Emilia Clarke recently opened up about her struggle with returning to work after suffering two brain injuries while filming Game of Thrones. In an exclusive interview with The Big Issue, she shared her fear of being fired because her brain injury changed her sense of self and caused insecurity about her abilities.

Clarke’s brain hemorrhages occurred between seasons of the show, leading to concerns about her ability to continue working. Despite the challenges she faced, she returned to work shortly after her first brain injury, where she had to deal with the stress and pressure of being on set. She candidly expressed her thoughts about possible death from a new brain hemorrhage in front of cameras and the public.

In response to her experiences, Clarke and her mother founded the charity SameYou in 2019 to support the mental health recovery of people with brain injuries. The charity is now working with Big Issue Recruit to help survivors and their loved ones find work with the help of specialist job coaches. Through SameYou, Clarke wants to combat the loneliness and lack of confidence that often accompany brain injuries.

During the interview, Clarke reflected on feeling alone and hopeless after her brain injury, and even considered asking medical staff to let her die. However, she has since thrived and considers her experiences a “superpower” to overcome challenges. She emphasized the importance of supporting others who may be going through similar challenges, and emphasized the need for mental health recovery and advocacy.

The full interview with Emilia Clarke can be found in the latest issue of The Big Issue, where she shares more details about her journey and the work of SameYou. Clarke’s story serves as inspiration for people who face adversity and want to rebuild their lives after traumatic experiences. Her resilience and determination to create positive change in the lives of others demonstrate the power of overcoming challenges and finding strength in vulnerability.