Yesterday, I found myself in the kind of situation you don’t expect—sitting across from none other than John Wick. Yes, that John Wick. No, we weren’t plotting an elaborate takedown of bad guys or planning a high-octane chase through the streets. Instead, we were booked for a one-hour chat, not about revenge or hitmen, but about something equally powerful: mental health.
John had been curious about my Mental Health Warrior Program, which I created based on my personal battles with Bipolar Disorder, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders, and PTSD. He was especially interested in the mindset changes I’d made that turned my mental health from a perceived weakness into my greatest strength. “I’ve been thinking, Bruce,” John said, leaning forward in his chair. “Mental health—it’s the key to winning any challenge, right? If you can manage your emotions, you can take the steps needed to triumph over any challenge.”
“Exactly,” I replied. “The power to manage your emotions doesn’t make you weaker. In fact, it’s the greatest strength we have. Let me walk you through three mindset shifts that helped me see mental health as my ultimate tool for success.”
New Mindset 1: Everything in Life Involves Emotions
I started by explaining that the first major shift was understanding how emotions are involved in everything we do. “John, think about it,” I said. “Every decision we make, every action we take, it’s all driven by our emotions. If we don’t learn to manage them, they manage us—and our actions. I used to be overwhelmed by my emotions, especially anxiety, and that would paralyze me. But once I figured out how to manage my emotions, I realized I could unlock their power. Suddenly, I wasn’t just reacting to life; I was in control.”
I leaned back, letting it sink in. “When I stopped running from my emotions and learned to harness them, I saw huge benefits. I felt more in control, more capable of handling stress, and ultimately more powerful. Instead of being at the mercy of my emotions, I was the one calling the shots as a Mental Health Warrior. That shift has been a game-changer in everything I do.”
John’s Takeaway:
John nodded thoughtfully. “You’re right. Emotions have driven a lot of my decisions—especially anger and grief. Sometimes, they’ve taken control, and that’s when things get messy. But I can see how managing those emotions instead of letting them control me would make me more effective. I can channel that anger when I need it, but if I’m in control, it becomes a tool, not a liability.”
New Mindset 2: Emotions Make Life Meaningful
Next, I explained another key lesson. “Here’s the thing, John—emotions are what give life meaning. If we didn’t have them, everything we did would feel flat and empty. Imagine going on a mission and feeling nothing at all. No anxiety, sure, but also no excitement, no sense of accomplishment. When I learned to manage the tough emotions like anxiety and depression, I found that the positive emotions—joy, satisfaction—became even more meaningful. The lows made the highs better.”
I continued, “Before, I used to think that mental health challenges were just there to knock me down, but now I see them as part of the journey. They’re what make success sweeter. You can’t have victories without struggles. The key is to manage those tough emotions so you can enjoy the good ones to the fullest.”
John’s Takeaway:
John smirked. “You’ve got a point there. I’ve had moments where I felt nothing but rage or grief, and yeah, it sucks the meaning out of everything else. But when I get a win, when I avenge what I’ve lost, it’s not just the satisfaction of the mission; it’s the emotional reward. I never thought about how the lows make the highs better, but that’s exactly what happens. If I didn’t feel anything, I’d be nothing more than a robot. It’s the emotions that give purpose to what I do and make me who I am.”
New Mindset 3: Emotions Drive Motivation
“For the third lesson,” I said, leaning in, “you need to understand that emotions are what motivate us to build the life we want. Whether it’s pursuing a career, developing personal interests, or building meaningful relationships, emotions are the fuel. If we ignore them or don’t learn to manage them, we lose the drive to move forward. When I learned to embrace my emotions instead of fearing them, I found a new sense of motivation. Even on the tough days, I could tap into the emotion that drives me to keep going on my new path.”
I paused for a moment to let that sink in. “Without emotions, we lose our passion, our creativity, and our drive. But when we harness them, they can push us to achieve more than we ever thought possible. My mental health challenges used to drain me, but now they motivate me to take on challenges, like public speaking or writing books. Things that terrified me in the past or were things I never imagined I could do! The secret is learning to manage those emotions, so they work for you, not against you.”
John’s Takeaway:
John’s face grew serious. “I get it. There have been times where I’ve just been going through the motions—no passion, no drive, just survival. But when I tap into why I’m doing this—when I remember what I’ve lost, what I’m fighting for—that’s when I feel alive. Emotions are the engine behind every decision I make. They’ll keep me moving forward, no matter what comes my way.”
Bonus: The Power of Open Conversations
As we neared the end of our conversation, John leaned back and said something that really hit home. “Bruce, what you’re saying makes perfect sense. Managing emotions doesn’t weaken you—it makes you stronger. It’s not about shutting off the emotions, but about controlling them so they push you forward instead of holding you back.”
I smiled. “Exactly. And there’s something else, John. Conversations like this—being able to talk openly about our emotions—that’s the fourth piece of the puzzle. When we can share our emotions without fear or shame, we get even stronger. Talking is a powerful part of being a Mental Health Warrior!”
John checked his watch and sighed. “I hate to cut this short, but I’ve got some... business to attend to.” He stood up, extending his hand for a firm shake. “This conversation, though—it’s helped me see how with a new mindset we can unlock this power in our life. I laughed. “Good to hear. Maybe with this new approach, there’ll be fewer broken noses along the way.” John chuckled as he walked toward the door.
I headed out reminded of just how powerful our emotions are—not just in our struggles, but in our triumphs. When we embrace and manage them as Mental Health Warriors, we unlock the strength to overcome any challenge in life and build the life we really want!
Bruce Schutter
Creator of Mental Health Warrior Program and Challenge Coin
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