170 |Why Men in the Trades Don’t Talk About Mental Health | Hayley Booker

02/27/25 • 121 min

The Hidden Struggles of Linemen & Men in the Trades

The powerline industry is built on toughness, resilience, and hard work—but what happens when that toughness comes at the cost of mental health? In this episode of Powerline Podcast, I sit down with psychotherapist Hayley Booker, whose deep understanding of the trade (thanks to her lineman father) gives her a unique perspective on the mental health challenges men in the industry face.

We discuss:

The stigma around mental health in the trades
Why men feel they have to “earn the right” to open up
The consequences of emotional suppression and burnout
Practical tools for managing stress, self-talk, and resilience
How to create a culture where men can talk about what’s really going on

If you or someone you know is struggling, this conversation is for you. Let’s start breaking the silence.

Check out more from Hayley here: https://www.somaclinicalcounselling.com/hayley-booker

Listen & Subscribe for more real conversations about life in the trades.

The Hidden Struggles of Linemen & Men in the Trades

We discuss:

The stigma around mental health in the trades
Why men feel they have to “earn the right” to open up
The consequences of emotional suppression and burnout
Practical tools for managing stress, self-talk, and resilience
How to create a culture where men can talk about what’s really going on

If you or someone you know is struggling, this conversation is for you. Let’s start breaking the silence.

Check out more from Hayley here: https://www.somaclinicalcounselling.com/hayley-booker

Listen & Subscribe for more real conversations about life in the trades.

Previous Episode

169 | Lineman falls 62-Feet | A Line Wife’s Story of Survival, Advocacy, and Hope | Alyssa Sanchez

In this powerful episode of the Powerline Podcast, Ryan Lucas sits down with Alyssa Sanchez, a courageous line wife whose husband survived a devastating 62-foot bucket fall while on the job. Alyssa opens up about the harrowing day of the accident, the critical injuries her husband sustained, and the profound impact it had on their lives.

Together, they discuss the importance of safety in the lineman industry, the gaps that need to be addressed, and her passionate mission to raise awareness about lineman falls. This episode is not just a story of resilience—it’s a call to action for improved safety protocols and a deeper understanding of the risks linemen face every day.

Next Episode

171 | Why Sleep Is the #1 Performance Hack for Linemen & First Responders | James Geering

In this episode of Powerline Podcast, I sit down with former firefighter, Behind The Shield podcast host, stuntman, and two time author, James Geering, to talk about one of the most overlooked aspects of health: sleep.

We dive into why sleep is critical for linemen, firefighters, and other high-stress professions, how chronic sleep deprivation affects decision-making, reaction times, and long-term health, and what practical steps you can take to improve your sleep—even with unpredictable schedules.

If you’ve ever felt exhausted, foggy, or just “off” at work, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.