Automotive industry charity, Ben, today reveals that a former car valuer turned performance poet, John Cassidy from Nottingham, has released his debut book of automotive-inspired poetry, parody and satire, following a transformative coaching journey.
John, a talented writer and performer who is also neurodivergent, walked away from a dealership career in late 2024 after recognising his heart was no longer in it. Feeling increasingly detached and overwhelmed, he reached out to Ben for coaching at a pivotal moment in his life.
Now known as The Car Showroom Poet, John’s new book marks a remarkable personal and professional rebirth, enabled by Ben’s tailored support. Through six coaching sessions, he gained the structure, belief and clarity needed to bring his creative ambitions to life. He was then able to break down overwhelming goals into manageable steps, completing a book manuscript and also prepared his one‑man show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2025.
The book, now on sale through Amazon, blends reflective memoir, poetry, parody, satire and the lived experience of working in the automotive industry.
John said: “Reaching out to Ben felt like someone finally saw me and understood that my journey, although unconventional, was valid. Coaching helped me break my ambitions of writing a book into bite‑sized steps, turning inner chaos into real progress.
“By the time we finished my final coaching session, I held a completed manuscript in my hands, ready for publishing. The process helped me refine my writing and helped me believe in myself – that I am a writer. My book is truly unique and will appeal to car and poetry enthusiasts, but it also straddles memoir, songwriting, media and comedy. I would recommend Ben’s coaching to anyone in the industry who feels stuck in their personal or professional lives – it truly changed my life.”
To read and watch John’s full story, visit www.ben.org.uk/johncstory.
Ben’s free and confidential coaching service is open to anyone who works or has worked in the UK automotive industry. For more information, visit www.ben.org.uk/lifecoaching.
To purchase your copy of The Car Showroom Poet book, visit: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1806233428
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Note to editors:
About Ben:
Ben is the charity dedicated to supporting the people of the automotive industry, providing health and wellbeing support for life for them and their family dependents. Ben delivers life-changing and often lifesaving support for those who are struggling or in crisis.
Ben supports individuals to navigate through life’s challenges, empowering them to make positive, lasting change. Ben works with people to improve their lives by enhancing their health and wellbeing through its free and confidential online and digital self-help, through its helpline, support and specialist services.
Ben’s support empowers automotive people to better manage their health and wellbeing, helping them to think well, feel well, live well and, in turn, work well. Ben’s provides tailored support, relevant to the needs of each individual, based on a wide range of support options available and addresses every aspect of a person’s life. For more information about Ben, visit www.ben.org.uk.
For further information, please contact:
Leila Moss-Kelly
Communications Lead, Ben
leila.moss-kelly@ben.org.uk
Direct dial: 01344 298 126
