Project, and recognized by GQ Magazine as a Man of Influence Shaping Society as part of their 2019 Gentleman's Ball Issue. Mitch has spoken at/is working with - some of the most recognized companies in the country including Google, Spotify, Dropbox, Woolworths, Salesforce, Suncorp, Salesforce, and more.

Mitch has a Masters of Psychology degree from Columbia University in New York and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Sydney. He has done specialised study under leading global psychology teachers including Harvard’s Dr Dan Brown and UCLA’s Dr Dan Siegel. He is accredited in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and is a trained Lifeline Crisis Support phone operator.

In his spare time, Mitch is a DJ, certified yoga teacher, boxer, meditation junkie, fashion tragic, pasta enthusiast, tattoo lover, writer and socialite.Family & friends are the most important thing in his life. He has visited more than 20 countries to-date, represented Sydney in squash, and completed the NY marathon. His proudest achievement is doing a handstand whilst beat boxing in front of Cara Delevingne in Brooklyn NY at 3am in front of a hot dog stand.