There’s Always a Way Out: Mark Schmidt’s Story of Recovery and Redemption

In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Mark Schmidt, Managing Director at EveryMatrix and a seasoned iGaming professional with over 17 years of industry experience.

Mark shares his extraordinary journey from rising through the ranks in sports betting and gaming, to battling addiction, depression, and suicidal thoughts—and ultimately rebuilding his life and career.

The conversation explores the pressures of leadership in iGaming, the dangers of burnout and imposter syndrome, the stigma around mental health in male-dominated environments, and the importance of vulnerability, boundaries, and support systems.

Mark offers raw honesty and empowering insights for anyone facing personal challenges while navigating high-performance careers.

Guest Bio

16 Year career in iGaming focusing exclusively on Africa. Mark has worked for the industry's leading B2B providers in senior roles with the likes of Sportradar and IMG.

His career started off in B2C as the head of trading for Hollywood Bets where his love of horse racing began.

He’s a dad to three girls and has been married for ten years to his amazing wife Derryn.

He’s currently with EveryMartrix and is the Managing Director - Africa.

Key Topics Discussed

00:00 - Introduction
02:50 - Mark’s early career at Hollywood Bets
07:09 - Struggles with mental health and alcohol in high-pressure roles
09:03 - Suicidal ideation and coming out of rock bottom
14:35 - Feeling alone and imposter syndrome
18:49 - Dealing with social expectations in gaming
21:40 - Building a peer support network for others in the industry
25:59 - Generational shifts, asking for help, and creating change before it’s too late
28:44 - Just get help
33:15 - Advice for Gaming Leaders who feel the same way

Memorable Quotes

"Although I was there in body, I wasn’t there in mind."
"The world’s changed a hell of a lot. There are so many different ways that you can get help now."
"If I was able to get to a better point, anyone can do it."
"Just get help. Even if it’s a friend. Don’t try to solve it in your own head."

Important Links

Connect with Mark Schmidt:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-schmidt-aa27398b/
Follow Leo Judkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-judkins/
Subscribe to the iGaming Leader newsletter: https://www.igamingleader.com/signup
Join the iGaming Leader Mastermind: https://www.igamingleader.com/