Mark Gibson: When the worst day of your life turns out to be the best thing that ever happened

Mark Gibson. Image: LinkedIn

Mark Gibson has imparted some valuable words of wisdom after signing on for another two years as the host of ABC Radio Perth Breakfast.

In a LinkedIn post, Gibson tells of how he suddenly found himself unemployed at the age of 48 – with no income and no idea what to do next – and offers some sage advice for anyone who has suffered the shock, humiliation and self-doubt of losing their job and/or career.

“You know how it seemed like the worst thing that could ever happen? Well, what if I told you that it might actually be the best?” he asks.

“Six years ago, I was dispensed with by my employer of 19 years. No warning, no explanation, not even ‘thanks for your service’. Just a heartless two-minute meeting, a white A4 envelope passed across a desk and the words ‘You can leave now.’”

“Just like that, my 25-year television career was over … I struggled. I really struggled. I had no income and no idea what I would do next.”

“Way back in 1991, my career had begun in radio. And in January 2020, radio was where I returned. I started hosting a variety of talkback programs and quickly discovered that I loved it. The adrenaline, the pressure, the excitement, the immediate connection with listeners, the storytelling… it’s all about the stories.”

“Then, two years ago something wonderful happened. I was offered the opportunity to host the Breakfast program on ABC Radio Perth. Did I doubt myself? Absolutely. Did I fear failure and feel like an imposter? You bet!”

“However, with the support of a brilliant team, I threw myself into it – learning to panel my own three-hour program, taking the Breakfast show on the road across Perth, connecting with the community, leading massive charitable fundraising campaigns and crafting a program that I hoped would be interesting, entertaining, engaging and relevant.”

It wasn’t all smooth sailing. Gibson says the audience took time to build. There were negative comments and hurtful headlines.

But momentum grew and within 18 months the ABC Breakfast program had reached its highest audience share in years.

“After two years as the Breakfast presenter, I have signed on for another two years,” says Gibson. “And with any luck, I’ll be around for a while longer than that. I can honestly say that I love bouncing into work before dawn each day. Preparing and presenting three hours of live radio with thousands tuning in as they start their day is an enormous privilege.”

Gibson’s message? When you find yourself kicked to the kerb, remember that the door that slammed in your face might just lead to an opportunity you didn’t even know existed.

“As impossible as it is to fathom, your most fulfilling days could still be in front of you. That ‘worst day of your life’ might turn out to be the best thing that ever happened.”

“It certainly did for me.”