Men's Mental Health Week with one of the DOA

This year's Men’s Mental Health week, we want to share some words from one of the J’s that make up the creative and cheeky company Department of Arts, Jules! As well as running a company with his 2 best friends, Jules is one of most high-energy Drum and Bass MC’s to come out of New Zealand. He is proud to share his journey with well-being and the importance of mental health in a male dominated industry.

What’s your name?

Jules Bohumil Benacek Craft

What’s your professional position?

Director and Comms Guy at Department of Arts

Can we get a little bit of a background story? Where are you from? Can you tell us a bit about DOA and what you do?

Gisborne born and bred, Waikato varsity educated, and one time non-travelling reserve for the NZ U18 Surf team. At the Department of Arts we have turned our joy for merry making and mischief management into full-time employment and a lot of anxiety inducing overheads. We are proud to be A to Z service for Design, Fabrication, and Installation.

You're in quite a male dominated industry, is men’s mental health talked about?

I have always liked the concept of Hauora (emotional, physical, social, and spiritual wellbeing), and we made openly speaking about these things a big value in the Department of Arts. Healthier people make better teammates! In action it's simply checking in and asking one another how these aspects of our life are going.

Your work is physically demanding and has huge time pressures. How do you manage this yourself?

When work is pumping I like to train for it. Morning meditation, journaling, and throwing around the kettle bell allow me to deal with the stress. Honestly, what I would like to work on is being OK when there isn't time pressure and physical demands. I kind of fall apart if my adrenal glands aren't pumping 24/7.

What makes you happy about what you do?

I like my business partners and I like building a work culture that attracts like minded people. I also love when we get to buy sick feeds on the business card while we are on an away job.

Almighty is all about balance, we encourage a balanced lifestyle as a brand.

What’s something naughty for you?

Parade Ponsonby. Double smash, make it deluxe, add cheese, side of fries with special sauce.

And what’s something good for you?

A healthy sleep cycle.

How do you like to stay active and move your body?

Kettle bell, yoga, running, and surfing.

Who is someone you look up to and why?

Angus Muir, a talented NZ light artist. He is always solution focussed, he cares for his team and leads from the front. His appetite for creating never stops.

The walls down by now, what’s something we might not know about you?

I've been finding the last 6-8 weeks really hard and I hate the cold. I just want to be successful and secure right now, but I have no idea what success and security means.

What are you reading at the moment?

The Creative Act by Rick Rubin.

And of course, if you had to drink one flavour of Almighty for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Yuzu Lime!

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