29th Jun 2025
Meet the Member – Lyn Penman, The Anxiety Therapist UK
Name, business name
Lyn Penman, The Anxiety Therapist UK
Tell us about your businesses, the inspiration behind it and when you launched it?
My journey with anxiety started in 2009, just after I had my first baby. As a midwife, I assumed I’d have it all covered — I knew the signs, I thought I was prepared… but how wrong I was. Postnatal anxiety hit me hard. I became overwhelmed with health anxiety and panic attacks and felt completely alone in it all.
Years later, in 2019, I left a very unhappy marriage with my four children and knew I couldn’t go back to midwifery. I still wanted to support women — but in a deeper, more lasting way. That’s when I decided to retrain as a psychotherapist.
My business was born from that lived experience. I now specialise in helping high-functioning women who are silently struggling with anxiety, overthinking, and scary physical symptoms. Through 1:1 CBT therapy, You V Anxiety: The Academy, online courses, and corporate work, I help women feel calm, capable, and like themselves again.
Best piece of advice you were given at the start of your business journey?
Don’t spend money on your business unless you have money in your business
What has been your biggest lesson/ challenge faced so far and how did you overcome it?
On a personal note — 💯 it was leaving my marriage and going solo with four young kids. It was terrifying, but it taught me how resilient I really am. I had to rebuild my life from scratch, trust myself, and hold the vision for something better — even when everything felt uncertain.
Professionally? Writing my book The Now Step. What a head-f*! It pushed every button I had. I battled imposter syndrome, overthinking, and the pressure to get it “perfect.” But I reminded myself of why I was doing it — to help women feel seen and supported in their anxiety, without having to dig through their past. Hitting publish was one of the proudest moments of my career.
Both experiences taught me this: you can do hard things, especially when your purpose is bigger than your fear.
What is your number 1 business tip for success?
Start before you feel ready — and stay consistent even when you don’t feel confident.
So many women hold themselves back waiting to feel “qualified enough” or “sorted enough,” but the truth is, clarity and confidence come from action.
What are the big business goals for the next year?
To grow my online anxiety academy to 150 members
How can the GGC Business membership help?
Networking events
What’s the dream?
I want to build the go-to brand for anxiety in the UK. When a woman is lying awake at 3am, overthinking every symptom and thought — I want her to find me. To know that someone actually gets it and can help.
I want thousands of women going through my courses thinking, “Why did no one teach me this sooner?” I want The Now Step on shelves in supermarkets and airports. I want You V Anxiety: The Academy to be the place women turn to when they’re done Googling and just want real support that works.
Fave mantra to get you buzzed up for business
I CAN and I WILL
Three fun facts about you!
I’ve delivered lots of babies
I’ve written a best selling book
I learned at 46 how to do a headstand
