Wanstead resident Matt Lo is a life coach, NLP practitioner and, most recently, founder of The Dad Table, an online meeting space for dads and a small but important step towards improving men’s mental health
When I became a dad, I noticed something straight away: there was so much brilliant support for mums, but almost nothing for dads. And while I completely understand and respect the focus on maternal support, I couldn’t help but fill the gap.
The early days of fatherhood were beautiful – but also overwhelming, isolating and emotionally heavy. I looked around for something to help me process it all, and it just didn’t exist.
So, I created The Dad Table.
Truthfully, I didn’t just set it up for others – I needed it too. It’s a free weekly Zoom space for expectant, new and current dads to show up exactly as they are. There’s no pressure to speak – some dads just listen. Some talk. Some laugh. Every experience is valid. Some weeks we talk about broken sleep or toddler chaos. Other weeks we go deeper – around identity, burnout, relationships or the silent pressure to hold everything together. And sometimes, we just laugh at the madness of it all, because that helps, too.
We’ve had dads join from all across the UK – even from abroad. And no matter where they’re from, every dad seems to say a version of the same thing: “I didn’t realise how much I needed this!”
There’s something powerful about being in a space where you don’t have to perform, where you’re not judged, not being told what to do. You’re just listened to.
But there’s a deeper reason why this matters. Last year, 74% of all suicides in the UK were men. That statistic hits me every single time I read it – and it’s my mission to help change that. We need to normalise spaces where men can be open, vulnerable and supported. The Dad Table is a small, quiet step in that direction.
Alongside this, I’m a life coach and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) practitioner, working specifically with dads who feel overwhelmed, stuck, pressured or on the edge of burnout. I help them build structure, calm and clarity through daily routines and mindset strategies, so they can move forward without losing themselves. The Dad Table is an extension of that mission. It’s not about fixing people. It’s about offering a space to be seen, heard and supported – even if just for 60 minutes a week. If you’re anything like me, the weeks can blur together. Work, life, pressure, responsibility. You’re doing your best to be present – for your kids, your partner, your work. But some days, there’s barely anything left in the tank.
If you’re a dad and any of this resonates, you’re welcome to pull up a chair.
For more information and to contact Matt, visit wnstd.com/thedadtable
