Zak Sylvester

Zak is dedicated to helping young men have honest conversations about life, purpose and belonging. His work draws on a background in psychology, elite sport and filmmaking, areas that have shaped his belief that stories can heal, guide and inspire connection. As he pursues a chartership in psychology, Zak is looking to connect institutions, funders and communities to help tackle the crisis facing young men today. As the eldest of four siblings, Zak has always cared deeply about offering the best guidance possible to those who look up to him. He has been fortunate to have incredible role models in his own life, and believes strongly that prevention is better than cure, using positive stories and lived examples to inspire young men to make good choices. • Founder of Beyond The Cage – building a national platform that connects male role models with schools, councils, and funders. Featured projects include, Fighting Chance Fridays - a partnership with Morecambe FC Community Foundation & Shay Walsh MMA to reduce anti-social behaviour and build youth resilience. • Director & Producer of Social Impact Films – including A Journey to Greatness, the acclaimed documentary on MMA World Champion Shay Walsh, now used as a resource in schools and youth programmes. • Background in Elite Sport – Zak has worked directly with professional athletes, coaches, and sports organisations, shaping projects around resilience, purpose, and identity. He is a black-belt martial artist in kick-boxing and the founder of EA5 Guided Audios for Athletes - giving athletes a safe space to relax, reflect, and recover. • Consultant & Facilitator – experienced in advising institutions, athletes, and community organisations on brand, culture, and career transition, with a focus on helping young men find belonging and direction. Zak delivers keynote addresses and school talks. • Advocate for Wellbeing – Zak graduated in Psychology from the University of Birmingham and focuses on aligning BTC with academic research (British Psychological Society Male Psychology Section) and grassroots initiatives, ensuring programmes are evidence-led and community-rooted.