Men's Mental Health Series

Men are often comfortable fixing things we can see. We can clean up a mess, repair something that is broken, finish a project, and stand back afterward knowing exactly what we accomplished.Emotional work is different.In this episode of The Men's Mental Health Series, my buddy Nick joins me for a conversation that starts with a simple analogy. While doing a dirty, uncomfortable job at work that he had been putting off, Nick realized how similar it felt to some of the emotional work we avoid. We may know something needs our attention, but when we cannot see the problem or measure the progress in front of us, figuring out where to begin can be much harder.From there, we get into what happens when men who are used to being the person everyone else relies on suddenly do not know how to fix what is happening inside themselves.We talk about the feeling of failure that can come with needing help, how difficult it can be to find the right words for an emotion, and why anger can sometimes become the easiest outward expression for feelings like fear, sadness, frustration, grief, anxiety, or overwhelm.Nick shares how conversations with his wife, friends, and other men have helped him better understand what he is feeling. We also talk about how emotional conversations between men do not have to completely change the dynamic of a friendship. Sometimes it is ten minutes of openness in the middle of an entire weekend of joking around, camping, and being yourself.That small conversation can still matter.One of the biggest ideas we come back to is that opening up did not leave Nick feeling like less of a man. The fear that it might happen was often stronger than what actually happened once the conversation began.We also discuss the importance of emotional safety, having people around you who can listen while you work through something without expecting you to explain it perfectly, and recognizing when a relationship may not provide that kind of space.Finally, Nick shares what he has seen within the Australian construction industry, where mental health initiatives and recognizable work shirts can signal that someone is willing to have a conversation. It is a small visual cue, but it can help create an opening for conversations that many men still struggle to start.None of us completely figure this out.We keep learning the language. We keep practicing the conversations. We keep getting a little more comfortable sitting with emotions that we may have spent most of our lives avoiding.And sometimes simply knowing that another guy is willing to listen is where it starts.Mental Health SupportIf you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis in the United States, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If there is an immediate life-threatening emergency, call 911.In Australia, Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 13 11 14. If there is an immediate emergency, call 000.If you are elsewhere, contact your local emergency services or a crisis support service in your country.

What if emotional softness is actually part of what makes us strong?In this episode of The Almost Daily Podcast and the Men’s Mental Health Series, I talk about the relationship between vulnerability, emotional awareness, and the version of strength many of us were taught to value.For a lot of men, the message was pretty straightforward.Be tough.Handle it.Do not show too much emotion.Keep moving.The problem is that having emotions was never optional. We were still feeling everything. A lot of us simply were not taught what to do with those feelings once they showed up.I talk about why being connected to your emotions can actually help you handle pressure, why a productive relationship with a therapist can provide tools you can use outside of therapy, and why vulnerability does not take anything away from focus, consistency, resilience, or follow through.In many ways, I think the softer parts help hold the stronger parts together.I also talk about why this can take time. If someone has spent decades suppressing emotions or tying their identity to being the strong one, opening up can challenge the way they see themselves.That deserves patience.At the same time, struggling to process emotions never removes our responsibility for how we treat other people. We can give ourselves compassion while still taking responsibility for our actions and responses.And although I spend a lot of time talking specifically with men about this, the larger message applies to everybody.Human beings have emotions.We need room to feel them, understand them, work through them, express them constructively, and sometimes let them go.If you are in the United States and experiencing a mental health, suicide, or substance use crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can also chat through the 988 Lifeline online. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

What happens when you grow up never really learning what love is supposed to feel like?Jeremy joins me again for The Men’s Mental Health Series, and this conversation starts with something a lot of men experience but may struggle to put into words, emptiness.Jeremy talks openly about growing up in a broken home, not feeling loved as a kid, and spending years trying to fill that void through alcohol, drugs, food, and other escapes. Eventually, he realized that none of those things could actually give him what he was looking for.That led us into a much bigger conversation about self love, discipline, vulnerability, fatherhood, relationships, and the kind of man he wants to be today.We talk about what love actually looks like in everyday life. For Jeremy, it can be waking his boys up for school, making breakfast, encouraging them, spending time together, or hearing that his partner is proud of him. It is not necessarily one huge emotional moment. It is something that gets built through the way we consistently show up for the people we care about.We also get into something I think a lot of men from our generation can relate to, the difference between tough love and actually feeling loved.You can appreciate lessons that came through toughness while still recognizing that you needed softness too. You needed the hug. You needed someone to tell you they were proud of you. You needed opportunities to talk about how something made you feel.And you may still need those things now.Jeremy also shares how discipline has helped him develop a better relationship with himself. His running, training, family responsibilities, and the promises he keeps to himself have become ways of building self respect rather than simply escaping what he feels.But underneath all of that discipline is something softer.Honesty. Vulnerability. Connection. Love.We talk about being honest about the character you are when nobody else is around, allowing different versions of yourself to show up authentically in different parts of your life, and recognizing that every day gives you another opportunity to decide how you want to show up.For the man who feels empty right now, this conversation is a reminder that you do not have to solve your entire life today.Start by doing something you can genuinely be proud of.Then keep building.Connect with Jeremy on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremygrap22If You Need Immediate SupportIf you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency services.In the United States, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.If you are outside the United States, contact your local emergency services or a crisis support service in your country.

Every man has a story. Some stories stay hidden for years.In this episode of The Men's Mental Health Series, I sit down with Jeremy for one of our deepest conversations yet. Jeremy shares his journey through childhood trauma, addiction, recovery, forgiveness, self worth, and the daily discipline that has completely changed the direction of his life.What makes this conversation so powerful is its honesty. We talk about the emotional roots behind addiction, why so many men suppress what they're feeling, how anger often masks deeper pain, and why learning to love yourself is one of the hardest, but most important, things any of us can do.Jeremy also explains how replacing destructive habits with purposeful ones, including running, fitness, and serving others, helped him build a completely different life. Throughout the episode, we explore what it means to take ownership of your story without allowing your past to define your future.If you've ever struggled with anxiety, addiction, self doubt, shame, or simply wondered whether life can look different than it does today, this conversation is for you.In this episode we discuss• Jeremy's childhood and the lasting impact of family trauma• Why addiction often begins as an attempt to quiet emotional pain• Replacing destructive habits with healthy purpose• The connection between fitness and mental health• Forgiving yourself and letting go of your past• Why men struggle to express emotions• Understanding anger as a symptom, not the root cause• Learning to build self love one day at a time• The power of helping others during your own healing journey• Why hope often begins with one small decisionConnect with JeremyFollow Jeremy on TikTok for more conversations about mental health, resilience, and personal growth:https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremygrap22Mental Health ResourcesIf you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, please know that you are not alone. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.If you are experiencing emotional distress or are in crisis, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the United States and Canada. Trained counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide free and confidential support.If you believe you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency services right away.No matter how difficult today feels, help is available, and there are people who care. You do not have to face it alone.

What does discipline actually look like in real life?In this conversation, Jeremy shares how sobriety, purpose, and consistent daily action have completely transformed the way he approaches fitness and life. From running a single mile to completing a full marathon on a treadmill and consistently logging more than 50 miles each week, he explains why discipline isn't about motivation. It's about keeping the promises you make to yourself.We also discuss why most people place limits on themselves long before they reach their true potential, how to gradually push beyond your comfort zone, and why building confidence comes from repeatedly following through on your commitments.Whether you're working toward a fitness goal, building a business, pursuing personal growth, or simply trying to become more consistent, this conversation is a reminder that meaningful progress comes from showing up, taking action, and believing you're capable of more than you think.In this episode, we discuss:• What discipline really means beyond motivation• Why keeping promises to yourself builds lasting confidence• Going from one mile to marathon distance through consistent progression• Using fitness to strengthen your mindset for every area of life• Why purpose naturally creates discipline• The role sobriety played in creating long term change• How to stop comparing yourself to others and focus on your own progressConnect with Jeremy on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremygrap22