Warriors Unmasked

Latest Episodes:

23. Taking Your Journey One Step At A Time with Nick Bingaman Jun 09, 2021

Show notes

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:

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

22. You Are Enough: Overcoming Your Struggle Through Keeping It Simple with Thea Daniels Jun 01, 2021

Show notes

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: Thea@theadaniels.com
Website: http://theadaniels.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheaDanielsDesign
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thea-daniels-a6283123/

LINKS:

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

21. The Power Of Gratitude: Regaining Confidence In Your Mind and Body with Scott Kelsey May 25, 2021

Show notes

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: Scott@shareapy.com
Website: http://www.shareapy.com/
Website: https://movement.com/lo/scott-kelsey/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-kelsey-0aba01

LINKS:

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

20. Being The Friend You Wish You Had with Ben Greiner (The TAD Project) May 18, 2021

Show notes

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:

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

19. Finding The Positive No Matter What with Brent DeNure May 11, 2021

Show notes

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:

LINKS:

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

18. An Easy Homerun: How Anxiety Can't Stop You From Knocking It Out Of The Park with Charlie McConnell May 04, 2021

Show notes

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:

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

18. An Easy Homerun: How Anxiety Can't Stop You From Knocking It Out Of The Park with Charlie McConnell May 04, 2021

Show notes

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.

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:

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

17. Fierce Courage: How Stepping Away And Asking For Help Can Change Your Life with Allan Bester Apr 27, 2021

Show notes

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:

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

16. From Gretzky to Growth: Life After Brain Damage with Scott Kelsey Apr 20, 2021

Show notes

Welcome back to Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Here! If you're new here, one of our taglines is "It's not just a goalie thing." This tagline is near and dear to myself and my co-host Clint Malarchuk's heart because we truly believe that mental health is something that everyone should be aware of. Today's guest is an NHL star but what makes him a true warrior is what he did off the ice.

We have an open conversation with Scott about his time in the NHL and being diagnosed with anxiety and depression and how that affected his later years. You'll hear how Scott handled the aftermath of his injury and how he realized the importance of choosing every day to take new steps towards growth and healing. Learn how Scott changed the mindsets that had him growing from victim to victory, and how he manages to stay on top of his mental health every single day!

You are not alone, to learn more or to connect with Scott and to hear more from Warriors Unmasked follow us on Instagram or connect with us on Facebook.

Always In Your Corner,

Chuck

More of What We Talk About:

How Scott got started in hockey
The advice Scott would give his younger self
Paying attention to those who are growing faster than you
The incident that changed his life
Leaving a legacy through a book
The importance of gratitude in every part of your life
Slowing life down to appreciate what it offers
Acknowledging that mental and physical health go hand in hand
Why you need to find someone to talk to
Tips Scott uses every day to keep a healthy mind
Changing perspective with wins and losses
And much more!

GUEST LINKS:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-kelsey-0aba01
Movement Mortgage Website: https://movement.com/lo/scott-kelsey/
Website: http://www.shareapy.com/
E-mail: Scott@shareapy.com
E-mail: skelsey18@gmail.com

LINKS:

Episode Minute By Minute:

1:58 Meet Scott Kelsey
2:56 What childhood was like for Scott
5:58 Scott's college years at home
7:16 Scott's journey to league hockey
8:05 How one 'no' changes everything
11:22 Scott's memories in professional hockey
15:35 The fateful day that changed everything for Scott
19:52 The hard road to recovery
27:26 What life after a traumatic brain injury is like
29:24 Learning how to enjoy the simple things
34:39 Dealing with depression and anxiety
41:14 The importance of finding someone you trust to talk to
42:21 What Scott's life life is like today
49:55 Closing thoughts and where to find Scott

15. Extreme Resilience: When Everything Seems To Go Wrong with Greg Sieg Apr 13, 2021

Show notes

Welcome back, Chuck here again! As you know, at Warriors Unmasked our core values are courage, perseverance, and mental health. Specifically today we want to talk about perseverance and the resilience needed to keep going. Let's face it, we all have our bad days rights? Well, imagine growing up with an alcoholic father, being diagnosed with multiple chronic medical issues, having two heart attacks, getting a divorce, and losing your mom all before the age 45?

Getting through just one of these devastating situations displays what a truly unbreakable human spirit looks like.

On today's episode, we have 14 year professional Hockey equipment manager, 3 time professional Hockey champion, a good samaritan award winner, a former colleague, and my good friend Greg Sieg on the show. Listen in as we talk about Greg's incredible journey and how he fought off the darkness through each of the above mentioned scenarios and how he remains resilient and persevered through all of these trials and tribulations.

This story is an amazing representation that even when it seems like everything is going wrong, it all works together for our good. From alcoholism at a young age to crohn's disease and an opioid addiction, we have an open conversation on just how hard it was as a professional athlete to find support in some of the toughest moments of his life. You'll learn how Greg pushed past the hardships to come out sober, healing, and ready to live life with as much compassion and support as possible.

Around the 15 minute mark, I get really honest about the importance of reaching out to those who are struggling at a young age. We all know someone who looks like they might be struggling with something bigger than themselves, take courage and don't be afraid to ask the questions that could find them healing and hope quicker. For Greg, it could have changed his whole life, reach out to those who need help today. Have you ever had the need for extreme resilience in your life? We'd love to hear your stories, feel free to DM or private message us in the links below.

Always in your corner,

Chuck

More of What We Talk About: