TRL Host Damien Fahey on Fame, Crippling Anxiety & Finding Himself | Harder to Breathe Podcast

"My life was sleeping on an air mattress in Boston. Six months later, I'm in the middle of Times Square... I would literally run to the bathroom and dry heave out of anxiety." Damien Fahey gets real about the terrifying reality behind the TRL cameras.

He was the face of MTV for years, taking over for Carson Daly on the biggest show in music television. But behind the scenes, Damien Fahey was battling crippling anxiety, imposter syndrome, and a crisis of identity.

In this candid conversation, Damien opens up to host Ryan Dusick about the pressure of the TRL rocket ship, feeling like he had to be someone else, and the shocking realization that fame didn't cure his insecurities—it amplified them. He shares how his childhood shaped his people-pleasing nature, and how therapy helped him find his own voice and advocate for himself.

This is a deep dive into the journey from being the "MTV guy" to finding true fulfillment as a writer for "Family Guy" and learning the power of being present.

📌 In this episode, you’ll hear:
00:00 Intro
35:00 The Radio Audition That Changed Everything
42:30 "I Would Dry Heave From Anxiety" - The Reality of TRL
52:00 Feeling Like an Imposter in Front of Millions
58:15 The Insecurity of Celebrities Behind the Scenes
1:00:15 Losing His Identity on MTV
1:08:15 How a Chaotic Childhood Shaped His Career
1:12:15 The Most Empowering Lesson From Therapy
1:38:00 The Power of Being Present & Finding Fulfillment After Fame

Have you ever felt like you were playing a role to meet others' expectations? Share your experience in the comments below.

📲 Connect with Damien Fahey:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damienfahey/
X (Twitter): https://x.com/DamienFahey

🎧 Listen to the full episode now:
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