On episode 45 of A Chat with Uma, I sit down with Scott Kelsey—mental health advocate, former pro-hockey player, fellow One Mind Lived Experience Council member, and founder + CEO of Shareapy, a platform dedicated to transforming mental health support through peer-driven connections. Scott opens up about his decades-long journey with anxiety & depression, unfolding during & after his five-season run in professional hockey during a time when “mental health” wasn’t spoken of. From mislabeling early symptoms as “just post-concussion stuff” to confronting depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and substance use, he shares what it took to finally acknowledge his mental health and start healing.

A near-fatal brain injury in 2018 became the turning point that sparked sobriety, therapy, and ultimately, the creation of Shareapy—born from a realization that we all need easier, safer ways to feel truly seen, heard, and supported. What started as a simple experiment in peer connection is now a global community breaking stigma around mental health and wellness. This episode shares Scott’s profound story of transforming the pain of suffering in silence into a purpose rooted in vulnerability, connection, & helping others share their authentic selves.

Scott Kelsey is the Founder & CEO of Shareapy. With over 20 years of leadership experience in the financial and mortgage sectors, he has a strong track record of driving innovation and growth. He is also a passionate advocate for reducing the stigma surrounding mental health. He has served on several nonprofit boards and is actively involved in mentoring emerging leaders. He’s a dedicated volunteer and often participates in initiatives aimed at improving community well-being.

Topics Discussed (+ Timestamps):

(00:00:00 ) Introduction & welcome to Scott Kelsey!

(00:05:26 ) Early childhood: Gratitude, reflections, & growing up in the 70's with no mental health awareness

(00:13:28 ) Finding hockey: following his inspiration in his big brother & progressing into college hockey

(00:19:00 ) Signing pro hockey contracts, frequent transitions, & navigating his 5 season career

(00:25:26 ) 1995 neuro-psych eval: mislabeling concussion symptoms vs. clinical anxiety & depression

(00:33:14 ) Coping with booze, locker-room culture & “taking the edge off”

(00:43:00 ) First full-blown panic attack, ER visit, pericarditis—and finally trying medication

(00:52:30 ) Mortgage-industry rise, marriage, kids…and the slow burn of unmanaged mental load

(01:02:00 ) April 7 2018: falling down the basement stairs, three brain hemorrhages & a second chance at life

(01:10:00 ) A complete transformation: Immersing himself in therapy, sobriety, & peer support

(01:18:00 ) “Why isn’t there an easier way to do this?” The founding origin story of Shareapy

(01:22:00 ) Scaling Shareapy worldwide: the reality of founding a company, training facilitators, specialized affinity groups, & Men’s Mental Health

Connect with Scott!

• ⁠Check out Shareapy today!
• Instagram: @SKelsey18, ⁠@Shareapy

• LinkedIn: Scott Kelsey, Shareapy
• Email: ⁠scott@shareapy.com

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