Kate George Weaver Gibbs: Turning Trauma Into Purpose & Powering A Global Mental Health Movement

In a world where conversations about mental health are increasing in volume, few tales pierce as powerfully with the simplicity and complexity of lived experience. Kate George Weaver Gibbs, CEO of mental health platform, Are You Ok, brings to this dialogue not just professional insight but also a path punctuated by remarkable resilience, personal tragedy and purposeful reinvention.

In December 2016, life was forever altered for Kate. Due to a devastating accident in Italy, she was paralysed, lost 50 percent of her vision and memory, suffering catastrophic brain injury. But from an extraordinary comeback, led by medical skill and family care, Kate emerged with a new sense of direction. That healing journey through trauma drives Are You Ok, a digital mental wellbeing platform that now empowers individuals and businesses with accessible and thoroughly human-centered mental wellbeing resources.

Kate's previous experience, from marketing to law, pharmaceuticals and fashion, was always about people. Her work on a multimedia project in South Africa and subsequent switch to public speaking and mediation all demonstrate her natural tendency to engage and empower.

Her leadership is rooted in empathy and truth, informed by her own vulnerability and faith that even the toughest pain can become fuel for strength and service.

How did your early life and career journey shape who you are today?

I grew up in a small South Wales village with a simple, happy childhood centered on school, sport, and family. Looking back, it gave me the love, security, and foundation essential for mental wellbeing, especially today.

I studied business and marketing, though my real passion was always people, cultures, and world religions, perhaps I should’ve studied theology. After my degree, I worked in marketing across various industries, including legal, pharmaceutical, and fashion, always drawn to the people and conversations more than the products.

Later, I joined a multimedia project in South Africa centered around the legacy of Nelson Mandela, that featured changemakers who used their platforms in sport, music, science and more for good. The turning point came in 2016 when I moved to Italy while writing for international magazines. Everything changed on December 2, 2016.

"People are priceless and humanity is the hero, you just need to see it; when we look beyond ourselves, we find understanding and support in the faces of strangers"

What led you to Are You Okay?

In December 2016, I was hit by a motorbike and suffered a catastrophic brain injury. I was partially paralysed, lost half my vision, movement, and memory. My family was told I wouldn’t survive. But by God’s grace and an incredible neurosurgical team, I did.

That loss gave me more than it took. I discovered the brain’s power, the body’s resilience, and the spirit’s strength. With my family’s unwavering support, I rebuilt my sense of self, from a place of authenticity.

That journey led me to Are You Okay an online mental health platform. After five years of rehabilitation, recovery and relearning how to do life, I was frustrated. With the physical recovery behind me I had a burning desire to do, to share what I’d learned about resilience and the mind’s complexity. Healing requires support, whether from professionals or simply someone who walks with you.

The platform’s roots trace back to a South African rehab centre during the pandemic, when patients needed remote access to their counselors and coursework. It inspired EHAB, an online rehab model, that our COO Gustav Gous would later develop into Are You Ok, a platform that addressed a broader range of mental health concerns. Today, we offer courses, resources, business specific programmes and access to a global network of professionals and counselors.

I didn’t create Are You Ok, it found me at a time I needed it.  

Tell us about the services & core philosophy behind the ‘Are You Okay’ mental health platform?

Are You Ok is an easy-to-use, affordable online mental health platform, costing businesses less than a cup of coffee per day per employee. It offers a range of self-help courses, interactive tools with quizzes and feedback,  and podcasts, all accessible anytime, anywhere.

We also collaborate directly with businesses, creating tailored wellbeing programs for teams and individuals, and fostering safe spaces for honest mental health conversations.  

Beyond the platform, our podcast studio shares real stories from people of all backgrounds, guided by our simple philosophy: “Tell me your story”. That one question, “Are you okay?”, can break barriers, build connections, and change lives.

What challenges do you face at Are You Ok? How do you handle them?

The biggest challenge in mental health today isn’t awareness, the real hurdle is turning that understanding into action. Mental health is acknowledged, but often not treated as urgent. There's a gap between knowing and doing.

In South Africa, for instance, mental health-related absenteeism costs the economy 19 billion rand a year, yet addressing it costs far less, and is still neglected. The challenge lies in getting decision-makers to act on what they already know.

My approach is simple: I visit businesses and ask, “How are you?” People open up when given a safe space. By listening, I gain insight, not just into individuals, but the organization itself. I then share this (anonymously) with leadership, showing them what their teams really need.

And it’s never about money. Employees want to be seen, heard, and valued. That’s what drives performance and loyalty. The solution? Emotional investment. When leaders genuinely support their teams, understanding becomes impact.

What impact do you aim to create through public speaking?

My public speaking journey began with sharing the story of my accident and recovery, which is an experience that left me deeply vulnerable. I got through it with the support of others. Not just family and friends, but strangers.

I learned that when I speak openly about my fears and shame, others feel safe to share their own struggles. Simply telling my story encourages others to open up.

That’s the purpose of my talks: not to instruct, but to normalize vulnerability. Vulnerability is strength, it is the stepping stone to authenticity, and authenticity is central to giving our lives purpose and ultimately fulfillment. 

Kate George Weaver Gibbs, CEO, Are You Ok

Kate George Weaver Gibbs is the CEO of Are You Ok, a digital wellbeing platform providing low-cost, human-centric wellbeing support to individuals and organizations. Kate initially developed a career in marketing for law, fashion and pharma, before a life-changing accident in 2016 re-directed her route. After suffering traumatic brain injury and years of recovery, she was driven to lead Are You Ok in making mental health support accessible globally. As a qualified Mediator, Kate facilitates the dialogue and dignity required for dispute resolution. She is the Team Dynamic Facilitator at Global Choices, appreciating that adding value to the lives of South Africans, starts with us.