Muzzammil Riaz is a registered nurse, wellness advocate, and the founder of Trust The Process, a digital platform focused on mental health, healing, and authentic growth. Known for his honest storytelling and grounded perspective, Muzzammil blends clinical experience with emotional insight to support people navigating burnout, anxiety, and self-doubt, especially men who feel pressured to stay silent. His mantra, “healing isn’t linear,” guides his work across blog posts, podcasts, and social media, where he connects with a growing audience seeking honest conversations about resilience. As a frontline healthcare worker, Muzzammil understands the toll that emotional overload and unprocessed trauma can take. He encourages others to slow down, speak up, and embrace their vulnerability through his content and community outreach. He has earned multiple Dean’s List honors, balancing his academic excellence with ongoing service in healthcare and philanthropy. His efforts with the Paani Project have helped fund clean water wells, and he continues to lead initiatives that support underserved communities. Whether caring for patients, lifting weights at the gym, or journaling before sunrise, Muzzammil lives his mission: to help others keep going, one breath, one story, one step at a time. His work challenges stigma, promotes self-compassion, and reminds people everywhere that their truth is enough.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day begins early with journaling and quiet reflection. I do this before heading into my nursing shifts. The hospital environment can be intense, so I stay grounded by focusing on service. After work, I shift my attention to content creation. This includes writing, editing podcast episodes, or sharing wellness insights online. I also prioritize self-care through gym sessions, healthy meals, and time offline. To stay productive, I keep a list of three essential tasks I want to complete. This keeps me focused while leaving room for mindfulness and rest throughout the day.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Most of my ideas begin with a feeling. It might come from something I witnessed while working or a meaningful conversation. I record these thoughts in a notes app or a journal. From there, I reflect on how this moment can serve someone else. It could become a blog post, a podcast episode, or a video. I often speak ideas out loud or share a preview online to see what resonates. I then refine what feels true. I bring ideas to life by staying honest, listening deeply, and creating without needing everything to be perfect.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I am excited to see more men embracing emotional expression. There is a growing shift in culture where men are realizing that strength does not mean silence. This is changing how people talk about mental health, especially in communities where being vulnerable was once seen as weak. Social media platforms now feature honest conversations where men speak openly about healing, therapy, and growth. As someone who talks about these themes often, I believe this trend is part of a larger change. It is not just popular but also necessary, and permits more people to be honest.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Daily journaling helps me stay productive. It clears my mind, sharpens my focus, and connects me to what matters. Some days I write full pages. Other times, I only write a few bullet points. Either way, the practice keeps me centred. It allows me to process emotions and stay in touch with my goals. Journaling also helps fuel my creative work. The more I write, the clearer I become. That clarity shows up in how I speak to patients, share content, and stay consistent. It is a simple habit, but it makes a big difference.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell him that he does not have to earn rest. For years, I believed that being productive made me valuable. I ignored signs of burnout and pain because I thought I had to keep pushing. I would remind my younger self that asking for help is okay. I would tell him to speak up, take breaks, and be kind to himself. His story will one day help others, so he should not rush to be perfect. Growth takes time, and being human is more than enough.
Tell us something you believe that almost nobody agrees with you on?
Burnout is not only caused by overwork. It often comes from emotional disconnection. Some people take breaks and still feel drained. That is because their work does not reflect their values. Most people think burnout is fixed by more sleep or fewer tasks. But I have seen how reconnecting to purpose can bring real relief. Meaning and alignment matter just as much as time off. When your energy matches your purpose, you are less likely to feel empty. This idea challenges the usual advice, but I have lived its truth.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I always recommend creating before consuming. Many people start their day by scrolling through content. That habit drowns out your voice. I begin by expressing my thoughts through writing, a voice memo, or quiet reflection. This shapes how I show up throughout the day. When you create first, you step into the world with intention. You are less likely to compare or feel scattered. I do this every morning. It helps me stay present, clear, and grounded. It is a practice that anyone can do, making a significant impact.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I start by pausing everything. I turn off notifications and sit in a quiet space. I focus on my breath for a few minutes to reset. I name the emotion I am feeling, like stress or anxiety. Naming it helps take away its power. Then I ask myself what one small step I can take. Maybe I’ll go for a walk, drink water, or send a message to someone I trust. I no longer expect myself to fix everything at once. I just focus on the next right thing. That is how I find calm again.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Telling the truth through storytelling has been my strongest strategy. I do not try to market myself with perfect images or polished messages. Instead, I share honest stories about my struggles, healing, and growth. That honesty has built deep trust with my audience. People connect with stories that reflect their own pain and hope. My platform, Trust The Process, grew from those connections. Whether writing, recording, or speaking, I focus on being real. That approach has opened doors and led to collaborations. In a noisy world, being genuine helps you stand out.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Earlier in my career, I burned out but kept it to myself. I thought asking for help would make me look weak. I kept pushing until I felt numb and disconnected. Eventually, I broke down and realized I could not keep going alone. I started therapy and took time to reconnect with why I became a nurse. I learned that hiding pain only makes it heavier. Speaking up changed everything. That failure taught me the importance of vulnerability. I use that lesson to help others feel safe sharing their struggles.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
I would love to see someone create a simple mental health app that asks one question daily: “How do you feel right now?” It would offer a space to respond, reflect, and listen to brief voice notes from people sharing real experiences – no tracking, no pressure – just quiet support. Most wellness apps add more noise. This one would offer calm and connection. It could include optional journaling prompts and soothing visuals. It would remind people to check in with themselves without feeling judged. Healing tools should be soft, not overwhelming.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I use Notion to keep my thoughts and projects organized. It helps me manage content planning, track ideas, and reflect through writing. I have pages for blog drafts, podcast notes, and weekly to-do lists. I also use it for personal journaling and goal setting. Notion lets me keep everything in one place without feeling cluttered. It lets me stay focused even when juggling nursing shifts and creative work. It is flexible enough to meet both personal and professional needs. It helps me stay grounded and clear on what matters.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
One book that changed my perspective is The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk. It helped me understand how trauma lives in the body and not just in the mind. That knowledge shifted how I care for myself and my patients. On the podcast side, I often listen to Jay Shetty’s On Purpose. His guests talk about healing, mindset, and meaning in ways that stay with me. The book and the podcast give me tools for deeper reflection and more intentional living. They continue to shape how I show up.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I recently watched The Bear. It is about a chef dealing with loss and pressure while rebuilding his life and kitchen. What moved me most was how it showed silent pain and unspoken grief. It felt real, especially for people in high-stress roles who never feel like they can pause. The characters are raw and flawed, but also full of heart. Watching it reminded me of nursing, where intensity and compassion often collide. The show is messy but powerful, telling the truth about how we carry what we do not say.
Key learnings
- Daily practices like journaling and mindful check-ins help build lasting focus and resilience.
- Authentic storytelling fosters genuine trust and creates profound community impact.
- Burnout often comes from emotional disconnection, not just physical exhaustion.
- Healing begins with vulnerability, especially when shared with purpose.
- Simple, human-centred tools can support mental wellness without overwhelming users.