The Struggles of Man Podcast

Shannon Marie is an RCW, addictions worker, and mental health care worker. She describes feeling her mental health slip in university, later being diagnosed with bipolar 2. We chat about the importance on positive people, having a support group, and communication with love ones. She speaks on what she's learned working in the mental health care system, and how much she gets out of helping others. We touch on the mental health care system problems, societal influences that effect mental health and much more. Shannon has a great message to be open and honest about how you are feeling. She certainly was, and shared a lot of great information. 

I really enjoyed this conversation, Hope you do too!  

Katie Murry is a former substitute teacher, currently working for TakingItGlobal. A non-for-profit organization that gives grants for youth community projects. She describes feeling her mental health slip late in her senior year of high school “Almost over night”. She ended up in the hospital, later being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She describes her journey through the years with medications, relationships, taking on responsibilities again and positive outlets. Great talking with Katie.

Rama Macmillan shares his unique out of the box upbringing, 

Growing up with his parents fallowing the Hare Krishna religion. He spent his early years traveling, and moving around rural British Columbia going to school in a off the grid commune. Later moving to panama at the age of twelve, being exposed to a totally different culture. He speaks on cultural differences, his experiences and what he learned from it. From learning Spanish to hunting and fishing with the locals not spending much time in school. He returned to BC at age 15 moving to Vancouver, being reintroduced to school and finding football. He shares how important it was for him to find a focus. 

. Really interesting story, hope you enjoy! 

Emily is a journalism graduate, wife, mother and avid runner. She describes being diagnosed with Postpartum Depression during her pregnancy and having the baby just a few weeks before Covid 19. She speaks on working through Postpartum, later being diagnosed with OCD and BBD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder). The signs and symptoms of all three and how she has been able to navigate and work through them. She emphasizes the  importance of exercise, completing tasks no matter how small, working hard and having outlets. We touch on her starting her own podcast, change of perspective becoming a parent, meditation through running and much more. Great talk with Emily lots of wisdom here!   

Emily has organized the fallowing events in memory of Jacob Simmons & Jesse Howatt.   

Run for Jacob Simmons

 https://www.facebook.com/events/981420105659572/  

Jacob Simmons Sports Scholarship Fundraiser 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/Jacob-Simmons-Sports-Scholarship-Run-Day?utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link

Richard lush is a pillar to many communities. In the indigenous community as an Engagement officer at L’nuey PEI. As an Actor, Writer, and Director at Mi'kmaq Heritage Actors. As well  Former Aboriginal Sport Circle Coordinator at Mi'kmaq Confederacy of PEI.  In the sport community as team owner and manager of the Island Mariners Senior Mens Tackle Football Team , co-founder of island demons (the first all female football team on PEI). He is long time coach of Cornwall Timberwolves Football Club and has coached in many different sports and clubs across PEI helping build programs.  He is a co-owner of CANWILL training, a youth-based training program with a positive message of to not only better themselves in sports, but also become better leaders in their communities.   He shares his story growing up dealing with many adversities and loses in life, and how he became the person he is today. He emphasizes on the importance of positivity, and the importance on positive roll models for youth. We talk about indigenous challenges, history, and the beauty of the culture. He describes what being Mi’kmaq means to him, fallowing his own path growing up off reserve but finding himself and great pride in his heritage.   Great talk with Richard (Lushy), he is a long-time friend and is someone I have always looked up to. Its inspiring to see all that he does and gives to the community.   

Hope you enjoy!

Bethan Coombs is a teacher, mother, and studying astrologer. Bethan reached out during the shutdown and offered to do my astrology reading. To be honest I was skeptical, but I figured it would be an interesting conversation at the least. I had fallowed daily horoscopes in the past and they seemed very generic, cookie cutter, and as if it could apply to anyone. Doing your astrology reading is a snapshot of where the stars were aligned at the time of your birth, and how that makes up who you are. I have to say the results really blew my mind. I took four pages of notes that were fully accurate to who I am. These were specific and personal things, that she would have no way of knowing. We discuss my reading in the podcast, and how she got into astrology and what it means to her. She shares examples of how it has helped understand herself, and those close to her in life. I think its interesting the concept of learning what is in your nature or given personality traits and how that ties to mental health. Especially how much confusion it can potentially cause not understanding why you feel or think a certain way.  

Any tool in the box to be healthier!

Carah Ross is a success business person, speaker, mother and friend. She describes being on the streets of Vancouver just two years ago homeless and addicted to drugs. In and out of jail from the time she was 14 years old. Losing here mother at a young age, growing up in a house of drug dealing. It is truly inspiring to see how far she has come in such a short time, and how much effort she puts forth into helping others. "Turning my mess into a message." Thanks so much to Carah for sharing!

Joy Denise gives very insightful take on narcissists, and describes being in close relationships with two in her life. She describes working through the damage down as well as the importance of examining your own well being. She now does life coaching at https://livenarcfree.com/ and does informational videos on narcissists at https://www.youtube.com/livenarcfree?fbclid=IwAR0Y-V8Q5PgI70PvtHkiIyo3waFdA5F8DW63C8wMMob7yMc3mRbvrsGCkzI .   

hope you enjoy!

Hannah is a recent graduate from UPEI and now theater school student in Toronto. She discusses being diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) at the age of 14. Past Traumas, growing up in a religious private school, life, and the mental heath care system. Great conversation with Hannah!

Joshua is a Dalhousie university student in his third year. He describes growing up in PEI and experiencing racism throughout school, and as early as just 5 years old. Years of constant bullying because of the color of his skin that lead him to mental health struggles and eventually a suicide attempt.  He speaks on the importance of sharing these stories and how he wants to help the next generation not have to go through this. Powerful stuff!