Raw Minds

How does a man rebuild after war, homelessness, PTSD, and losing his sense of identity?In this powerful episode of Raw Minds, Erick sits down with Sean Martin, an Iraq veteran and the force behind The Quarantined, for a raw conversation about PTSD, survival, emotional healing, veteran mental health, music healing, and rebuilding life after rock bottom.Sean opens up about serving in Iraq, coming home with trauma he did not fully understand, hitting a breaking point, entering PTSD treatment, and learning how to rebuild through self awareness, therapy, mindfulness, self acceptance, and music.This conversation goes deep into war trauma, emotional health, trauma recovery, inner strength, self care, anger, shame, identity collapse, forgiveness, and what it takes for a man to find mental clarity after chaos.Through The Quarantined, Sean turns pain into sound. His music carries rage, grief, confrontation, forgiveness, and survival. Songs like Nemesis and the album Aversion to Normalcy are built from lived experience, war trauma, and the fight to keep going.This episode is about PTSD recovery.It is about veteran mental health.It is about music as survival.It is about rebuilding after rock bottom.It is about turning pain into purpose.If you are a man carrying PTSD, grief, trauma, shame, anger, or pain you never talk about, this episode is for you.Guest:Sean MartinLead singer, guitarist, songwriter, producer, and creative force behind The QuarantinedSean Martin and The Quarantined Links:Official Website: https://www.thequarantined.comMusic Page: https://thequarantined.com/musicBio: https://thequarantined.com/bioBandcamp: https://thequarantined.bandcamp.comSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5mBHj43S2kBEJxxfwHrOStYouTube: https://youtube.com/@thequarantinedInstagram: www.instagram.com/thequarantinedTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@thequarantineFacebook: www.facebook.com/TheQuarantinedLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sean-martin-42912361Featured Music:Aversion to Normalcy: Available on major streaming platformsNemesis Friend of Mine: https://open.spotify.com/track/00mvcDnIY7RJoDj27OaAiX?si=354582b24fc44082Raw Minds Podcast:Raw conversations about men’s mental health, trauma, addiction, grief, fatherhood, healing, recovery, discipline, and personal growth.Follow Raw Minds:YouTube: https://youtube.com/@rawminds-cs3ci?si=GyaUB-JNhmxF-tv1Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3I7hBJgYDdS8UQpbMl9bdtInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rawmindspodcast?igsh=MXI2cmh3cmUzcHNuMQ==TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rawmindspodcast?_t=8rM6xvJfjKZ&_r=1Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CRWJaV5qh/Website: https://www.rawminds.caEmail: [email protected]:00:00 Intro02:18 Sean Martin joins Raw Minds02:32 Where to find The Quarantined03:16 Sean’s merch and streetwear brand04:48 Aversion to Normalcy05:16 Bandcamp and unreleased music07:03 Who Sean was before the music09:06 Joining the military10:23 The body remembers stress12:09 Trauma, anger, and what men carry14:28 Finding your internal guiding light17:35 Critical thinking and mental health18:24 PTSD and deep sadness22:07 How trauma creates conditioning24:47 Shame after trauma26:47 Sean’s PTSD moment after Iraq29:32 Facing bias and accountability31:04 Mental health as redirection33:23 Forgiveness and self acceptance37:18 VA hospital and PTSD treatment39:18 Cognitive behavioral therapy40:19 Learning how to think51:30 How music became the message52:03 The sound of The Quarantined01:10:18 Why mental health conversations matter01:11:47 Perspective and gratitude01:13:47 Final thoughtsMental Health Support:If you are struggling or feel like you might hurt yourself, call or text 988 in Canada or the United States for immediate mental health crisis support. You are not alone.Subscribe to Raw Minds for more real conversations that cut through the fake stuff and get into what people actually carry.

How many men wait until something is seriously wrong before they finally get checked?

In this Raw Minds Podcast episode, Erick sits down with Dr. Eliot Siegel, one of the pioneers of digital radiology, AI in medical imaging, and precision cancer care.

Dr. Siegel is a founding physician at United Theranostics and has spent his career helping medicine move into the future. From helping build the first filmless radiology department in the United States to working with AI, PET scans, cancer imaging, nuclear medicine, and theranostics, his work is changing how doctors see disease and treat patients.

This episode breaks down cancer treatment in a way normal people can understand.

Dr. Siegel explains theranostics, a growing field that combines therapy and diagnostics. In simple words, it helps doctors see cancer cells in the body and then target treatment toward those cells. Erick compares it to Google Maps for cancer, and that is one of the easiest ways to understand it. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

They also talk about AI in medicine, prostate cancer, early detection, PSA testing, men’s health, Alzheimer’s imaging, epilepsy, PET scans, personalized treatment, and why the future of healthcare may look completely different than what most people know today.

But this episode is not only about technology.

It is about people.

Behind every scan is a human being.

Behind every diagnosis is a family.

Behind every treatment is someone fighting for more time, more hope, and more life.

This episode also hits the mental health side of medicine. Erick asks Dr. Siegel what it feels like to carry the weight of hard conversations with cancer patients, and Dr. Siegel opens up about the toll that work can take on doctors too.

For men listening, the message is simple.

Stop waiting.

Stop ignoring symptoms.

Stop acting tough when your health is on the line.

Book the appointment.

Ask the question.

Get checked.

Be your own advocate.

Dr. Eliot Siegel is a founding physician at United Theranostics, a pioneer in digital radiology, and a leader in AI medical imaging, radiology, nuclear medicine, and precision oncology. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Guest:

Dr. Eliot Siegel

United Theranostics

https://www.unitedtheranostics.com

Raw Minds is a men’s mental health podcast built around real conversations about pain, trauma, addiction, grief, fatherhood, discipline, healing, recovery, and the battles people carry in silence.

If this episode helped you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Mental Health Support:

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, addiction, or suicidal thoughts, reach out.

Canada Crisis Line:

Call or text 988

You are not alone.

Raw Minds Links:

YouTube:

https://youtube.com/@rawminds-cs3ci?si=GyaUB-JNhmxF-tv1

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/3I7hBJgYDdS8UQpbMl9bdt

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/rawmindspodcast?igsh=MXI2cmh3cmUzcHNuMQ==

TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@rawmindspodcast?_t=8rM6xvJfjKZ&_r=1

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CRWJaV5qh/

Website:

https://www.rawminds.ca

Email:

[email protected]

Men’s mental health

Addiction recovery

Faith and discipline

Childhood trauma

Fatherhood

Self trust

Brotherhood

Emotional resilience

Men suffering in silence

Personal growth

How many men are breaking inside while pretending they are fine?

In this Raw Minds Podcast episode, Erick sits down with Chris Avery, a faith first performance coach, father, husband, and man who has lived through pain most men never talk about.

Chris opens up about childhood trauma, shame, addiction, recovery, self doubt, faith, fatherhood, and the pressure men carry when they feel like they have to stay strong for everyone else.

This conversation gets real fast.

Chris talks about spending years running from pain, using drugs and alcohol to numb what he did not know how to face, and the moment he realized he could not keep living that way anymore.

But this episode is not just about rock bottom.

It is about what comes after.

It is about rebuilding self trust.

It is about honest conversations.

It is about asking for help.

It is about becoming a man of your word.

It is about brotherhood.

It is about responsibility.

It is about showing up when the old version of you wants to quit.

Chris has coached over 1,000 men through isolation, overwhelm, pressure, identity struggles, and the silent battles they carry. His work is built around faith, emotional resilience, discipline, self trust, and helping men stop letting fear and limiting beliefs control their lives.

He also shares his mission for 2027, running 50K every day around the perimeter of the United States with his family beside him.

That is not normal.

That is mission.

This episode is for the fathers, husbands, entrepreneurs, men in recovery, men rebuilding after trauma, and the men who smile in public while falling apart in private.

For men watching this, the message is simple.

Stop hiding.

Stop pretending.

Stop carrying it alone.

Say less.

Do more.

Tell the truth.

Ask for help.

Build trust with yourself again.

This episode could be the conversation a man needs before he gives up on himself.

GUEST INFO

Chris Avery

Faith first performance coach

Founder of Chris Avery Coaching

Creator of Chris Runs America

Chris Avery Coaching

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/chris.avery.9083/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/chrisaverycoaching/

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-avery-coaching/

Chris Runs America

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/chrisrunsamerica?igsh=MWpxZTF0eWxweXBnNg==

Website:

https://chrisrunsamerica.com

RAW MINDS PODCAST

Raw Minds is a men’s mental health podcast built around real conversations about pain, trauma, addiction, grief, fatherhood, discipline, healing, recovery, and the battles people carry in silence.

If this episode helped you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Subscribe to Raw Minds.

Leave a comment.

Follow the show.

Help us reach the people fighting battles nobody sees.

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, addiction, or suicidal thoughts, reach out.

Canada Crisis Line:

Call or text 988

You are not alone.

RAW MINDS LINKS

YouTube:

https://youtube.com/@rawminds-cs3ci?si=GyaUB-JNhmxF-tv1

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/3I7hBJgYDdS8UQpbMl9bdt

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/rawmindspodcast?igsh=MXI2cmh3cmUzcHNuMQ==

TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@rawmindspodcast?_t=8rM6xvJfjKZ&_r=1

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CRWJaV5qh/

Website:

https://www.rawminds.ca

Email:

[email protected]

men’s mental health, men suffering in silence, brotherhood for men, shame, fatherhood, healing, masculinity, loneliness, emotional growth, personal transformation, Raw Minds Podcast

Why do so many men suffer in silence until everything falls apart?

In this Raw Minds Podcast episode, Erick sits down with Jonathan Tarrant for a raw conversation about men’s mental health, shame, emotional isolation, fatherhood, relationships, masculinity, brotherhood, and what happens when a man finally stops pretending he is okay.

Jonathan shares how he lost almost everything while trying to carry the weight of life alone. His marriage, his connection with his kids, his home, his peace, and nearly himself. Like many men, he buried his pain, wore a mask, stayed quiet, and tried to hold everything together while breaking behind closed doors.

This conversation goes deep into why men stay silent, why shame keeps men stuck, how emotional isolation destroys relationships, and why brotherhood can become a lifeline for men who feel alone.

Jonathan also talks about Together Men Rise, Brothers and Kings, and Sterling Matchmakers. His work helps men reconnect with themselves, build real support, develop healthy masculinity, and create stronger relationships.

This episode is for any man who has ever felt alone, disconnected, ashamed, angry, lost, or tired of carrying everything by himself.

Raw Minds is here for the men fighting battles nobody sees.

If this episode hits home, like the video, comment below, subscribe to Raw Minds, and share this with someone who needs to hear it.

Guest:

Jonathan Tarrant

Jonathan’s Links:

Brothers and Kings:

https://brothersandkings.com

Sterling Matchmakers:

https://sterlingmatchmakers.com

Podcast:

The Path of Self Discovery with Jonathan Tarrant

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

02:23 Welcome Jonathan Tarrant

02:37 Jonathan’s work and platforms

04:02 Where Jonathan’s story began

05:51 Learning to internalize pain

07:47 Avoiding responsibility and self destruction

09:19 Burying pain and emotional pressure

10:55 Explosive rage and learning triggers

12:23 Shame, self judgment, and unhappiness

14:21 The body feels what the mind repeats

16:19 What pushed Jonathan to get help

16:45 Counseling and investing in himself

19:41 Why pain can feel familiar

22:58 The shame that keeps men stuck

26:17 Erick shares The Legacy Method

27:36 Brothers and Kings explained

30:14 What a real men’s group should feel like

33:04 Featured brothers and support inside the community

34:19 Together Men Rise

36:36 Sterling Matchmakers

39:01 Why your relationship with yourself matters most

42:01 Watching men open up

45:44 Unpacking the invisible backpack

46:50 Where to find Jonathan

47:43 Final message

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, addiction, or suicidal thoughts, reach out.

Canada Crisis Line:

Call or text 988

You are not alone.

Follow Raw Minds Podcast:

YouTube:

https://youtube.com/@rawminds-cs3ci?si=GyaUB-JNhmxF-tv1

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/3I7hBJgYDdS8UQpbMl9bdt

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/rawmindspodcast?igsh=MXI2cmh3cmUzcHNuMQ==

TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@rawmindspodcast?_t=8rM6xvJfjKZ&_r=1

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CRWJaV5qh/

Website:

https://www.rawminds.ca

Email:

[email protected]

Have you ever felt like your body is stuck in survival mode?In this Raw Minds Podcast episode, Erick sits down with Brooke Edwards for a deep conversation about PTSD, trauma recovery, nervous system healing, chronic stress, burnout, grief, resilience, and men’s mental health.Brooke Edwards spent over 30 years guiding people through extreme wilderness environments in Alaska, Japan, Antarctica, West Africa, and remote mountain terrain. She has faced grizzly bears, avalanches, helicopters, river crossings, extreme weather, death, grief, pressure, and life or death decisions.But her biggest battle was not outside in the wilderness.It was inside her nervous system.Brooke is a wilderness guide, nervous system specialist, somatic practitioner, resiliency coach, poet, and founder of Wild World Wandering. In this episode, she explains how chronic stress and trauma can build inside the body over time until a person starts living in fight or flight, freeze response, or fawn response without even realizing it.This conversation breaks down what nervous system injury really means, why PTSD does not always come from one major event, how burnout slowly changes the body, and why so many people carry invisible pain that nobody else can see.Erick and Brooke also talk about grief, emotional suppression, men’s mental health, intergenerational trauma, somatic healing, trauma recovery, resilience, and what it takes to rebuild your life after carrying too much for too long.Brooke shares how losing friends, surviving high pressure environments, donating a kidney, and rebuilding her life helped her move from guiding people through the external wilderness to guiding people through the internal wilderness.This episode is for anyone who feels overwhelmed, numb, anxious, burned out, grieving, stuck, or tired of pretending they are okay.This is not fake motivation.This is not “just push through it.”This is a real conversation about what happens when your body has been in survival mode for too long.GuestBrooke EdwardsWild World WanderingWebsite: https://www.wildworldwandering.comFacebook: Brooke Shiny EdwardsInstagram: Wild World WanderingsLinkedIn: Brooke EdwardsSubstack: Shiny BrookieChapters00:00 Intro03:30 Brooke’s links and background04:37 Who is Brooke Edwards?06:30 Grief, death, and culture09:31 Life as a wilderness guide12:08 Technical issues12:44 Life and death decisions in the wilderness14:35 Chronic stress load16:01 PTSD and nervous system injury16:57 How the nervous system reacts to danger20:42 Why your brain scans for danger21:51 Fight, flight, freeze, and fawn24:41 Getting stuck in survival mode26:33 Coping, addiction, and burnout27:53 Erick’s PTSD story30:36 Corrective healing experiences32:29 Brooke’s heli skiing career33:37 The crash that changed everything35:40 Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers37:38 Becoming a resiliency coach39:16 Lived experience and healing work42:30 Building Wild World Wandering45:00 Grief as love47:49 Men’s mental health and emotional honesty49:38 Pressure on men53:34 Shared humanity57:46 Breaking generational trauma59:54 Erick on grief, depression, and showing up63:18 The Legacy Method66:49 Brooke’s final links68:17 Final messageIf you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, addiction, or suicidal thoughts, reach out.Canada Crisis LineCall or text 988You are not alone.Check out The Legacy Methodhttps://thelegacymethod.comFollow Raw Minds PodcastYouTubehttps://youtube.com/@rawminds-cs3ci?si=GyaUB-JNhmxF-tv1Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3I7hBJgYDdS8UQpbMl9bdtInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/rawmindspodcast?igsh=MXI2cmh3cmUzcHNuMQ==TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@rawmindspodcast?_t=8rM6xvJfjKZ&_r=1Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1CRWJaV5qh/Contact Raw [email protected] this episode helped you, like, comment, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Men’s mental health

Autism awareness

Parent mental health

Single dads

Neurodivergent parenting

TikTok mental health lives

South Africa mental health

Raw Minds Podcast

Candice Ninja

Ninja Talks

What happens when a woman creates a space where men finally feel safe enough to open up?

In this Raw Minds Podcast episode, Erick sits down with Candice, also known as Ninja, from South Africa.

Candice is the voice behind Ninja Talks, a growing mental health and awareness movement built around real conversations, autism awareness, parenting, neurodivergence, and emotional support.

This conversation fits the heart of Raw Minds because Candice has created a space where men, fathers, parents, and people carrying silent pain can speak without being judged.

She talks about raising her son Denver, who is on the autism spectrum, navigating ADHD, sensory struggles, parenting pressure, depression, online hate, and the reality of trying to help others while still carrying your own battles.

Erick and Candice also talk about why men’s mental health matters, why many men stay quiet, what single dads go through, and how online communities can become a real support system when they are built with honesty and care.

This episode is for the men who do not know how to speak.

It is for the parents trying to hold everything together.

It is for anyone raising a neurodivergent child and feeling lost.

It is for the people who carry pressure quietly and still show up for others.

If this episode speaks to you, share it with someone who needs it. That is how we reach the people who struggle in silence.

Guest:

Candice “Ninja”

Founder of Ninja Talks

Mental health advocate

Autism awareness advocate

South Africa

Follow Ninja Talks:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ninjatalks/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninjatalkslive

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ninjatalkslive

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ninjatalks-live

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ninjatalkshost

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

01:51 Welcome Candice “Ninja”

02:23 Where to find Ninja

03:12 Who is Candice and how Ninja Talks started

04:44 Autism, sensory struggles, and early signs

06:44 Parenting, postpartum, and trauma

08:18 Men can struggle after birth too

10:41 Injury, surgery, depression, and isolation

13:34 Missing her son’s milestone

16:23 Starting Ninja Talks

18:16 Online hate and internet trolls

20:06 Why men’s mental health matters to Ninja

21:12 Erick opens up about being a single dad

23:21 How men started opening up in her lives

27:20 Building trust with vulnerable conversations

31:17 Chris and the Ninja Talks support team

35:50 Building a real TikTok community

39:13 Odie’s story and finding safe support

45:04 Erick shares a personal win for his daughter

48:17 Autism support in South Africa

51:45 Canada health care, waitlists, and support gaps

54:38 School systems and neurodivergent kids

57:20 Final thoughts and thank you

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, addiction, or suicidal thoughts, reach out.

Canada Crisis Line:

Call or text 988

You are not alone.

Follow Raw Minds Podcast:

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@rawminds-cs3ci?si=GyaUB-JNhmxF-tv1

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3I7hBJgYDdS8UQpbMl9bdt

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rawmindspodcast?_t=8rM6xvJfjKZ&_r=1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rawmindspodcast?igsh=MXI2cmh3cmUzcHNuMQ==

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CRWJaV5qh/

Contact Raw Minds:

[email protected]

Website:

www.rawminds.ca

Subscribe, comment, and share this episode with someone who needs a real conversation today.

men’s mental health, bullying trauma, childhood bullying, army bullying, male depression, alcohol recovery, rock bottom recovery, suicide prevention, survival story, Raw Minds Podcast

What happens when a man spends his whole life being mocked, bullied, broken down, and still finds a way to survive?

In this episode of Raw Minds Podcast, Erick sits down with Steve Beaumont, author of The Story of a Short Ginger Kid: Bullied to Near Extinction, for a raw conversation about bullying, trauma, the British Army, alcohol, self destruction, recovery, and the power of finally speaking out.

Steve grew up in Yorkshire as the short ginger kid who became an easy target. The bullying started young. The jokes, the names, the shame, the isolation. To survive, he became the joker. He laughed first so nobody could see what was really happening inside.

Running gave him an escape. The army gave him identity. But the pain followed him.

Steve talks about being bullied again while serving, losing his army career, falling into alcohol, hitting rock bottom, and slowly finding his way back through the outdoors, adventure, purpose, and eventually writing his book.

This conversation is about more than bullying.

It is about what happens when men stay silent too long.

It is about the damage people carry when nobody checks on them.

It is about alcohol, depression, trauma, shame, recovery, and the hard truth that asking for help can save a life.

Steve’s story is painful, honest, and powerful. But it is also proof that your life is not over because of what happened to you.

If you have ever been bullied, felt alone, used alcohol to numb pain, struggled with depression, or felt like nobody understood what you were carrying, this episode is for you.

Steve’s book:

The Story of a Short Ginger Kid: Bullied to Near Extinction

Buy it on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.ca/STORY-SHORT-GINGER-KID-Extinction/dp/B0GHZDSW89

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro

02:17 Steve’s book and story

03:11 Growing up bullied

04:22 Becoming the joker to survive

06:06 Running as an escape

10:05 Family struggles and early drinking

12:24 Joining the British Army

13:42 Bullying inside the army

15:29 Depression, alcohol, and pressure

19:30 Losing his army career

22:17 Rock bottom and self destruction

24:43 The advert that changed everything

25:55 Outdoor pursuits and rebuilding

28:20 Writing the book

31:29 Why Steve never asked for help

33:28 What he would tell his younger self

40:26 Speaking out to help others

41:21 Why Raw Minds exists

44:41 Raising his granddaughter

47:59 Steve’s message: don’t be alone

49:19 Where to find Steve’s book

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, addiction, or suicidal thoughts, reach out.

Canada Crisis Line:

Call or text 988

You are not alone.

Raw Minds Podcast is built for real conversations around men’s mental health, trauma, grief, addiction, recovery, fatherhood, discipline, pain, and personal growth.

Subscribe to Raw Minds Podcast for more real conversations that actually matter.

Raw Minds Podcast links:

YouTube:

https://youtube.com/@rawminds-cs3ci?si=GyaUB-JNhmxF-tv1

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/3I7hBJgYDdS8UQpbMl9bdt

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CRWJaV5qh/

TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@rawmindspodcast?_t=8rM6xvJfjKZ&_r=1

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/rawmindspodcast?igsh=MXI2cmh3cmUzcHNuMQ==

Email:

[email protected]

Website:

www.rawminds.ca

#MensMentalHealth #BullyingAwareness #TraumaRecovery #RawMindsPodcast #MentalHealthMatters #RecoveryStory #SurvivalStory #MenTalkToo #StopBullying #SuicidePrevention

He had the career. The family. The success.Then his body shut down.In this episode of Raw Minds, Erick sits down with Gary Smart, a former high-performing tech leader who pushed through life for decades until he hit a full collapse.No warning. No slow down. Just done.Gary opens up about what happens when you ignore stress, suppress emotions, and live your life in constant grind mode.This is the side most men never talk about.From prescription medication dependency to rehab, depression, and rebuilding from nothing, Gary breaks down the reality of what it takes to come back when your entire identity falls apart.This conversation is about more than burnout.It is about facing yourself.If you feel like you are holding everything together on the outside but falling apart inside, this episode will hit.WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE• Why high-performing men silently burn out• The danger of suppressing stress and emotions• How pushing through can destroy your mental health• The reality of prescription medication dependency• What rock bottom actually feels like• Why most men avoid asking for help• The truth about recovery and rebuilding your life• How to give yourself permission to stop• The role of fitness and movement in recovery• How to rebuild your identity after collapseABOUT GARY SMARTGary Smart is a former tech leader turned coach who helps high-performing men reconnect with themselves before they hit burnout.After years of pushing through stress, ignoring his mental health, and relying on medication to function, he experienced a full physical and mental collapse.He rebuilt his life from the ground up and now works with executives and founders to help them avoid the same path.His focus is simple. Awareness, honesty, and real change.GARY SMART LINKSWebsitehttps://garrismart.com.auVIDEO CHAPTERS00:00 The Collapse That Changed Everything01:30 Meet Gary Smart03:00 Growing Up With “Push Through” Mentality06:00 Living As A High Performer10:00 The Slow Burn Of Stress14:00 Medication And Dependency18:00 The Moment Of Collapse22:00 Rehab And Reality Check26:00 The Truth About Recovery30:00 Depression And Suicidal Thoughts34:00 Rebuilding From Nothing38:00 Permission To Stop42:00 Finding Purpose After Pain46:00 Final AdviceFOLLOW RAW MINDSYouTubehttps://youtube.com/@rawminds-cs3ciInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/rawmindspodcastTikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@rawmindspodcastFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1CRWJaV5qh/Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/2DTczix6Egs7fscQiqCpfaWebsitehttps://[email protected] you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, addiction, or suicidal thoughts, reach out.Canada Crisis LineCall or text 988You are not alone.

Why do men keep ending up in the same toxic relationships?

In this Raw Minds Podcast episode Erick sits down with Mr. J, a relationship coach and betrayal trauma practitioner, to break down why most men struggle in relationships and keep repeating the same patterns.

This is not surface-level advice. This is real work.

Mr. J explains how childhood trauma, lack of emotional awareness, and avoidance shape the way men show up in relationships. From betrayal and cheating to codependency and emotional shutdown, this conversation exposes what is actually happening beneath the surface.

They dive into why men avoid hard conversations, why boundaries are rarely enforced, and how most people enter relationships without even knowing who they are.

If you have ever been cheated on, felt lost in a relationship, or keep attracting the same problems, this episode will hit.

This is about taking responsibility, facing your past, and building something real.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

• Why most men repeat toxic relationship patterns
• How childhood trauma affects adult relationships
• The truth about cheating and betrayal
• Why men avoid emotional conversations
• How codependency actually forms
• The role of boundaries and why most people fail to enforce them
• What it takes to rebuild trust after betrayal
• Why relationships fail without self-awareness
• How to stop avoiding pain and start facing it
• The mindset needed for a healthy relationship

ABOUT MR. J

Mr. J is a relationship coach and betrayal trauma practitioner who helps individuals and couples navigate broken trust and rebuild their lives.

He focuses on intrapersonal relationships, helping people understand themselves first so they can build stronger relationships with others.

His work centers on accountability, emotional awareness, and real change. No shortcuts.

MR. J LINKS

All Links
https://linktr.ee/traumapractitionerjay

VIDEO CHAPTERS

00:00 Why Most Men Struggle In Relationships
01:40 Meet Mr. J
03:20 What Is Betrayal Trauma
06:00 Why Rebuilding Trust Is So Hard
10:00 The Pain Of Being Cheated On
14:00 Why People Stay In Toxic Relationships
18:00 The Truth About Affairs
22:00 The “Bermuda Triangle” Of Cheating
26:00 Why Men Avoid Emotions
30:00 Codependency And Losing Yourself
34:00 How To Build A Healthy Relationship
38:00 Facing Your Trauma
42:00 Fear, Growth, And Change
46:00 Final Advice

FOLLOW RAW MINDS

YouTube
https://youtube.com/@rawminds-cs3ci

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/rawmindspodcast

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If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, addiction, or suicidal thoughts, reach out.

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What does rock bottom really look like?

In this Raw Minds Podcast episode Erick sits down with Karyn Ward, a recovery leader who went from addiction, prison, and losing everything to helping others rebuild their lives from the ground up.

Karyn shares her raw story. From losing children, battling addiction, and living a life of crime, to hitting rock bottom and choosing a different path.

This is not theory. This is lived experience.

She now leads sober living homes, helps people stay clean, and builds real systems that give people a second chance at life.

This conversation breaks down what addiction actually takes from you, why most people relapse, and what it really takes to rebuild when everything falls apart.

If you have ever felt lost, stuck, or like you are fighting your way back alone, this episode matters.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

• What rock bottom actually looks like
• How addiction takes everything from you
• Why most people relapse after treatment
• The truth about recovery and rebuilding your life
• What it takes to stay clean long term
• The role of structure and community in recovery
• Why men struggle to open up emotionally
• How trauma shapes addiction
• The power of second chances
• What real accountability looks like

ABOUT KARYN WARD

Karyn Ward is the Director of Eau Claire Sober Living, where she leads multiple recovery homes focused on helping individuals rebuild their lives after addiction.

After spending years in addiction, prison, and losing everything, she turned her life around and now works on the front lines of recovery.

She is actively involved in sober living communities, public speaking, and is working toward becoming a substance abuse counselor.

Her mission is simple. Help people who are struggling find a path forward and build a life that does not fall apart again.

KARYN WARD LINKS

Website
https://www.ecsoberliving.com

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ecsoberliving

VIDEO CHAPTERS

00:00 Why You Need To Hear This
01:10 What Rock Bottom Really Looks Like
02:30 Meet Karyn Ward
04:00 Losing Everything Early In Life
08:00 Addiction And Entering The Drug World
12:00 Crime, Prison, And Survival
16:00 The Moment Everything Changed
20:00 Facing Consequences And Letting Go
24:00 Starting Recovery From Nothing
28:00 Building Trust And Structure
32:00 Why Men Struggle Emotionally
36:00 Recovery, Relapse, And Reality
40:00 Rebuilding A Life That Lasts
44:00 Final Thoughts

FOLLOW RAW MINDS

YouTube
https://youtube.com/@rawminds-cs3ci?si=GyaUB-JNhmxF-tv1

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/rawmindspodcast

TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@rawmindspodcast

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/share/1CRWJaV5qh/

Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/3I7hBJgYDdS8UQpbMl9bdt

Email
[email protected]

Website
www.rawminds.ca

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health addiction or suicidal thoughts reach out.

Canada Crisis Line
Call or text 988

You are not alone.