Ruby Wax
A Life Lived Out Loud - With Heart, Humor and Healing
If there’s one figure who makes the messy business of mental health feel human, hopeful and very, very real, it’s Ruby Wax. Comedian, author, psychotherapist - but above all, a warrior for our mental inner worlds.
Who Is Ruby Wax - and Why She's So Brilliant
Ruby started out on stage. She trained with the Royal Shakespeare Company before moving into TV, writing and performing for iconic British shows like Absolutely Fabulous. Wikipedia+2The Guardian+2
At her most candid, Ruby has talked openly about her battles with depression and bipolar disorder. Wikipedia+1
She didn’t stop at comedy: she earned a Master’s in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy from Oxford University. Wikipedia+1
Her work has won real-world recognition: she’s an OBE (for services to mental health), a visiting professor and a powerful speaker. Ruby Wax
Beyond books and TV, Ruby runs retreats and online mindfulness courses built around rewiring your thinking. Ruby Wax
Her Story of Struggle - And the Strength She Built From It
Ruby Wax isn’t just another funny face. Her journey is deeply rooted in pain, recovery and relentless self-inquiry:
She’s described her depression as “little demons biting chunks out of your brain,” and admitted she spent “a lifetime creating a ‘front’ to give the illusion that all is well.” The Guardian
In A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled, she explains how she found MBCT (Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy) to be a game-changer. The Guardian
She’s also talked about how mindfulness is like a gym for the brain - you need to train it, regularly. The Guardian
Even after she mastered practices, Ruby shares honestly that she’s had relapses, hospital stays and hard conversations - showing that healing isn’t a one-time achievement. The Guardian
She’s used humour as a refuge, turning traumatic memories into comedy - but she’s also dug deep, in therapy and retreat, to face what’s under the jokes. The Guardian
Why We Love Ruby: What She Teaches Us (at Moco and Beyond)
She Makes Mental Health Real - and Relatable
Ruby’s brilliance lies in her ability to talk about the hardest stuff - depression, shame, anxiety - and still make us laugh. That’s exactly the kind of authenticity we encourage in coaching: to show up honestly and to lead with your whole self.She Bridges Science + Soul
With her MBCT qualification, Ruby doesn’t just talk about feelings - she digs into the neuroscience. She brings brain-based tools into real life, which is something we at Moco deeply value: using powerful, tested practices - not just platitudes.She Champions Consistent Inner Work
Her retreats, her daily practice, even her relapses - they all remind us that self-care and self-discovery are lifelong. There’s no “arrived”; there’s just growth. That aligns so strongly with how we approach coaching: as a journey, not a quick fix.She Normalises Vulnerability and Strength
Ruby’s lived experience - both the public laughs and the private pain - shows that vulnerability is not weakness. It’s a source of connection, leadership and courage. In the workplace and in life, that matters.She Demystifies the Mind
Mental health doesn’t have to be mysterious or scary. Ruby breaks down complex psychological concepts in a way that’s accessible and often hilarious. That’s exactly the kind of reframing we help clients do: turning overwhelming inner worlds into understandable, actionable territory.
What Ruby’s Journey Means for Moco Coaching
At Moco Coaching, we believe real transformation isn’t just about external goals; it’s about inner alignment.
Ruby teaches us that self-awareness is powerful - and that the hardest work is often done in silence, internally.
Her life shows that therapy, mindfulness and humour can work together - they’re not separate tools but complementary ones.
She models what it means to lead from resilience, not performance: not pretending to be “fixed,” but embracing the ongoing journey.
Final Thought: Why Ruby Matters - for All of Us
Ruby Wax is not just an icon. She’s a guide, a mirror and a fellow traveller on a path that doesn’t look like “fixing,” but like growing. In her story, we see the messiness of healing - and the strength that comes from it.
If you’ve ever felt like your mind is out of control … or like admitting it would be a weakness … Ruby’s work is a reminder: resting, repairing and realigning are not indulgences. They’re the foundation.
At Moco Coaching, that’s exactly what we help people build. And we’re grateful to Ruby for showing us - and the world - how powerful that is.