March 08, 2023

Tackling Anxiety Triggers with Jesse Katches

1 hour 8 minutes

In this week’s episode of Off the Cuff with Danny LoPriore, my guest is content creator, mental health advocate and self-development enthusiast, Jesse Katches. Growing up, Jesse struggled with OCD and anxiety and panic attacks. I sat down with Jesse to talk about anxiety triggers, staying fit, relationships, and much more. It’s all happening right here On the Cuff.

“For me to call 911, it was very extreme. And so I ended up doing it. They talked to me on the phone. Right when the paramedics got there, I was completely fine. They checked me. They made sure but, at that moment, I was like something in my life needs to change right now because I can’t go on living this way.” – Jesse (18:44)

My conversation with Jesse is full of useful tips and tricks bundled with humor. Jesse talks about how to tackle anxiety triggers and offers the simplest solution ever: Address the reason the attack came up in the first place instead of avoiding it.

“You’re essentially training your body to say, I had a panic attack at the theatre. Now I am avoiding it. So that confirms that there is a real threat at that place. Instead of saying, wait I had a panic attack there but it’s something deeper; it’s something deeper routed, It comes from something else; that theatre is not the problem.” – Jesse (1:01:50)

During the podcast, Jesse coins one of the best phrases to describe and counter anxiety; Anxiety is not a call to avoid. It’s a call to action.

“For me it’s less about avoiding triggers, more about exploring why they have come up. I have started to view anxiety overall as a call to action in a sense. Because every time I felt anxiety and experienced a lot of it, it was when there are deeper rooted problems and traumas that I haven’t addressed. So, if I’m feeling anxiety now there is something within me that I need to explore and that I need to grow in.” Jesse – (1:02:30)

In This Episode:

(06:20) On how much of himself is in the content he creates.
(09:20) Growing up with health anxiety and OCD.
(10:55) Reflecting on his relationship and the loss of his oldest brother.
(15:40) – Danny talks about his first panic attack.
(17:28) – The day he decided to make a change for the better
(21:17) – Talking fitness goals, workout routines, and Peloton.
(22:16) – Describing Kinesiology.
(22:48) – Danny recalls his first ad deal.
(32:17) – The tips and tricks of being successful.
(35:40) – Talking therapy, therapists, and physical exercise.
(38:30) – On being engaged and soon to be married.
(41:25) – The two sides of Jesse Katches.
(51:00) – Danny talks about his weight vows.
(55:06) – Discussing conflict in relationships.
(1:01:06) – How to avoid anxiety triggers.

Our Guest

Jesse Katches is a mental health advocate, content creator and self-development enthusiast. He suffered from OCD and anxiety growing up and now counsels’ people through his website and online courses on how to recover and lead a fulfilling life.

Resources & Links

Off The Cuff