Fort Worth Advocate Calls for Quiet Walking to Improve Mental Health

Bryan Scott McMillan shares how walking without headphones can boost clarity, presence, and emotional wellbeing.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Bryan Scott McMillan, a retired medical device executive and advocate for emotional health and grief support, is urging people to adopt the simple habit of walking without headphones. Drawing from personal experience and years of supporting families in crisis, McMillan highlights how quiet walking can improve mental clarity, emotional regulation, and overall wellbeing.

Why it matters

Research shows that walking provides mental and emotional health benefits, and these benefits are often amplified when done without added noise or stimulation. Constant stimulation can keep the brain in a heightened state of alert, while quiet movement allows the mind to slow down and process thoughts more naturally. This is especially important for people dealing with grief, anxiety, or high-pressure responsibilities.

The details

McMillan began using quiet walks as a way to reset before caring for his children and supporting others through grief after losing his wife to cancer. Over time, the habit became part of his daily rhythm, and he now often recommends the practice to families he supports, leaders navigating pressure, and anyone feeling overwhelmed. Rather than pushing programs or campaigns, McMillan encourages individuals to take ownership of their own wellbeing through small, consistent actions like taking one short walk each week without headphones, leaving the phone at home, and using the time to think or simply breathe.

  • After losing his wife to cancer, McMillan began using quiet walks as a way to reset.

The players

Bryan Scott McMillan

A retired medical device executive and long-time advocate for emotional health and grief support.

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What they’re saying

“Some of my best thinking has happened on short, quiet walks. No music. No podcasts. Just movement and space to think. That habit carried me through leadership decisions and some of the hardest personal moments of my life.”

— Bryan Scott McMillan (worldsharemarketlive.com)

“Silence isn't empty. It gives your brain room to organise what you've been carrying. That's especially important for people dealing with grief or long-term stress.”

— Bryan Scott McMillan (worldsharemarketlive.com)

“I realised I couldn't show up well for others if my mind was constantly full. Walking without headphones helped me slow down enough to listen — to myself and to other people.”

— Bryan Scott McMillan (worldsharemarketlive.com)

“You don't need an hour. Ten quiet minutes can change the tone of an entire day.”

— Bryan Scott McMillan (worldsharemarketlive.com)

“We underestimate how much clarity comes from slowing down. Sometimes the most helpful thing you can do is step outside and listen to nothing at all.”

— Bryan Scott McMillan (worldsharemarketlive.com)

The takeaway

This story highlights the power of a simple daily habit - walking without headphones - to improve mental clarity, emotional regulation, and overall wellbeing. In an increasingly noisy and stimulating world, quiet walking offers an accessible way for individuals to take ownership of their mental health and find greater presence and clarity.