When radio star Paul “Flynny” Flynn stepped away from the airwaves earlier this year, he told listeners he needed time to focus on his health. Two months on, the former More FM presenter is now ready to share the full story behind his decision, opening up to Woman’s Day about his frightening battle with depression.
“It’s been a rough few months, but I finally feel like I’m getting back to my old self,” says the much-loved broadcaster at the Auckland home he shares with wife Jo and their blended family.
Flynny opens up about his anxiety and burnout
Flynny says while he’d suffered from anxiety and depression in the past, this recent bout was the worst he’d ever felt. After 25 years in commercial radio, the job he once adored had begun to lose its magic. He felt flat, disconnected and deeply burnt out.
“I felt yucky while I was on air, and being on air is one of my favourite things to do, you know?” he reveals.
“I knew I wasn’t doing a good job and I felt like I was letting myself and other people down.”
And it wasn’t just at work where Flynny, who is dad to Jack, 19, Leo, 16, Mickey, 13, Alex, 10, from his first marriage, and stepdaughter Bella, eight, didn’t feel right. He was exhausted and was struggling to muster any joy or enthusiasm.
“I withdrew from everyone and everything,” he says.
“I isolated myself and all I wanted to do was sleep. It was a scary feeling, and awful for my wife and my kids to see.”
Seeking help and the decision to step away
He tried counselling, but Flynny continued to spiral. By March, it had got to the point where he knew something had to change. He admits his former co-host Jay-Jay Feeney’s decision to resign last year, also citing burnout, helped give him the confidence to do the same. On 30 May, he announced he was leaving More FM.
Flynny admits, “I think if you’re a radio personality, you give so much of yourself emotionally. People might just think it’s a good laugh, but when you’re there every day, you share a lot. When you do it for a long time, especially like Jay Jay and me, you do get to a point where you have to take a break from it.”
Stepping away from the job he loved was heartbreaking, yet Flynny knew it was the right thing to do. Since then, he’s dedicated himself to focusing on his mental health and his wedding celebrant work.
ADHD diagnosis and understanding burnout
Flynny, who’d already been on anti-anxiety medication for several years, visited his GP, who sent him to a psychiatrist. While it was clear he was suffering anxiety and depression, he was also diagnosed with ADHD, a condition that includes a combination of persistent problems, such as difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behaviour.
In fact, after speaking to his doctor, Flynny believes he was suffering from “ADHD burnout”, where he’d reached total overwhelm after living without help for so long.
“It’s where you’ve had ADHD your whole life, but you’ve been trying to do it with no help,” he says.
“The doctor said it was like I’d had one hand tied behind my back my whole life. You reach the point where your body and brain are just exhausted.”
Finding relief and renewed energy
But Flynny found instant relief with ADHD medication, and with plenty of love and support from family and friends, he’s starting to feel like his old self. He’s also been exercising daily, something he believes is vital to his recovery.
“I just have a new lease of life,” he enthuses.
“I feel driven, I feel happier again. I’ve got this amazing energy. I don’t feel tired like I did before. I’ve got my drive back.”
Embracing a new chapter
And he’s delighted to be channelling his energy into a new chapter. The former radio host has worked as a wedding celebrant on the side for more than a decade, officiating hundreds of marriages, as
well as conducting funerals. Now, he’s turning his passion into a full-time gig. A self-confessed romantic, Flynny says he gets just as excited about a wedding now as he did when he started.
“I still get tearful – even though I’m only the celebrant!” he laughs.
With his one-of-a-kind “one-stop shop” offering of celebrant, MC and DJ all in one, he’s proud to bring something truly unique to a couple’s big day.
“It’s an honour to be part of such a special moment in people’s lives,” he smiles.
“I never take that for granted.”
Gratitude and looking forward
While stepping away from radio took courage, he has no regrets. As he looks to the future, he says he’ll always be grateful to his devoted wife Jo for helping him through the toughest time.
“She’s been truly amazing,” he muses.
“I’ll never forget what she’s done for me in this period. It is very, very special.”
If you or someone you know needs help, free call or text 1737 for support from a trained counsellor. You can also call Lifeline on 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357.
