Our story
The story behind NSTAN
A story of survival, endurance and turning silent battles into a movement.
32 years navigating severe mental health challenges, quietly fighting internal battles that nobody else could see—including three hospitalisations totalling nearly six months of my life. Through those decades of darkness, struggle and healing, I constantly chased a mirage called “normal”—believing that if I could just work out how to be like everyone else, somehow the pain would stop.
But the truest test of my survival didn’t just happen inside my own mind. It happened in my life.
When my wife and I separated eleven years ago, I was completely cut off from my three children. Since that day, I haven’t been able to see them, hold them or hear their voices.
Eleven years of silence.
Eleven years without my family.
In a society that constantly pushes the picture-perfect image of a “normal” family, a “normal” life and a “normal” mind, I was left carrying an unimaginable and silent grief.
For a long time, the weight of my struggles and the profound loss of my broken family made me feel as though I had failed at life.
But 32 years of fighting—and 11 years of surviving the profound absence of my children—teaches you something about resilience.
I finally realised that trying to live up to an artificial expectation of “normal” is a dangerous trap.
It is an impossible standard that can make people feel as though they have to hide their scars, mask their grief and suffer in silence.
The turning point
I realised that my story isn’t a failure.
It is a story of endurance.
And I decided I was done hiding in the shadows.
I wanted to take the heaviest pieces of my life and turn them into something tangible—something that could help others feel less alone.
That is how No Such Thing As Normal—NSTAN—was born.
My NSTAN Story
David Stark — Founder
Every story shared with NSTAN comes back as a personalised digital story card — mine included. This is my story, returned to me. Healing isn't a straight line, and my story isn't over.
Share yours, and once it has been reviewed you will receive your own card to save or share. Different stories. Same message.
Share your story
More than clothing
A badge of honour
NSTAN isn’t just clothing. It is a statement. A badge of honour for survivors. For people fighting quiet battles. For parents carrying silent grief. For anyone who has ever felt isolated, different or like they simply didn’t fit the mould.
Because the truth is, none of us are “normal”.
We are all carrying something.
When you wear NSTAN, you aren’t just wearing a piece of clothing. You are starting a conversation.
You are wearing a reminder that you can be hurting, you can be grieving, you can feel broken—and you can still be standing.
So let’s wear it. Share it. Together.
You don’t have to fit the mould.
You don’t have to pretend everything is OK.
You just have to be you.
There’s no such thing as NORMAL
Share your story#nstan_org #nosuchthingasnormal