Megha Parekh is the Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and she has been with the Jaguars since 2013.

In this conversation, Megha shares her journey of trauma recovery, emphasizing the importance of living authentically and embracing complexity. She discusses the nature of pain and suffering, the impact of guilt and shame, and the value of seeking professional help. Megha highlights the stigma surrounding mental health and the difference between being a victim and feeling victimized. She offers insights on how to support loved ones in crisis, the dangers of misguided advice, and the need for societal change in perceptions of mental health. Ultimately, she reflects on finding gratitude in adversity and transforming pain into strength.

Follow Megha on Instagram: #meghalegalgirl10

Learn more about:
The Fire Watch, an organization hat has trained more than 10,000 Floridians in Veteran Suicide prevention.

Be Nice (Notice - Invite - Challenge - Empower), a foundation in West Michigan dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and preventing suicide

The Pain Factor is a Project Fourtress podcast.

Project Fourtress is a secular, humanist project, dedicated to find answers to the physical, mental and emotional pain people experience, as well as offer help to deal with these issues. To learn more about Project Fourtress, please visit fourtress.org.

In this conversation, Lisa Franz, a nutrition coach and trainer, discusses the multifaceted nature of pain and its impact on life quality, particularly in relation to nutrition and weight loss. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the deeper sources of pain, the role of shame and motivation in weight loss, and the necessity of consistency in achieving long-term health goals. Lisa shares her personal journey from a life of discomfort to one of fulfillment, encouraging listeners to embrace discomfort as a part of growth and to strive for a life they love.

You can learn more about Coach Lisa at nutritioncoachingandlife.com

Follow her on Instagram: #nutritioncoachingandlife

The Pain Factor is a Project Fourtress podcast.

Project Fourtress is a secular, humanist project, dedicated to find answers to the physical, mental and emotional pain people experience, as well as offer help to deal with these issues. To learn more about Project Fourtress, please visit fourtress.org.

Judy Gaman is the CEO of Executive Medicine of Texas, an award-winning author, speaker, and host of the Stay Young America! Podcast

In this conversation, she shares her insights on pain, its management, and the interconnectedness of emotional and physical health. With over 25 years in the healthcare industry, she emphasizes the importance of recognizing pain as a valid experience and understanding its origins.

You can learn more about Judy's work and journey at https://www.judygaman.com/

The Pain Factor is a Project Fourtress podcast.

Project Fourtress is a secular, humanist project, dedicated to find answers to the physical, mental and emotional pain people experience, as well as offer help to deal with these issues. To learn more about Project Fourtress, please visit fourtress.org.

In this episode of TPF, we explore the interaction between darkness and light. We discuss how true victory isn't about eliminating darkness entirely, but about understanding how to navigate and "walk on" it. The conversation concludes by challenging the fear of shadows, reframing them as the ultimate indicator of brightness.

The Pain Factor is a Project Fourtress podcast.

Project Fourtress is a secular, humanist project, dedicated to find answers to the physical, mental and emotional pain people experience, as well as offer help to deal with these issues. To learn more about Project Fourtress, please visit fourtress.org.

On this episode of TPF, we explore how constant external noise—coming from news, social media, and other people's endless chatter—distracts us from our goals. We examine how this relentless input debilitates our minds and bodies, ultimately worsening our pain.

The Pain Factor is a Project Fourtress podcast.

Project Fourtress is a secular, humanist project, dedicated to find answers to the physical, mental and emotional pain people experience, as well as offer help to deal with these issues. To learn more about Project Fourtress, please visit fourtress.org.

On this episode of The Pain Factor, we analyze the "electrocardiogram" of our lives. Are we truly living, or merely existing? We explore the inseparable link between pain and change: recognizing that growth demands discomfort, advancement requires concession, and lasting relief can only be found by facing the pain head-on.

The Pain Factor is a Project Fourtress podcast.

Project Fourtress is a secular, humanist project, dedicated to find answers to the physical, mental and emotional pain people experience, as well as offer help to deal with these issues. To learn more about Project Fourtress, please visit fourtress.org.

What does it mean to create a life you love when you're also living with constant pain? This idea can feel impossible, and even condescending.

On this episode of TPF, we dig into the motivations behind this powerful question and explore the difficult reality of pursuing joy amidst mental, physical, or emotional struggles. How can you practically build a fulfilling life, one detail at a time, when it feels like everything is working against you?

We'll discuss how a deeper understanding of the details and organization of your life can provide a path forward.

The Pain Factor is a Project Fourtress podcast.

Project Fourtress is a secular, humanist project, dedicated to find answers to the physical, mental and emotional pain people experience, as well as offer help to deal with these issues. To learn more about Project Fourtress, please visit fourtress.org.

On this episode of TPF, we take a respite to stop and contemplate what the one thing in your daily life that calms you down and brings you deep joy is. What offers a quiet reprieve from the everyday struggle? This week on, we take a moment to consider that question. We’ll analyze why finding your source of peace, your "painkiller" is so important and how consistently focusing on it can change your life.

The Pain Factor is a Project Fourtress podcast.

Project Fourtress is a secular, humanist project, dedicated to find answers to the physical, mental and emotional pain people experience, as well as offer help to deal with these issues. To learn more about Project Fourtress, please visit fourtress.org.

Ready to stop making excuses? On this episode of TPF, we challenge you to face a simple question: Have you truly considered therapy, or have you simply dismissed it? We cut through the common myths and excuses to reveal why it’s a powerful tool for change, and why now is the time to bet on yourself instead of flat-out dismissing this powerful option for personal growth to start taking action and build a better future for yourself.

The Pain Factor is a Project Fourtress podcast.

Project Fourtress is a secular, humanist project, dedicated to find answers to the physical, mental and emotional pain people experience, as well as offer help to deal with these issues. To learn more about Project Fourtress, please visit fourtress.org.

On this episode of TPF, we challenge the myth of relentless positivity. We'll discuss how forced optimism can invalidate our struggles, sabotage our plans, and paralyze us from moving forward. This isn't about just wishing for a better future—it's about building one, starting now.

The Pain Factor is a Project Fourtress podcast.

Project Fourtress is a secular, humanist project, dedicated to find answers to the physical, mental and emotional pain people experience, as well as offer help to deal with these issues. To learn more about Project Fourtress, please visit fourtress.org.