Warriors Unmasked

Sometimes the best action is to take a step back and realign. Can you relate?

Welcome back to Warriors Unmasked! Today's guest is a former principal, former athletic director, founder of Mindset Sports, and proud father of three Brad Dempsey. Brad has a passion for coaching athletes of all ages and establishing a healthy balance in their Mind, Body & Spirit by empowering them to become the best version of themselves through their sport. You'll hear about Brad's personal journey with mental illness after surviving a horrific car crash leaving him a significant brain injury in 1995.

Listen in as Brad openly shares about his struggle with depression and anxiety as a teenager and how he came to the realization that good health was more internal than he thought. We have an honest discussion about the trouble of mental pain as a teenager and only being treated for physical injuries. You'll hear the moment Brad connected the importance of mental and physical health, escaping overmedication, and why he never thinks of his failures as holding him back. Brad talks about what he does now to combat mental illness and how faith in God has given him the confidence to keep moving forward.

We hope this episode gives you hope and understanding for the different kinds of trauma and the healing that can happen when you are brave enough to reach out and take a hand.

For more resources or to Connect with Brad, check out the links below!

Always in your corner,

Chuck and Clint

More Of What's Inside:

• How a brain injury changed Brad's life
• Dealing with depression as a teenager
• The cost of pushing down your feelings
• The moment Brad realized he needed to change for the better
• How Brad handles his mental health now
• The dangers of overmedication
• The importance of living life with gratefulness
• How you can "fail forward"
• Why following your passion can change your life
• Finding the balance of mental health and sports
• And much more!

GUEST LINKS:

• https://www.mindsetsports.life/'
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/mindset-sports/about/?viewAsMember=true
• Insta: https://www.instagram.com/mindsetsports_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MindsetSportsLife/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2n4_Sn0_A68RIQgfLMAuxg
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/mindsetsports_

LINKS:

• malarchuk.com/book
• malarchuk.com
• www.thecompassionateconnection.com
• www.warriorsunmasked.com
• Follow us on Instagram
• Like us on Facebook
• Subscribe To Our YouTube

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:02 What to expect today
• 1:40 Welcome Brad
• 4:03 When everything was great but it didn't feel like it
• 7:35 How Brad handled his inner wounds as a teenager
• 10:25 Brad's pill addiction and recovery
• 16:04 The spiritual side of Brad's journey
• 19:54 When Brad said "enough is enough"
• 22:16 How Brad brad keeps a heart of gratitude
• 27:28 Finding out what you really want in life
• 38:02 How to connect with Brand and Mindset Sports
• 40:49 Finding someone you trust

When your back is against the wall, you have no choice but to move forward. It can be the hardest thing you have ever done, but you never know where that first step will take you.

Welcome back to Warriors Unmasked! Today's guest is a father of two, member of the 1994 Stanley cup champions, a champion of the 2004 Kelly cup, and cancer survivor Matt Loughran. Matt has served in several leadership roles for more than thirty years in the professional hockey industry in which his highlight was the eleven seasons he spent as the Director of Team Operations for the New York Rangers. Listen in as Matt talks about growing up with depression and anxiety, his time in the NHL, and the moment his life changed when he was diagnosed with esophagus cancer at the age of 52.

Matt talks about the struggle of growing up with depression and anxiety, how it continued on into his professional career, and the moment he knew he needed help dealing with his mental illness. Matt gives his own wisdom about reaching out for help and allowing those who support you to help you along your journey. You'll hear about his surprise diagnosis of esophageal cancer, the emotions that came along with it, how his support system rose up to help him and his family, and how he maintains his mental health now.

Matt embodies everything that Warriors Unmasked stands for, he has lived and WON with courage, perseverance, and battling his own mental illness. We believe this episode will fill you with hope and courage to take the next step in your journey and continue persevering through any and all odds.

To get in touch with us or follow us on social media check out the links below!

Always in your corner,

Chuck and Clint

More Of What's Inside:

• Winning the battle against cancer
• The power of community and your support system
• Growing up with depression and anxiety
• Taking a moment for self-reflection
• Pushing through in the hardest moments
• How Matt manages his depression and anxiety now
• The small and supportive world of hockey
• How hockey helped Matt get through cancer
• And much more!

LINKS:

• malarchuk.com/book
• malarchuk.com
• www.thecompassionateconnection.com
• www.warriorsunmasked.com
• Follow us on Instagram
• Like us on Facebook

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:02 What to expect today
• 1:20 American Hat Company ad
• 2:09 Get to know Matt
• 7:38 When Matt knew something wasn't right
• 15:11 Matt's awards and rings and how he starts winning
• 18:21 Playing for some of the hardest coaches
• 20:48 Matt's life long journey with mental illness
• 24:06 How Matt dealt with the fear of cancer
• 30:00 Clint's coaching story
• 35:20 What life is like for Matt today
• 40:01 Closing thoughts and advice

Have you ever noticed how stress, anxiety, and depression have a way of hiding in plain sight?

As the saying goes "the grass is always greener on the other side." right? We've all seen a successful person on tv or caught up with a friend about life and thought -

"wow, they really have it all together." or, "It must just be easier for them."

However, even when it's our dearest friends, we may not be seeing the full picture.

Welcome back to Warriors Unmasked! Chuck here, today our guest is a Presidential Scholar, three-time consecutive winner of the Beverly Chew-Academic Excellence and Outstanding Citizenship Award, and NCAA Division III Ice Hockey coach Nick Bingaman. In this episode Nick talks about growing up north of New York City where he found a love and passion for ice hockey, with major support from his parents Nick's passion was fueled into a fire. He talks about growing up as an athlete and how consistency and staying on routine kept his mind focused when stressful situations came up.

Listen in as Nick shares the moment that turned his life around when his Father who was his biggest supporter and friend was incarcerated. He speaks about how despite his success, he hid his depression and anxiety which caused it to take root within his life. You'll hear how Nick struggled with his mental illness before finding the support that he needed to tackle issues, why he takes it one day at a time, and why having the right support and resources will make all the difference. Nick also talks about TAD a dedicated resource for those struggling with mental illness and suicide and how working with the project has not only saved so many but been therapeutic for him as well.

Nick's story is one of courage, battling mental illness, and daily perseverance to create a life full of happiness, success, and peace. We believe that all of this is available to you if you are willing to reach out and seize it.

To learn more about TAD and or share with friends and family check out the links below!

Always In Your Corner,

Chuck and Clint

More Of What's Inside:

• Living with no regrets
• Why consistency can help with stability
• Dealing with rejection and change
• Coping with stressful life situations
• The moment Nick's life changed
• The benefit of persevering despite all odds
• Finding the right support for you
• Equipping yourself with resources to help with crisis
• Taking it one step at a time and doing what makes you happy
• And much more!

GUEST LINKS:

• Website: https://thetadproject.org
• Insta: http://instagram.com/thetadproject/
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/thetadproject
• Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tad-voices/id1523961565

LINKS:

• malarchuk.com/book
• malarchuk.com
• www.thecompassionateconnection.com
• www.warriorsunmasked.com
• Follow us on Instagram
• Like us on Facebook

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:01 What to expect today
• 1:29 American company ad
• 2:37 Get to know Nick and living with no regrets
• 6:04 What life was like growing up for Nick
• 12:54 The grass isn't always greener
• 18:08 A look into Nick's Hockey journey
• 28:17 When Nick found out his Father was arrested
• 32:11 The last moment Nick's Father protected him
• 40:01 The importance of community
• 44:49 The backstory of the TAD project
• 51:11 Closing thoughts and advice

Welcome back to Warriors Unmasked! Have you ever had a day where you just don't feel OK? You push through and plaster a fake smile on, if this is you lately then we encourage you to listen to this episode because we are firm in the belief that it is okay, to not be okay.

Our guest today is the definition of courage, perseverance, and battling mental illness. Thea Daniels is a leadership coach, recovering alcoholic, mother of two, and a self-employed "hair-apist." You'll hear how Thea works with the belief that happiness and fulfillment fuel how we live, and that recovery is more than just dealing with it and dying.

Listen in as she tells her story beginning at the age of 12 with alcohol and self-harm, and how by 20 years old she was enlisted and working through alcoholics anonymous. Thea talks about the dangers of self-medicating as well as being aware of where you are in your journey and how she took the steps to start her own recovery. You'll learn some practical tips like changing your perspective, remembering to slow down, and even her P.A.C.T. process that can help you stop and reevaluate.

This episode is full of understanding what ignites YOU and how you can achieve your dreams by asking powerful questions, really listening to your own answers and allowing yourself to make proactive instead of reactive decisions. Thea talks about taking the complexity out of your journey and finding the answers within yourself to live simply and get through the times when you are not OK.

We hope this episode encourages you, and that you know that you are not alone and you are worth it. To connect with Thea or follow her on social media check out the links below!

Always In Your Corner,

Chuck and Clint

More of What We Talk About:

• Why alcoholism was prevalent in Thea's life
• Dealing with the issue of self-medicating
• Identifying the issues that cause self-harm
• Allowing yourself to feel anger
• Unlearning the unhelpful thought processes that stop us
• The moment when Thea knew that she needed to change
• Filling the hole with things that grow you
• Understanding the journey of recovery
• Finding a new outlook on life
• Taking a huge dream one step at a time
• Tips to help you reach your next goal
• And much more!

GUEST LINKS:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: http://theadaniels.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheaDanielsDesign
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thea-daniels-a6283123/

LINKS:

• malarchuk.com/book
• malarchuk.com
• www.thecompassionateconnection.com
• www.warriorsunmasked.com
• Follow us on Instagram
• Like us on Facebook

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:02 Welcome Thea!
• 1:21 American Hat Company Ad
• 2:05 Get to know Thea
• 7:45 How Thea started self-medicating
• 12:02 Why Thea started to self-harm
• 18:20 When Thea decided to get sober
• 27:44 The steps Thea took to get where she is today
• 34:26 When Thea lost her Mother to cancer
• 36:48 The importance of loving your life
• 40:59 Keep it simply
• 43:49 How to connect with Thea
• 42:20 Life happens
• 47:03 Thea advice and inspiration

Welcome back to Warriors Unmasked! If you've been needing a sign to tackle that daunting next step in your journey, well here it is! Today we have a continuation of an amazing episode about self-discovery and choosing the path that grows you. Scott Kelsey has some insight into just what will help you grow more confident and ready for whatever comes your way and if you haven't listened to the first part check out episode 16!

Scott Kelsey grew up in Clark Mills, NY where he found a love for hockey from there he graduated college playing professionally for almost 10 years before stepping into the mortgage business. In 2018 Scott suffered a traumatic injury after falling down the stairs in his home, since then Scott has been an advocate for mental health, with a focus on self-discovery and continual learning while leveraging experiences both good and bad to help others live more meaningful and happy lives.

We have an open discussion about Scott's journey after his accident and how gratitude has played a huge role in his continued success with recovering. He talks about the importance of being grateful for the now, and how focusing on his family, work, and self-care has made it possible for him to not only heal but grow.

Listen in as Scott talks about the moment he realized physical fitness was more than just being able to play a good game, how he worked through the changing relationship with his body, and how physical activity has actually helped with his mental health. We discuss how slowing down and really thinking about what your mind and body need is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and how trusting yourself when it comes to your body is a skill that everyone should learn.

Scott has some great advice on how you can tackle something that may be daunting to you, and how you can feel confident and peaceful in yourself no matter the situation. We hope this episode empowers and encourages you to take that next step and set your healing journey's course.

To connect with Scott or find more resources check out the links below!

Always in your corner,

Chuck and Clint

More of What We Talk About:

• Having to relearn life after brain injury
• Finding a level of gratitude that changes your life
• Living in the moment and focusing all you do have
• The importance of physical activity while recovering
• What mental fitness may look like for you
• Taking the time you need even if other things need to wait
• Listening to what your body needs
• The effect brain injuries may have on your mental health
• Navigating the right diet and alcohol to upgrade your life
• Reaching out to people who have gone through the same struggle
• And much more!

GUEST LINKS:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: http://www.shareapy.com/
• Website: https://movement.com/lo/scott-kelsey/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-kelsey-0aba01

LINKS:

• malarchuk.com/book
• malarchuk.com
• www.thecompassionateconnection.com
• www.warriorsunmasked.com
• Follow us on Instagram
• Like us on Facebook

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:02 What to expect today
• 1:20 American Hat Company ad
• 1:38 Welcome back Scott!
• 6:01 What worried Scott the most post-injury
• 4:48 Where do you go from here?
• 12:39 How Scott manages his negative thought
• 16:28 Archiving high levels of gratefulness
• 20:56 Slowing life down
• 23:10 How Scott remains a healthy lifestyle day to day
• 28:52 How Scott feels his cup
• 34:58 How Scott's diet affects his mental state
• 42:35 The personal effects of alcohol for Chuck
• 48:46 Great things can come from putting yourself out there
• 50:04 Closing thoughts

It's a night just like any other and the loved one you have been worried about lately sends you a text...you look down at your screen to see what they said and you are met with the one message you hoped would never come.

The person you care so much about is ready to take their own life.

You start to frantically google and research the phrase "how to talk someone out of suicide" but all resources seem vague and unhelpful in the heat of the moment…every second that passes only increases the severity of the situation...all you can do is panic and hope your gut reaction will save them.

It was a situation similar to this that made our guests decide there was a better way to help end the rise in suicide rates.

Today we welcome entrepreneur, mental health advocate, and Founder of The TAD Project Ben Greiner to Warriors Unmasked. The TAD Project is a recourse for the friends and family of someone dealing with suicidal thoughts and mental illness to work through moments of crisis. Having studied psychology and currently finishing his master's at USC, Ben is all about increasing mental health equity, helping people work through life's challenging moments, and creating resources to support yourself and a loved one through the mental health journey. Today you will find him working on launching the new TAD Project online community and crisis help link to give people space to safely discover mental health information.

Listen in and hear about Ben's childhood growing up in California, the highs, lows, and pressure of professional sports, understanding the need for community, the process of dusting off suppressed emotions, and much more.

You will also hear about The T.A.D. (Talk Ask Decide) Project, how it came to be, and how they are saving lives every day through education and resources.

If this podcast impacts you, we ask that you share this episode with a friend, and be sure to see the links below to see how you can get involved with Ben's amazing work.

-

Always in your corner,

Client and Chuck

More of What We Talk About:

• Asking the tough questions
• Improving recourses for suicide prevention
• Letting younger generations talk about their feelings
• Loving people through rock bottom
• Creating a safe place to share your darkest thoughts
• How Ben's pasted led to his future passions
• What life was like division one hockey
• The back story behind the TAD project
• Breaking the cycle
• The worst night of Ben's life
• And much more!

GUEST LINKS:

• Website: https://thetadproject.org
• Social: http://instagram.com/thetadproject
• Twitter: thetadproject
• Podcast: TAD Voices on Apple Podcasts

LINKS:

• malarchuk.com/book
• malarchuk.com
• www.thecompassionateconnection.com
• www.warriorsunmasked.com
• Follow us on Instagram
• Like us on Facebook

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:02 What to expect today
• 1:16 American Hat Company Ad
• 2:24 What life was like for Ben growing up
• 14:17 The cycle of striving
• 17:03 The journey to division one hockey
• 20:54 The pressure of being scouted
• 28:13 The power of a supported community
• 29:56 Ben's past gave him direction for the future
• 32:18 When Ben found himself talking a friend out of suicide
• 38:01 The difference between mental illness and emotional distress
• 43:32 What TAD is all about and how to get involved
• 48:46 A message from Ben's heart
• 52:23 Why this interview impacted Clint

Welcome back to Warriors Unmasked, if you've been joining in with us you know we put huge value on support systems, family, and friends that help us through our mental journeys. But sometimes, we dig so deep we forget how simple it can be.

Our guest today is an amazing example of not only our 3 pillars of perseverance, courage, and mental health but a thought leader in positive thinking, finding your happiness within yourself, and protecting what you have grown. Brent DeNure is a retired goal keeper and close friend, he has pushed through physical obstacles to pursue hockey, worked for and owned multiple businesses, and now focuses on his current business of Vintage Tendy Magazine and Vintage Firetruck Magazine.

Join us as we talk about how Brent began his journey in hockey growing up in Chatham, Ontario with his three other siblings and parents. How Brent managed starting hockey later than all the other kids his age and how his determination allowed him to continue pursuing hockey throughout college and beyond. Listen in as Brent discusses his determination to have fun, and rewarding experiences that followed him after hockey and into becoming an entrepreneur.

You'll hear how owning two diamond stores, armed robberies, and even family tension did not stop Brent from pursuing what he thought was the right thing in that moment, and how taking a step back and reevaluating his situation is a practice that Brent has found creates amazing results and how he still uses it today. We have an open conversation about the importance of support, family, surrounding yourself with positive thinkers, and how sometimes you just need to keep it simple.

This refreshing episode is one you do not want to miss, we had an great time talking to Brent and hearing all the wisdom that he carries. To learn more about Brent, check out the magazines, or connect on social media check out the links below! And remember, sometimes it's better to just keep it simple.

Always in your corner,

Chuck and Clint

More of What We Talk About:

• Breaking through cliques as a young athlete
• Brent's life after hockey and college
• Learning through tragedy and new territory
• How Brent became an entrepreneur
• Finding the flexibility to grow and change with your business
• How COVID put things into perspective
• Why you should take a deep breath and reevaluate
• The one thing that you should value above all else
• The importance of surrounding yourself with people who will help you grow
• Finding the confidence that things will work out
• Why Brent is passionate about printing physical magazines
• Why you should be around those who think positively

• And much more!

GUEST LINKS:

• Website: Vintage Tendy Magazine
• Vintage Tendy Magazine Ads
• Wesbite: Vintage Firetruck Magazine
• Vintage Tendy Magazine Twitter
• Vintage Tendy Magazine Facebook
• Vintage Tendy Magazine Insta

LINKS:

• malarchuk.com/book
• malarchuk.com
• www.thecompassionateconnection.com
• www.warriorsunmasked.com
• Follow us on Instagram
• Like us on Facebook

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:02 What to expect today
• 1:32 American Hat Company ad
• 1:52 Episode starts
• 3:27 How life was like growing up for Brent
• 9:32 Brent's journey with minor league hockey
• 13:27 What college was like
• 19:30 What life looked like after college
• 23:48 Brent's journey to entrepreneurship and working with family
• 28:06 When the game changed for Brent
• 33:30 How Brent made friends in Hollywood
• 36:02 Bren't main message in life
• 40:37 When things started to go off the rails
• 47:35 Finding the simplicity in life
• 55:05 Final thoughts

Welcome back to Warriors Unmasked, as you know courage, perseverance, and mental health are pillars in all we talk about and are pivotal to starting your own journey to healing. But another huge thing that is needed is vulnerability, taking off the mask that everything is alright and stepping out to ask for help.

Our guest today is an amazing example of how reaching out and asking for help can not only make your mental illness more manageable but can actually give you a home run into success.

Charlie McConnell grew up with a passion for baseball and with patience, determination, and perseverance he was able to make his dream come true of getting drafted into the MLB Seattle Mariners. Listen in as Charlie talks about his journey from little league to the major League and how he handled his anxiety all throughout. You'll hear about Charlie's first encounter with anxiety when he was only 10 years old, how he pushed past that and was able to successfully pursue baseball until his sophomore year in college.

Mental illness can creep up at any time and it wasn't any different for Charlie, he talks about how he dealt with crippling anxiety as a sophomore in college and how it almost ended his career. Hear how Charlie leaned on support from his family and persevered despite all his anxietys telling him he was going to fail, plus the moment he knew he needed to reach out for professional help, and how he combats his anxiety today.

You'll learn how Charlie has transitioned from playing professional baseball to now working in an investment strategy firm and how exchanging one stress for another is manageable if you're only willing to reach out and ask for help. Charlie's story is full of hope and inspiration that even with mental illness you have the potential to become wildly successful.

To learn more or to connect with Charlie check out the links below!

Always in your corner,

Chuck and Clint

More of What We Talk About:

• Charlie's first instance of anxiety
• Understanding what triggers your anxiety
• How perceptions of other people hindered Charlie from reaching out
• The biggest support in Charlie's life
• Knowing when its time to reach out for help
• The change that is coming with mental health and sports
• Charlie's tips on making transitions in life with anxiety
• Why turning negatives into positives can help with overthinking
• The importance of staying consistent
• The reward of opening up to someone
• And much more!

LINKS:

GUEST LINKS:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlie-mcconnell-2b142713a/
• Insta: https://www.instagram.com/financewithcharlie/
• Website: http://www.beckbode.com/

LINKS:

• malarchuk.com/book
• malarchuk.com
• www.thecompassionateconnection.com
• www.warriorsunmasked.com
• Follow us on Instagram
• Like us on Facebook

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:02 What to expect today
• 1:23 Episode begins
• 1:40 Welcome Charlie McConnell
• 3:25 How Charlie grew up in baseball
• 4:37 When Charlie first experienced severe anxiety
• 6:23 Starting to cope with anxiety
• 8:29 The start of Charlies professional career
• 15:23 Anxiety in the major leagues
• 18:43 Mothers know best
• 21:08 The support system that helped Charlie
• 27:01 The moment that Charlie felt comfortable reaching out
• 29:50 Hidden mental struggles in baseball
• 33:48 How reading and journaling helped Charlie through anxiety
• 38:47 Keep chasing your dreams
• 41:16 Meditation and relaxation
• 46:30 You are not alone

Welcome back to Warriors Unmasked, as you know courage, perseverance, and mental health are pillars in all we talk about and are pivotal to starting your own journey to healing. But another huge thing that is needed is vulnerability, taking off the mask that everything is alright and stepping out to ask for help.

Our guest today is an amazing example of how reaching out and asking for help can not only make your mental illness more manageable but can actually give you a home run into success.

Charlie McConnell grew up with a passion for baseball and with patience, determination, and perseverance he was able to make his dream come true of getting drafted into the MLB Seattle Mariners. Listen in as Charlie talks about his journey from little league to the major League and how he handled his anxiety all throughout. You'll hear about Charlie's first encounter with anxiety when he was only 10 years old, how he pushed past that and was able to successfully pursue baseball until his sophomore year in college.

Mental illness can creep up at any time and it wasn't any different for Charlie, he talks about how he dealt with crippling anxiety as a sophomore in college and how it almost ended his career. Hear how Charlie leaned on support from his family and persevered despite all his anxietys telling him he was going to fail, plus the moment he knew he needed to reach out for professional help, and how he combats his anxiety today.

You'll learn how Charlie has transitioned from playing professional baseball to now working in an investment strategy firm and how exchanging one stress for another is manageable if you're only willing to reach out and ask for help. Charlie's story is full of hope and inspiration that even with mental illness you have the potential to become wildly successful.

To learn more or to connect with Charlie check out the links below!

Always in your corner,

Chuck and Clint

More of What We Talk About:

• Charlie's first instance of anxiety
• Understanding what triggers your anxiety
• How perceptions of other people hindered Charlie from reaching out
• The biggest support in Charlie's life
• Knowing when its time to reach out for help
• The change that is coming with mental health and sports
• Charlie's tips on making transitions in life with anxiety
• Why turning negatives into positives can help with overthinking
• The importance of staying consistent
• The reward of opening up to someone
• And much more!

LINKS:

GUEST LINKS:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlie-mcconnell-2b142713a/
• Insta: https://www.instagram.com/financewithcharlie/
• Website: http://www.beckbode.com/

LINKS:

• malarchuk.com/book
• malarchuk.com
• www.thecompassionateconnection.com
• www.warriorsunmasked.com
• Follow us on Instagram
• Like us on Facebook

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:02 What to expect today
• 1:23 Episode begins
• 1:40 Welcome Charlie McConnell
• 3:25 How Charlie grew up in baseball
• 4:37 When Charlie first experienced severe anxiety
• 6:23 Starting to cope with anxiety
• 8:29 The start of Charlies professional career
• 15:23 Anxiety in the major leagues
• 18:43 Mothers know best
• 21:08 The support system that helped Charlie
• 27:01 The moment that Charlie felt comfortable reaching out
• 29:50 Hidden mental struggles in baseball
• 33:48 How reading and journaling helped Charlie through anxiety
• 38:47 Keep chasing your dreams
• 41:16 Meditation and relaxation
• 46:30 You are not alone

Welcome back to Warriors Unmasked this week we deep dive into a story that shows what it means to have courage, resilience and mental health. Allan Bester has gone against all odds to find happiness and rest while dealing with an anxiety disorder.

In today's episode learn how Allan struggled with an anxiety disorder from a small child all the way through his hockey career and how the stress of performing along with never wanting to fail only caused his mental and physical health to deteriorate all throughout his career. You'll hear about the moment Allan had enough and did whatever it took to find happiness and hope for life and all that he did.

Listen in as Allan talks about the awareness factor of his disorder and how keeping it down kept him from realizing that what he was struggling with was not normal, how he began the steps to healing and even how medication has helped create a life that Allan is looking forward to experiencing. We discuss the turning point and the moment things started clicking in his brain thanks to the aid of the medications he had worked through with a trained professional. We have an open discussion on the steps to take for each person and their own mental health whether it be medications, working through past trauma, or finding triggers we hope you'll hear how nothing is more important than a healthy mental state and how stepping out and asking for help is only the beginning to your recovery.

Our hope is that if you learn anything from this episode, let it be that nothing is worth the cost of your mental health and if you have the courage you can reach out and take someone's hand to start your healing journey today.

Always in your corner,

Chuck and Clint

More of What We Talk About:

• A reflection of how people hide their pain
• How Allen fooled Chuck and Clint
• The struggle Allan faced at the end of his hockey career
• Is this normal? When Allen realized there may be a problem
• How Allan found ways to be happy
• How Allen's injury increased anxiety
• What it was like for Allen to leave his hockey dream
• How medication helped Allan enjoy and excel at work and life
• Looking back now, what Allan wishes he would have done.
• HELP: The most courageous word you could say
• And much more!

LINKS:

• malarchuk.com/book
• malarchuk.com
• www.thecompassionateconnection.com
• www.warriorsunmasked.com
• Follow us on Instagram
• Like us on Facebook

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:02 What to expect today
• 1:40 Get to know Allan Bester
• 2:40 A fond memory from Allan and Clint's hockey days
• 7:27 How Allen masked his mental health
• 11:30 When Allen wanted off the ice and into the real world
• 14:19 What it was like being a professional hockey player with anxiety
• 17:12 How medication has helped Allan
• 21:39 Allan's spiral downward
• 24:28 Anxiety on and off the ice
• 31:26 What Allen's life looks like today
• 34:24 Why Chuck looks up to Allen
• 36:15 Closing thoughts and advice