June 30, 2023 • 43 mins
Angelica Galluzzo from The Revolutionized Mind podcast joins the conversation today as we explore her personal journey with mental health, from her high school diagnosis of depression and anxiety to her current role as a mental health advocate. The conversation touches on her time as an athlete in college dealing with injuries, body image concerns and difficulties in finding a good support group away from home. We also dive into some mental and physical wellness practices that Angelica partakes in and her opinion on mental health in general!
WARNING: The subject of suicide comes up in this episode. If this is triggering and you no longer feel safe, please seek professional help and phone the suicide help hotline: 1-800-273-8255 and dial 1
Check out The Revolutionized Mind:
https://open.spotify.com/show/7vIoxgH4RLyxAYuYonK393
Check out Angelica's Tedx Talk:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Izy1TgMe-tI&ab_channel=TEDxTalks
Follow TRM on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/therevolutionizedmind/
Follow Jon Cerone and The FEEL FREE Podcast
Parables: Musings From an Addict on the Journey Toward Wholeness on Amazon:
https://a.co/d/iWp2X6D
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https://www.instagram.com/joncerone/?hl=en
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https://www.facebook.com/people/Jon-Cerone/100075476931880/
Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5j0_wqY2yj-2JyXU_27iQ
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https://www.tiktok.com/@joncerone
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Jon (00:06):
Yoyo, welcome back to another episode of the Feel Free
podcast.
It's your boy John Cerrone.
Got a good episode this week.
Got Angelica from therevolutionized Mind pod here to
talk a little bit about herstory, dealing with mental
illness, how she's overcome allof those struggles in life, to
be the dope ass person that sheis.
Uh, you could check out her TEDTalk.
Uh, on YouTube, so that'sawesome.
(00:28):
Uh, give her a follow on allthose social media platforms.
You're gonna see all those linksin the description.
Uh, we're talking mental healthtoday as usual.
Uh, some other good things aboutgetting outta ruts and just our
thoughts on mental healthillness in, in general.
So why not fucking stick around,you know what I'm saying?
Uh, got a couple other guestscoming on in the next couple
weeks.
I got my buddy Brandon here totalk about his new life with
(00:49):
sobriety.
So you don't want to miss thatwhen it's coming out.
And I got a couple other gueststoo, but I am still finalizing
some shit with that.
So without further ado, let'sget into the episode.
So do you want to introduceyourself for everybody out
(01:12):
there?
Angelica (01:13):
Absolutely.
Um, so my name is AngelicaGalluzzo.
I am the podcast host of TheRevolutionized Mind.
And honestly, I just call myselflike a mental health advocate
and a podcast host.
I do this work professionally.
I work for a youth mental healthorganization in Canada as well
as in all my personal life.
(01:34):
I have my podcast, I have mysocial media.
Um, I also recently just gotcertified as a Safe Talk
trainer, so, I'm gonna be doingthat.
My very first one's actuallycoming up in a couple weeks.
So just always looking for newways to keep this mental health
conversation moving forward andusing my story and other
people's stories to reallychange at least one small
(01:58):
perspective of how you feelyourself about mental illness or
someone else out there.
Wow.
Jon (02:03):
That's, that's a lot, honestly.
That's awesome.
Now the, the Safe Talk thing isthat, are those like courses or
something that people can take?
It's
Angelica (02:11):
one workshop, so it's through Living Works Education,
um, which actually isinternationally recognized and
it's just a suicide preventionworkshop that anybody can take.
Jon (02:20):
Wow.
That's awesome.
I'm actually writing that downfor later.
Um, so with all thoseaccomplishments and everything,
and I felt that people who havelike a wellness podcast or
mental health.
Podcast or an advocate ingeneral have obviously gone
through, um, some shit in theirlives, obviously.
So what, what kind of broughtyou to doing the podcast and the
(02:42):
speaking and stuff like, youknow, what, what's your story?
How'd you get here?
Angelica (02:46):
Yeah, I definitely have a lot of shit.
Um, but I always say like thebulk of my mental health
challenges really started inhigh school.
I had stuff as a kid, but kindof irrelevant to the bigger
stuff that I normally talkabout.
But I had a very like typicalstory of that person who, you
know, always looked okay on theoutside, had a million things
(03:08):
going for me, school, soccerfriends, like I was always doing
it all.
But behind closed doors I wasreally struggling with.
I didn't know at the time, but Ifound out later was a major
depression and anxiety disorder.
And it was a while of me juststruggling by myself before I
actually told anyone what wasgoing on.
(03:30):
And I always like hesitate atsaying tell someone.
Cause it wasn't actually metelling someone, it was someone
telling me that things were notthe same that they used to be.
My moods were changing.
Um, also noticing some signs ofself-harm and.
The people closest to me justreally knew that something was
up.
So how my like wellness journeystarted was honestly like one of
(03:54):
the most traumatic nights of mylife, but also one of the best
nights of my life because it wasa time where I was in a very
dark head space.
I had a plan to end my life andmy boyfriend at the time had
actually brought that to myparents, who brought me to the
hospital, who.
Had that whole interventionthing, which was not a great
(04:14):
experience to be completelyhonest.
But it was the first time thatthe people around me really saw
how serious what I was goingthrough was.
Um, so that kind of likekickstarted the therapy, the
medication, the letting peoplearound me know that I was
someone who struggled withmental illness.
And it kind of just went fromthere, like slow peaks and
(04:34):
valleys of like slowly sharingmy story with friends, with
family on social media.
And there was a lot of likesmall steps in between, but
ultimately led me here.
If that answers your question.
Jon (04:46):
Uh, yeah.
A absolutely.
Were you, so were you diagnosedin high school then?
Angelica (04:51):
I was, um, about a year after things started
Jon (04:55):
for me.
Okay.
And, and you obviously startedseeing a therapist at that time
too, right?
Yeah,
Angelica (05:01):
I was bouncing around quite a bit.
Um, gotcha.
Cause it's also that age whereyou're between a child
psychologist and an adult and anadult psychologist.
Um, and I was going away to theStates for school, so I was in a
weird place where nobody wasreally willing to take me on as
a client.
Um, so it was a bunch ofbouncing around and that was
another fun journey in itself.
Jon (05:23):
Of course, I mean, trying to find like a therapist that
works for you though is, is partof the journey too, honestly.
You know, first one you find'snot always gonna be the right
one.
Um, the thoughts about thesuicide that all happened in
high school or did that happenany earlier that you said it was
kind of irrelevant, but.
Were those thoughts taking moreform in high school?
(05:44):
Right.
Yeah.
I
Angelica (05:46):
struggled with other mental health challenges as a
kid, but the suicidal thoughtsdefinitely started in grade
nine.
Jon (05:52):
Okay.
Well, we are glad that you'rehere today, honestly, so you can
inspire other people to live abeautiful life too.
Um, now after the traumaticnight, no, this was in high
school, then you got diagnosed.
What were the steps after thatto making sure it never got that
close again?
Angelica (06:12):
Well, it definitely did get that close.
Again, it wasn't, I always liketo say like, it wasn't that
night here at all, and I wasfine until today, like right.
I.
My diagnosis is clinicaldepression, which means that
like it does come, come and go,and there doesn't always have to
be something major that triggersthose thoughts and feelings.
Um, so I've definitely had rockyexperiences since then.
(06:35):
It's a lot of up and downs withthis particular illness in the
way that it affects me.
Um, so it's been an ongoingjourney of like learning how to
live with it, which is the titleof my TEDx talk, um, because it
was.
Something that I had toacknowledge that it wasn't
really just gonna go away and Iwasn't gonna be able to do
(06:55):
self-care and all these wellnessactivities one time and be fine.
Um, it's kind of just more of aprocess of learning to deal with
it in the best way for you as itcomes up, which obviously looks
different based on where
Jon (07:08):
you're at.
Right?
Yeah.
I've noticed that some of thethings I used to do in high
school or even in college inorder to.
Uh, bring me out of a dark placein self-care.
Don't really translate too wellto being in my late twenties.
So I think you have toconstantly be coming up with new
ways in order to help yourself.
Right.
And innovate like that.
(07:30):
So with all this stuff happeningin high school and then you go
away to school in the States,now this was probably a really
big move for you, right?
Cuz you're from Canada.
Mm-hmm.
Then also in between getting anew therapist and stuff.
So how, how was college for youthen?
How was, how was playing sportsand all this?
Angelica (07:48):
Yeah, so the next biggest part of my story that is
very intertwined with the mentalhealth piece, um, was that I
actually went through five majorknee surgeries in five years.
So that was in between all ofthat.
Um, which means that I did nothave the traditional collegiate
athletic experience.
Um, I actually medicallyredshirted both years that I was
(08:10):
there for two separate injuries.
So that was another big piece ofthe puzzle was growing up this
high level athlete, and soccerbeing such a big part of my life
and my identity.
Losing that, going throughinjuries, dealing with my mental
health.
It was like a lot at once, asI'm sure you can tell.
So yeah, mental health piece didnot get any better at that
(08:32):
point, for sure.
Jon (08:33):
No, that's pretty detrimental, honestly.
And now that.
For five years at school.
So after all the knee surgeriesand everything, have you gone
back to playing at all?
Yeah,
Angelica (08:44):
I still do play today, which I always say like, I'm
just so grateful I can stillwalk.
Um, I went to the University ofCincinnati for two years and
then I transferred back home toa school a little bit closer.
Um, and I did actually continueplaying here.
Um, it's called the O Uua, it'sa Ontario division, so.
I was just really grateful.
(09:05):
Although it sucked, like a hugepart of me was in so much pain
and grieving that life and thatpart of me, um, still being able
to like play here and earnaccolades in this division was
something I didn't give myselfcredit for at the time, but
definitely something that liketook a lot of mental, physical
and emotional strength.
So.
(09:25):
Happy I did that and I'm likestill playing today, which
cannot be like more glad
Jon (09:31):
that I can like still play.
Right.
That's exciting.
And I think you felt like youlost a piece of your identity,
but it was always there thewhole time, you know?
Mm-hmm.
So were the, the years incollege when you were hurt,
going through surgeries andstuff, not playing, were you
seeing therapists at school?
Because I, I know at colleges,especially over in the United
(09:52):
States, uh, they offer free, uh,therapy sessions.
I went to a couple of them aswell, so, mm-hmm.
How was.
How was taking mental healthdifferent away from home for you
than taking mental healthseriously?
When you were around all yoursupport group and stuff, what
are the differences?
Yeah.
Angelica (10:11):
Um, to the first point, so they did hook me up
with a sports psychologist.
I saw a couple of them and.
To be honest, they weren't greatfits for me, so I think I just
had a really bad experience withthem.
I didn't feel like theyunderstood me or the severity of
what I was going through,because at that point it was my
third knee surgery, and that'snot very common, like that
quickly apart and like duringthat major life transition.
(10:35):
Um, so I just felt like I had somuch going on and nobody really
understood it.
They were, they weren't able tohelp me in the way that I
needed.
Um, so that was tough.
And also just being away fromhome.
My whole support system was athome, my friends, my family, my
club team growing up.
So not having them and being ina new environment with new
(10:55):
people who didn't understand mymental health struggles or they
didn't really know what workedfor me or anything like that.
Um, it was a lot of likeisolation.
And then on the opposite side ofthings, like overly putting
myself out there and doingthings to distract myself so
that I wasn't having to likedeal with
Jon (11:13):
everything, right?
And, uh, yeah, that, that's aslippery, slippery slope in and
of itself.
I did the same thing when I wentto school as well.
Um, I actually had to come backto school or back to Chicago
multiple times because mysupport group was here and I
couldn't find a positive supportgroup, not at home.
(11:36):
So it's really, it was reallydifficult, honestly.
Um, now, so.
Where you're at today.
Do you ever overload yourschedule now?
Because I noticed from your TEDtalk you have, you have a couple
very easy steps forunderstanding yourself in the
moment.
Do you still use those stepstoday?
I do.
Angelica (11:57):
Um, some days it's definitely harder though.
Um, like I'm, right now, I'mkind of in a little episode, I
would say I haven't really beendoing the best, if we're being
honest.
Um, so it's definitely harder touse those steps and like, Do the
things to take care of myselfwhen I'm pretty much just
focused on survival.
Um, but if I am in a good headspace, then I definitely am.
(12:19):
I'm such like a list person.
I love writing out.
I always break it down into likemy must dos and can dos.
Cause I think that really helpsme visualize like, these are the
things I have to do today andthese are the things I can do if
I find some extra time orenergy.
Um, so I'm all about like thoselittle strategies.
(12:39):
Trying to stay on like controlis a big thing for me.
So just making sure that I am incontrol of my thoughts and
feelings and kind of like.
Channeling it in a productive
Jon (12:48):
way that's, uh, very difficult.
I actually, after having aconversation with Todd over at
the bunny Hugs and mentalhealth, and talking to my
girlfriend who's a, a specialeducation teacher, they, they
say, I have signs of adhd, so Itotally understand.
You know, trying to wrangle inall of that energy and use it in
a productive manner.
(13:08):
Uh, I actually make too manylists too, so there's just lists
all over my desk, you know, liston list for no reason.
Some of them don't get done, soI totally understand.
Do you ever overload yourschedule because you don't wanna
be sad?
Like, sometimes I feel like Ijust need to keep being busy so
I don't feel sad.
Angelica (13:26):
Absolutely a million percent.
Yes.
Um, that's always been my thingthough.
Like my way of coping was alwaysdistracting and avoiding like
anything that would get meoutside of my thoughts and
feelings.
Um, the majority of the time Iwould say like, I do have like
positive things like growing upit was soccer.
It was like keeping myself asbusy as I could with athletics
(13:49):
or keeping my body moving so Ididn't have to sit still.
Um, and as I'm like growingolder and outta soccer, it's
more just like work, the podcaststuff, social media.
Um, I absolutely do that.
Yeah.
Jon (14:04):
Yeah.
And then we usually workourselves ragged, and then we
find ourselves in a burnout,right?
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
The, the whole moderation thingis very difficult because I'm
either, Filled with energy anddoing a bunch of things on my
list, right?
I'm a go getter or I amcompletely tapped out and I
can't do the simplest of thingsin a day.
(14:25):
Um, so I I totally understandthat.
Uh, do you have anything, sotraditionally right now we're,
we're getting older.
I don't know.
How are, are you coming up on30?
Are you a little older now?
I am
Angelica (14:37):
turning 25
Jon (14:38):
this year.
Lucky.
All right, cool.
I am actually turning 30 nextweek, so Nice.
Um, my knees are hurt.
Everything hurts really bad.
I play a lot of basketball, soI'm injured a lot as well.
I'm.
In this phase where I'm tryingto understand if there's any
other physical wellnesspractices that I can use to get
out of my head right now becausebasketball is too hard on my
(15:00):
knees.
Mm-hmm.
Obviously.
Do you have anything other thansoccer that you do for physical
wellness?
Mm-hmm.
Angelica (15:07):
Um, so running used to be a big thing for me, but like
you said, my knees can no longerhandle it.
Um, so I think especiallythrough covid, I found myself
like just really loving goingfor a walk.
And that has been such like amental shift for me too, because
I think growing up a high levelathlete, like you wouldn't
consider a walk a workout oranything that's like, good for
(15:29):
your body cuz it's, it's just awalk.
But I think it's like thatintentionality piece behind it.
If you.
Tell yourself like, you're goingfor a walk, you're going to get
some movement today.
You can like speed walk if youwant.
Um, but I, I really do enjoywalking.
Cause I think it gets a good mixof like that movement, that
fresh air put on a good song.
(15:49):
Like you can feed your soul andreally just enjoy yourself.
But then on the other side ofthings, I've really gotten into
yoga.
Um, which is funny because as wewere just talking about how like
I always wanted to get out of myhead and like keep myself busy.
So, That was one of the firstthings that was like, prescribed
to me was like, you know, tryyoga, try meditation.
(16:11):
But at that time in my life, Icould not be still for a second.
Like, I went to a yoga class andliterally had a panic attack and
had to leave.
Like I could not be still.
But now it's one of my favoritethings to do and I honestly like
put on shorts for thisrecording.
Cause I'm like, after thisrecording, I need to do yoga
tonight because I, I like feelthat.
(16:32):
Anxiety and like, I need to movemy body in like a calm way.
So I think that just highlightsthat like it really depends on
where you're at in your life andwhat's serving you, because it
absolutely did not serve me backwhen my anxiety was at an all
time high, but now it is like areally good way for me to tap
into myself, practice thatself-awareness and still move my
(16:53):
body in that way that like,Fuels my athletic background.
Jon (16:59):
Right.
And you're honestly answeringthat call to yourself, which is
why you put the shorts on today.
I thought that was interestingcuz you know, you've been
talking about kind of in a ruttright now, I'm in a rut as well.
But you told yourself like, II'm gonna do it anyway tonight.
I'm gonna do this frigging yoga.
Right.
And you have to the i it's onyour have to list honestly,
(17:20):
isn't it?
And canned lists.
Honestly, it's on both lists.
That's how important it is.
Um, so I think answering thatcall to yourself and doing it no
matter what, having that energyis really important.
And now hearing you say that, soI, I was doing Tai Chi for a
couple weeks.
I was trying to do, Like movingmeditation cuz when I'm too
frantic, also the meditation isvery difficult for me.
(17:43):
And, uh, all the things I do arevery fast, you know?
Mm-hmm.
So trying to slow down is verydifficult, but I, I'm probably
gonna take your word for it andtry to go to a couple yoga
classes.
I have friends who are yogateachers.
They tell me to come all thetime, you know, but we always
make excuses for everything whenwe're in ruts.
Like, I'm too tired, uh, I don'thave enough money, or, you know,
(18:05):
I'm just, I just don't feel likeit.
But, uh, I think you gottaoutsmart yourself when you're in
a rut, right?
Angelica (18:12):
Trial and error too.
Like if you go to that yogaclass and you hate it, then
check it off your list and trysomething else.
Like, you don't have to punishyourself if something doesn't
work.
Even sometimes, like if I'm justcleaning, doing household
chores, you can tell yourselflike, this is for movement.
You can like squat every timeyou go to pick something up.
Like you can really make it yourown.
(18:32):
And it.
I think that phrase of like, Istarted calling it movement
rather than exercise or workingout because that really helps my
like body image side of life.
So that's been a good switch.
Jon (18:45):
I actually glossed over that.
The body image thing.
Was that linked to yourdepression?
Did those things work in tandem
Angelica (18:54):
in a short, no, but I can see how there was, um,
intertwined in this, um, thebody image.
Started, it was kind of a mix oflike social media and social
comparison and editing picturesand seeing other people online
and all of that that I am nowsuper, super passionate about
(19:16):
because of how much that didaffect me.
Um, but then also the entrypiece as well, which I think I
started to realize a little bitlater because.
If you know, like when you tearan ACL, for example, you like
lose your whole quad, like allyour muscle just disappears
within the first couple weekscuz you can't use it.
And that was so hard for me tolike, I think it was a lot of
(19:37):
the back, back and forth.
Like I would lose it, build itup again, then it would
disappear.
And I was like, okay, back inthe gym, build it up.
And it was a lot of like tryingto get used to the way that my
body looks and it just keptchanging against my will.
Like I didn't have control overit, which really stressed me
out.
So, I think those were like thetwo biggest pieces that played
Jon (19:56):
into that.
That's, I was actually going toask you about the social media
part.
Uh, so.
On a lot of my episodes, I talkabout the dangers of social
media and you know, if I didn'thave this podcast or write a
book, I probably wouldn't havesocial media for those obvious
reasons.
So that's, that's great thatyou're an advocate about it to
(20:17):
help people understand that.
And yeah, that's a crazy thingto worry about too, the whole
body image thing.
Now, I've had people come on totalk about body dysmorphia, and
that was mostly like working outstuff.
It was crazy because the guy wasin super good shape, you know,
but he was dealing with thisbody dysmorphia because of
(20:38):
seeing people on social media orseeing other people out in
public.
So I can, I can understand howthat can destroy you, you know?
Um, and this was all probablyrecently, like dealing with your
injuries and stuff like that.
So you don't deal with any ofthe body image stuff right now,
right?
Angelica (20:55):
Not as much.
I definitely still do.
I think there's always gonna bea little hint to that once it's
like taken up so much of yourbrain space and if you're always
on social media.
I think that's just anunfortunate side effect.
Um, but it's definitely gotten alot better than it was.
Jon (21:11):
That's good.
So you, you've been doing yourhealing work for that.
That's awesome.
Um, slowly, slowly.
But you know, it's, I think, uh,Todd told me one day it's all
about progress, not perfection.
And I'm like, damn, you'retotally right man.
That's some good shit rightthere.
Um, which also brings me to mynext point.
So what do you do for mentalhealth practices then?
(21:33):
So I remember in your TED Talkyou talked about, uh,
affirmations.
Do you do journaling?
I know you do yoga.
Yoga.
I'd considered to be a mentalhealth and a physical practice
too.
Mm-hmm.
Um, so are there any likespecific mental health practices
that you do?
Angelica (21:49):
Yeah.
Um, this is wild that we're likereferencing so much of the TED
Talk, but um, I say in there,like, I also break it down as
like mind, body, and soul.
So I try to be reallyintentional and aware about like
what coping strategy I'mchoosing.
So I know it.
I think just like when you tellyourself that, you trick
(22:09):
yourself into thinking it'sdoing more than it is.
Um, work harder or, sorry,worse, harder, not harder.
Um, So a big thing for me isreading for sure.
I am not a big journaler.
I've tried to get into itseveral times.
Not for me, but like I'll haverandom bursts where I just feel
like writing stuff down or do abrain dump, and those really
(22:31):
help, but not my go-to.
Um, so reading is good for mebecause I do kind of view that
as a distraction.
It's like getting out of yourhead and into another world, or
a new idea, new story.
So I'm all about that.
Um, physical, like my bodyportion of that is like anything
movement related, like walking,yoga for sure, playing sports,
(22:54):
playing with my dog, likeliterally anything.
Um, and then that soul piece islike doing things that really
fill you up.
So whether that's like hangingout with friends or watching a
funny TV show, just laughing mybutt off by myself, like really
just, I think it's how I tellmyself what I'm doing and you
can make anything so.
(23:15):
Like you can call orderingMcDonald's, sitting in bed, like
your soul portion.
It's, and then that just likechanges the way that it affects
you,
Jon (23:24):
I think.
I think you mentioned it as, uh,that intent, right?
That intentionality for doingthings right.
Yeah.
So you can make anything aboutthe soul, right?
Yeah, like I said, I actuallyre-watched the TED Talks, so
that's why I'm referencing it alot because it was awesome.
Um, thank you.
I appreciate it.
Yeah, I'll be dropping links forit as well.
Um, so I also noticed that youwent to a concert the other
(23:48):
weekend too, so I just had.
Was it?
Was it a good concert
Angelica (23:53):
though?
It was.
My aunt actually won tickets onthe radio and she couldn't go,
so we found out like the day ofand we're like, oh crap, let's
go.
Jon (24:01):
Oh, nice.
Did you like the artist?
At least it was
Angelica (24:05):
Charlie Poth.
Do you know who that
Jon (24:06):
is?
I know Charlie Po.
Yeah.
Yeah,
Angelica (24:08):
so I only really know, sorry, this isn't awkward to
say, but I only know a couple ofhis songs.
So some of it was a little notsuper fun, but we still had a
good time.
Jon (24:19):
Well, that's good.
I mean, it was a free show too,right?
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
So, uh, last week I just hadsome buddies on, uh, they're in
a band, uh, my buddy's fromDetroit, Michigan, and they're
talking about the importance ofmusic as hobbies and also like
seeing live music.
So I would definitely put seeinglive music on a part for your
soul as well.
(24:39):
Mm-hmm.
Absolutely.
Or just doing somethingimpulsive and fun, right?
Mm-hmm.
Um, which is exactly what
Angelica (24:45):
that was.
Jon (24:47):
It's a free show too.
Gotta love it.
So what are your thoughts onmental health in general?
I know we're in differentcountries right now, so although
we're only separated by animaginary line that really
important people came up withlike a border.
Um, we're on the same continentand I think mental health is
taken differently in, in a lotof countries, actually, all of
them.
Right.
Do you notice that it's beentaken more seriously in Canada
(25:11):
than it has been previously?
It's a
Angelica (25:14):
loaded question.
It's a simple question, but it'sloaded cuz I think you have to
look at the mental healthconversation from so many
different lenses.
Um, there's like the stigmapiece and how, you know,
podcasts like this exists andpeople are talking about it.
There's social media pages, um,people have like mental health
days at work.
Mental health is listed as aresource on like school
(25:35):
websites.
So, All of that has definitelycome very far.
None of that was really a thingback when I was in high school,
like when my struggles firststarted.
So on that note, like yes, ithas improved, has come a long
way, but the stigma stillexists.
People are still very hesitantabout the word therapy,
medication, complex mentalillnesses.
(25:57):
People aren't really willing toaccept things like schizophrenia
or bipolar disorder because theydon't understand it and.
All they know is pretty muchfrom the media or these
inherited beliefs that reallypaint them in a negative light.
So there's that side, and thenthere's like the actual
healthcare side and receivingtherapy and treatment.
(26:18):
And that looks different, ofcourse, where you're at in the
world based on what insuranceyou have, what your healthcare
system looks like.
And in Canada, I think it'ssometimes a little bit deceiving
because we do have freehealthcare.
Um, but the free resources forcounseling and things are often,
like year long waits, um, prettyinaccessible to people.
(26:38):
The ones that you will get rightaway are ones that you have to
pay for, and not many insurancescover that, or they give you
very little, um, which I know ispretty common to the states as
well.
So, yeah, it's.
I think there's so many ways youcan break it down, like public
policy advocacy as well,curriculum in schools.
So it, it's such a bigconversation.
Jon (27:01):
So in order to not make it so loaded, do you think we're
heading in the right directionthen?
I definitely think we are.
Angelica (27:10):
I think we are moving in a good way.
Still a lot of little yellowflags along the road, I think,
because sometimes it comes withthat, like over awareness and
over education slash likeinappropriate education
misinformation that's sharedonline and I think that really
gets in people's heads and.
(27:32):
Clouds over, like the pointwe're trying to get across.
So yes, I think we do, but Ithink we are still going to,
it's not gonna be like one bighappy leap.
There's still bumps we need toget
Jon (27:43):
over, right?
But I mean, there's people likeyou and Todd and, and myself and
other people I've met that aretrying to get us in the right
direction and have a stay in theright direction, I should say.
I even thought it was weird,like some family members.
Just thought I partied too muchwhen I, you know, I was going
through active addiction.
They're just like, well, whydon't you just stop?
You know, and it's, I've come tonotice over the years that it is
(28:05):
a disease, you know?
And the media does.
And the media in both countries,in all countries portrays people
with mental illness as likethese lepers, you know, and, you
know, everyone really just needsa, a helping hand sometimes too.
So the one thing that isalarming is the conversation
around men's mental health.
(28:25):
And I've been doing a littleresearch into that on social
media as well.
Um, what do you think we can doto help the men out here?
You should
Angelica (28:35):
have Ryan Forsyth on your podcast.
Jon (28:38):
I was talking to him, actually.
Oh, really?
Okay.
Yeah, I hit him up.
I've
Angelica (28:42):
had him on my podcast twice.
He is such an amazing men'smental health advocate, but not
just that, just a person.
Um, but I've learned so muchfrom him and the few
conversations I've had, and justfrom his posts.
I think you can reallyunderstand this issue talking to
any men in your life.
Like I grew up, I have twobrothers, I have a dad, I have
lots of male role models aroundme.
(29:04):
Um, and it was very clear themessaging that they received
that they were not allowed toexpress their emotions.
It's very tied into likesexuality and masculinity, that
if you show any sign of weaknessor ask for help, then.
If you're called gay forwhatever reason, and I think
that just ties into a wholenother issue of sexuality in
(29:26):
general.
But, um, I think there's a lotwe can do to support the men in
our lives, and that's like firstand foremost just giving them
space.
A safe space to express theiremotions, whether that's with a
romantic partner, a best friend,a sibling, really just showing
them that it is okay to feel, totalk about feelings and that you
(29:47):
don't have to man up all thetime and be this big alpha male.
Like it's okay to slow down andbe a human sometimes.
So I think a lot can happen justfrom giving young boys that
messaging.
Um, so that they know that whatmaybe you grew up with and what
other men in my life have grownup with is not.
Jon (30:08):
The be all, end all right.
And I, I'm definitely a part ofthat.
Obviously, you know, I, I callit generational, uh, gender
conditioning.
What has happened in terms ofthat?
I never understood that, cuz I,I went to a private school, uh,
for the majority of my life andso I was a little sheltered and
I didn't even hear the, uh, theword, um, Uh, faggot.
(30:30):
I didn't, I didn't even hearthat until I was like 14 and
somebody called me and I wasjust like, I, I was like thrown
back.
I'm, and it was just because Iwas like a bubbly kid, you know,
and I played Pokemon, right.
And they'll, they'll just throwthat word out because I'm like,
happy.
Right?
And I never understood that.
And that, that also likespiraled obviously with the
(30:52):
drugs and stuff later on.
Having that conversation withguys with vulnerability, I think
sharing my story and also, um,the, the guy you mentioned too,
to share that story with theyounger men and boys and to tell
people it's okay to talk aboutthis stuff.
I think that's gonna be a bighelp in reducing suicide rates
(31:12):
in men.
And, um, obviously opening thedoor for a better talk on that.
So, but we, we got a long way togo.
I know we're in the rightdirection.
Um, mm-hmm.
So what else do you have plannedfor your brand?
What is on Angelica's plate?
Are you gonna be podcasting infive years from now?
Writing a book, more Ted Talks?
(31:33):
What are you gonna be doing?
Angelica (31:36):
Uh, that's a hard question.
Truthfully, I don't know.
Um, I am very new in my like,professional career.
I just graduated two years agoand I started working full time.
Before I did that, I also, Istarted my master's cause I
thought I wanted to be acounselor, but then I ended up
dropping out because the programdidn't feel right for me.
(31:59):
Um, so I think that has beenlike a little shift cause I
thought I was still gonna be inschool at this point in my life.
Um, so I think I'm trying to bemore, go with the flow and less
like, have a plan for everythingbecause that's how I've been my
whole life.
Um, but I.
Can say that I like, definitelyenjoy where I'm at now.
I love podcasting.
(32:21):
I love having a community onlinethat like allows me to show up
in the way that I do.
And I've gotten a lot more likespeaking engagements this year.
Um, just that like schools andthings.
And I found that like I, Igenuinely love, love doing that.
Just connecting with people,sharing my stories, sharing a
lot about like mindsets andperspectives that I've learned
(32:43):
through.
Some of the shit that I've hadto deal with and really just
trying to like show a piece ofmyself in other people and know
that like you're not alone.
It is possible to get throughthis really tough time.
So yeah, I don't have any exactplans.
I would like to write a book oneday.
I've been told that I should.
(33:03):
She's finding the time to dothat.
So yeah, we'll see what happens.
But I think right now I'mcontinuing on.
Where I'm at.
Jon (33:11):
I think you should definitely write a book and keep
podcasting if that meansanything.
Angelica (33:16):
It does.
It's what I wanna do.
Honestly, I like you said at thebeginning, you work cuz you have
to pay the bills, but this islike definitely what brings me
the most passion
Jon (33:26):
and fulfillment, changing people's lives, helping people
understand that, you know, likeyou said, we're not alone in
this.
So that, that's huge.
Yeah, working a job to pay thebills and then coming back to do
something like creative, likethis is very inspiring.
Um, do you speak at schools alot
Angelica (33:43):
now?
Not as much as I'd like to.
Um, honestly, what I do for mylike, professional job is like
the mental health presentation,so I get to do a bit of both,
which I like.
So I, I do love my job.
It's not just to pay the bills.
I am still in like that helpingrole, which I really enjoy.
Um, but yeah.
You know what I mean?
Jon (34:03):
Right, right, right.
So obviously you wanna speak atmore schools then.
Do you want to get out theremore?
I.
Yeah, I think the, the key tounderstanding the youth right
now is probably the mostimportant thing for, for you and
for, uh, myself and the peoplearound me.
We, we were at a really weirdtime where technology was, you
know, we, we grew up a littlebit without it.
(34:26):
Then we got hit with it.
But like for the generationsbeneath us that have literally
been raised with it, I'm, I'mvery concerned.
Obviously we, we touched alittle bit on social media,
which man, even the people whoare using it, we don't even
understand how dangerous it is.
And we're letting like 10 yearolds have Instagrams.
So I think.
What you're doing, speaking atschools and also everything else
(34:49):
that you're doing is, is, isawesome.
Honestly, it's, it's an honor tohave you on here because I, I
wish that I could get out theremore like you and Todd.
Do you guys inspire me a lot soI can get out there and speak
like you guys?
Angelica (35:01):
Well, thanks.
Um, but yeah, just quickly onthat social media piece, it is
such a scary concept knowingthat like, We don't even know
how it's gonna affect us.
I think we were at least alittle bit older before
technology became everything inour daily lives, but Right.
It's gonna be an interestingtransition.
Um, Especially just like in apost covid world.
(35:24):
I think that definitely impacted
Jon (35:26):
things as well.
Oh, totally.
Now think about this.
So in the fifties, or I think itwas before that they used to do
ads for cigarettes, right?
And they're like, yeah, doctorsare like, smoke one of these a
day.
Okay.
And now like 60, 70 years later,they're like, You're gonna die
if you do this.
Right?
So if we're just using thesocial media all willy-nilly,
(35:49):
and I'm not saying that theytold like two or three year olds
to have social media like acigarette, you know, but I, I
still think that at the age of12, it's really bad to have them
so enveloped in a perception ofthemselves that they don't even
understand, you know?
Mm-hmm.
Angelica (36:06):
Just like general development, like that's not
normal, like Right.
We don't know how it's gonnaaffect our brains in the way we
develop socially because we'reconnected online and we're not
actually having face-to-faceinteractions.
Like, that's so scary
Jon (36:20):
to think about.
I know.
I, it's, it's pretty fucked up,honestly.
Um, I, yeah, it, it scares theshit outta me, I'll be honest
with you.
Cuz there's nothing moredangerous than, uh, a species
of.
You know, intelligent beings whobecome extremely nihilistic.
You know, in my opinion, I thinkthat's what's happening with
(36:41):
technology, or at least theyounger kids.
So it's
Angelica (36:45):
like just technology in everyday life too.
Like at my sushi place, they nowhave a robot that serves you and
it's like programmed to come toyour table.
You pick your food off the tray.
It goes back to the next table.
Like that is so scary.
I don't like just thinkingabout, I'm like terrified that
robots are gonna take over andwe're all gonna die.
So, oh God, that's my deepest,darkest fear.
Jon (37:07):
I mean, shit, if they're bringing me sushi though, uh, I
love sushi, so I
Angelica (37:13):
love them.
I love the robots for bringingme sushi, but the fact that they
can do that and they know whereto go.
How to like sense differentthings.
It's like honestly
Jon (37:22):
terrifying.
Yep.
Yes it is.
And we're, we're pretty muchright there, honestly.
And with AI too.
That's a whole notherconversation.
Don't get me started on that.
My, uh, my girlfriend comes homeand tells me that they, they
have tools now for putting kids'papers into a, a generator that.
Basically tells them if theyused an AI tool to write like a
(37:45):
three page essay.
I'm like, that's fucking crazy,dude.
Like, how can you not write alittle paper?
Like people are being so lazyright now, you know?
Angelica (37:54):
It's a crutch.
It literally becomes a crutchand then people forget how to
stop, start using their brains.
It's, ugh, this is a wholenother topic.
It gets me So heated
Jon (38:05):
technology and, and AI and social media.
Yeah.
Three worst spheres.
So, Honestly, those three, threethings are, uh, top tier bad,
honestly.
So I think we touched on a lotof really good things today.
Mm-hmm.
Do you have any tips for anybodyout there who might be
struggling with some shit?
Angelica (38:26):
Yes.
Um, I think it's alwaysimportant to first just like
acknowledge the shit if you'regoing through a tough time.
If you've lost someone, ifyou're going through mental
health challenges, like it'sokay to just say like, Hey, I'm
going through something rightnow.
I'm not gonna be at my best.
It's okay to kind of likeexperience these.
(38:47):
Trials and tribulationsthroughout life.
Um, I think that really givesyou space at the beginning to
feel what you need to feel, butalso like not judge yourself for
it, which helps you in kind ofthat next step of the healing
journey, which is like whenyou're ready to take the steps.
Say if you've been in bed forthree days and like today, you
feel ready to do yoga.
(39:09):
Like, put on your pair ofshorts, tell yourself that
you're gonna do this.
It's often those like small twominutes of effort, um, getting
outta bed, changing yourclothes, washing your face,
eating something, drinkingwater.
Like if you can just tellyourself to keep doing that,
like next hard, simple, but hardthing, um, you can really just
(39:30):
keep setting yourself up forthat.
Again, it's constantly that nextstage and investing in like your
future self, which is hard.
Especially if, like for me,dealing with the depression,
like when that black cloud isthere, you really can't see past
that current horrible moment.
But if you can find like thatlittle, little burst of energy
or that little thing that makesyou smile, like really hang onto
(39:53):
that, um, and use that to youradvantage when you need it,
which is often like the next dayor if like you're just needing
some sort of inspiration.
I.
Um, it is there.
Sometimes you just have to looka little bit harder.
Jon (40:05):
Shit, I'm honest.
I think I gotta go home andactually do everything you just
said, honestly.
Angelica (40:12):
Um, I think that's where I'm at today cuz like,
it's been like, I, like I textedyou today, I was like, I need to
change outta my pa cause I wasin my pajamas all day and I.
My routine this week has been sobad cause I've just been in this
rut.
Um, and that's why today I waslike, I feel like I need to move
my body.
I was doing this podcast, I'mlike, let me shower, let me look
like a human, um, and then likedo something for me, which is
(40:35):
gonna be yoga.
So I'm excited
Jon (40:37):
to do it, but it was just those two minutes of effort,
like you said, that you neededto do.
Now you're excited to do someyoga?
I actually went and hoopedyesterday.
Um, I hadn't hooped in like amonth, and luckily no one's in
the gym because if there's likefive on five going on, like I'm
a hundred percent.
Adrenaline junkie.
So I'm, I'm jumping in.
(40:58):
Right.
So it was good that nobody wasthere, cuz I got to like, take
it slow, you know, and practicemy shooting and whatnot.
Um, I need, I, I'm right therewith you.
I need to take some efforttonight to make some really
doable lists.
You know, cuz sometimes I gooverboard with my list, you
know, I'll take a sheet of paperand make a list of things that
(41:20):
don't all need to be done inthat day, you know?
Mm-hmm.
But then I like worry about thefuture cuz I made that list, you
know?
So.
Mm-hmm.
I think honestly, try
Angelica (41:29):
the must do can do.
It's a lifesaver, like it'sreally helpful for deadlines.
Like for me, I normally get myepisodes out Friday, so I know
like these are the things I needto do today and these are the
things that like I could do.
But it really just helps you, Ithink, spare your mental
Jon (41:47):
energy.
Right.
You know what, I'm gonna givethat a shot tonight.
I'm gonna take your word for it.
It helps me.
Yeah.
I, I think we all need help.
I need some help.
So, you know, I think it's crazythat we're both in a rut right
now while we're like recordingthis.
So hopefully we inspire somepeople to get up there and live
a better life cuz that's what Ineed right now.
(42:09):
Mm-hmm.
So I really appreciate youcoming out, talking tonight.
This was awesome.
And thank you.
Yeah, I, yeah.
Honestly, I'm honored to haveyou on here.
If you haven't already, gofollow her on all the social
media platforms.
Check out her TED Talk.
I'm putting the link in thedescription.
It's fucking awesome.
So watch the Ted Talk, followher and listen to the
(42:32):
revolutionized mind too, cuzthere's some damn good episodes
out there.
So thank you.
No problem.
I appreciate everybody comingout.
Y'all have a good rest of yourday, weekend.
Good.
Start to your week and stay upand feel free.
Yoyo, welcome back to another episode of the Feel Free
podcast.
It's your boy John Cerrone.
Got a good episode this week.
Got Angelica from therevolutionized Mind pod here to
talk a little bit about herstory, dealing with mental
illness, how she's overcome allof those struggles in life, to
be the dope ass person that sheis.
Uh, you could check out her TEDTalk.
Uh, on YouTube, so that'sawesome.
(00:28):
Uh, give her a follow on allthose social media platforms.
You're gonna see all those linksin the description.
Uh, we're talking mental healthtoday as usual.
Uh, some other good things aboutgetting outta ruts and just our
thoughts on mental healthillness in, in general.
So why not fucking stick around,you know what I'm saying?
Uh, got a couple other guestscoming on in the next couple
weeks.
I got my buddy Brandon here totalk about his new life with
(00:49):
sobriety.
So you don't want to miss thatwhen it's coming out.
And I got a couple other gueststoo, but I am still finalizing
some shit with that.
So without further ado, let'sget into the episode.
So do you want to introduceyourself for everybody out
(01:12):
there?
Angelica (01:13):
Absolutely.
Um, so my name is AngelicaGalluzzo.
I am the podcast host of TheRevolutionized Mind.
And honestly, I just call myselflike a mental health advocate
and a podcast host.
I do this work professionally.
I work for a youth mental healthorganization in Canada as well
as in all my personal life.
(01:34):
I have my podcast, I have mysocial media.
Um, I also recently just gotcertified as a Safe Talk
trainer, so, I'm gonna be doingthat.
My very first one's actuallycoming up in a couple weeks.
So just always looking for newways to keep this mental health
conversation moving forward andusing my story and other
people's stories to reallychange at least one small
(01:58):
perspective of how you feelyourself about mental illness or
someone else out there.
Wow.
Jon (02:03):
That's, that's a lot, honestly.
That's awesome.
Now the, the Safe Talk thing isthat, are those like courses or
something that people can take?
It's
Angelica (02:11):
one workshop, so it's through Living Works Education,
um, which actually isinternationally recognized and
it's just a suicide preventionworkshop that anybody can take.
Jon (02:20):
Wow.
That's awesome.
I'm actually writing that downfor later.
Um, so with all thoseaccomplishments and everything,
and I felt that people who havelike a wellness podcast or
mental health.
Podcast or an advocate ingeneral have obviously gone
through, um, some shit in theirlives, obviously.
So what, what kind of broughtyou to doing the podcast and the
(02:42):
speaking and stuff like, youknow, what, what's your story?
How'd you get here?
Angelica (02:46):
Yeah, I definitely have a lot of shit.
Um, but I always say like thebulk of my mental health
challenges really started inhigh school.
I had stuff as a kid, but kindof irrelevant to the bigger
stuff that I normally talkabout.
But I had a very like typicalstory of that person who, you
know, always looked okay on theoutside, had a million things
(03:08):
going for me, school, soccerfriends, like I was always doing
it all.
But behind closed doors I wasreally struggling with.
I didn't know at the time, but Ifound out later was a major
depression and anxiety disorder.
And it was a while of me juststruggling by myself before I
actually told anyone what wasgoing on.
(03:30):
And I always like hesitate atsaying tell someone.
Cause it wasn't actually metelling someone, it was someone
telling me that things were notthe same that they used to be.
My moods were changing.
Um, also noticing some signs ofself-harm and.
The people closest to me justreally knew that something was
up.
So how my like wellness journeystarted was honestly like one of
(03:54):
the most traumatic nights of mylife, but also one of the best
nights of my life because it wasa time where I was in a very
dark head space.
I had a plan to end my life andmy boyfriend at the time had
actually brought that to myparents, who brought me to the
hospital, who.
Had that whole interventionthing, which was not a great
(04:14):
experience to be completelyhonest.
But it was the first time thatthe people around me really saw
how serious what I was goingthrough was.
Um, so that kind of likekickstarted the therapy, the
medication, the letting peoplearound me know that I was
someone who struggled withmental illness.
And it kind of just went fromthere, like slow peaks and
(04:34):
valleys of like slowly sharingmy story with friends, with
family on social media.
And there was a lot of likesmall steps in between, but
ultimately led me here.
If that answers your question.
Jon (04:46):
Uh, yeah.
A absolutely.
Were you, so were you diagnosedin high school then?
Angelica (04:51):
I was, um, about a year after things started
Jon (04:55):
for me.
Okay.
And, and you obviously startedseeing a therapist at that time
too, right?
Yeah,
Angelica (05:01):
I was bouncing around quite a bit.
Um, gotcha.
Cause it's also that age whereyou're between a child
psychologist and an adult and anadult psychologist.
Um, and I was going away to theStates for school, so I was in a
weird place where nobody wasreally willing to take me on as
a client.
Um, so it was a bunch ofbouncing around and that was
another fun journey in itself.
Jon (05:23):
Of course, I mean, trying to find like a therapist that
works for you though is, is partof the journey too, honestly.
You know, first one you find'snot always gonna be the right
one.
Um, the thoughts about thesuicide that all happened in
high school or did that happenany earlier that you said it was
kind of irrelevant, but.
Were those thoughts taking moreform in high school?
(05:44):
Right.
Yeah.
I
Angelica (05:46):
struggled with other mental health challenges as a
kid, but the suicidal thoughtsdefinitely started in grade
nine.
Jon (05:52):
Okay.
Well, we are glad that you'rehere today, honestly, so you can
inspire other people to live abeautiful life too.
Um, now after the traumaticnight, no, this was in high
school, then you got diagnosed.
What were the steps after thatto making sure it never got that
close again?
Angelica (06:12):
Well, it definitely did get that close.
Again, it wasn't, I always liketo say like, it wasn't that
night here at all, and I wasfine until today, like right.
I.
My diagnosis is clinicaldepression, which means that
like it does come, come and go,and there doesn't always have to
be something major that triggersthose thoughts and feelings.
Um, so I've definitely had rockyexperiences since then.
(06:35):
It's a lot of up and downs withthis particular illness in the
way that it affects me.
Um, so it's been an ongoingjourney of like learning how to
live with it, which is the titleof my TEDx talk, um, because it
was.
Something that I had toacknowledge that it wasn't
really just gonna go away and Iwasn't gonna be able to do
(06:55):
self-care and all these wellnessactivities one time and be fine.
Um, it's kind of just more of aprocess of learning to deal with
it in the best way for you as itcomes up, which obviously looks
different based on where
Jon (07:08):
you're at.
Right?
Yeah.
I've noticed that some of thethings I used to do in high
school or even in college inorder to.
Uh, bring me out of a dark placein self-care.
Don't really translate too wellto being in my late twenties.
So I think you have toconstantly be coming up with new
ways in order to help yourself.
Right.
And innovate like that.
(07:30):
So with all this stuff happeningin high school and then you go
away to school in the States,now this was probably a really
big move for you, right?
Cuz you're from Canada.
Mm-hmm.
Then also in between getting anew therapist and stuff.
So how, how was college for youthen?
How was, how was playing sportsand all this?
Angelica (07:48):
Yeah, so the next biggest part of my story that is
very intertwined with the mentalhealth piece, um, was that I
actually went through five majorknee surgeries in five years.
So that was in between all ofthat.
Um, which means that I did nothave the traditional collegiate
athletic experience.
Um, I actually medicallyredshirted both years that I was
(08:10):
there for two separate injuries.
So that was another big piece ofthe puzzle was growing up this
high level athlete, and soccerbeing such a big part of my life
and my identity.
Losing that, going throughinjuries, dealing with my mental
health.
It was like a lot at once, asI'm sure you can tell.
So yeah, mental health piece didnot get any better at that
(08:32):
point, for sure.
Jon (08:33):
No, that's pretty detrimental, honestly.
And now that.
For five years at school.
So after all the knee surgeriesand everything, have you gone
back to playing at all?
Yeah,
Angelica (08:44):
I still do play today, which I always say like, I'm
just so grateful I can stillwalk.
Um, I went to the University ofCincinnati for two years and
then I transferred back home toa school a little bit closer.
Um, and I did actually continueplaying here.
Um, it's called the O Uua, it'sa Ontario division, so.
I was just really grateful.
(09:05):
Although it sucked, like a hugepart of me was in so much pain
and grieving that life and thatpart of me, um, still being able
to like play here and earnaccolades in this division was
something I didn't give myselfcredit for at the time, but
definitely something that liketook a lot of mental, physical
and emotional strength.
So.
(09:25):
Happy I did that and I'm likestill playing today, which
cannot be like more glad
Jon (09:31):
that I can like still play.
Right.
That's exciting.
And I think you felt like youlost a piece of your identity,
but it was always there thewhole time, you know?
Mm-hmm.
So were the, the years incollege when you were hurt,
going through surgeries andstuff, not playing, were you
seeing therapists at school?
Because I, I know at colleges,especially over in the United
(09:52):
States, uh, they offer free, uh,therapy sessions.
I went to a couple of them aswell, so, mm-hmm.
How was.
How was taking mental healthdifferent away from home for you
than taking mental healthseriously?
When you were around all yoursupport group and stuff, what
are the differences?
Yeah.
Angelica (10:11):
Um, to the first point, so they did hook me up
with a sports psychologist.
I saw a couple of them and.
To be honest, they weren't greatfits for me, so I think I just
had a really bad experience withthem.
I didn't feel like theyunderstood me or the severity of
what I was going through,because at that point it was my
third knee surgery, and that'snot very common, like that
quickly apart and like duringthat major life transition.
(10:35):
Um, so I just felt like I had somuch going on and nobody really
understood it.
They were, they weren't able tohelp me in the way that I
needed.
Um, so that was tough.
And also just being away fromhome.
My whole support system was athome, my friends, my family, my
club team growing up.
So not having them and being ina new environment with new
(10:55):
people who didn't understand mymental health struggles or they
didn't really know what workedfor me or anything like that.
Um, it was a lot of likeisolation.
And then on the opposite side ofthings, like overly putting
myself out there and doingthings to distract myself so
that I wasn't having to likedeal with
Jon (11:13):
everything, right?
And, uh, yeah, that, that's aslippery, slippery slope in and
of itself.
I did the same thing when I wentto school as well.
Um, I actually had to come backto school or back to Chicago
multiple times because mysupport group was here and I
couldn't find a positive supportgroup, not at home.
(11:36):
So it's really, it was reallydifficult, honestly.
Um, now, so.
Where you're at today.
Do you ever overload yourschedule now?
Because I noticed from your TEDtalk you have, you have a couple
very easy steps forunderstanding yourself in the
moment.
Do you still use those stepstoday?
I do.
Angelica (11:57):
Um, some days it's definitely harder though.
Um, like I'm, right now, I'mkind of in a little episode, I
would say I haven't really beendoing the best, if we're being
honest.
Um, so it's definitely harder touse those steps and like, Do the
things to take care of myselfwhen I'm pretty much just
focused on survival.
Um, but if I am in a good headspace, then I definitely am.
(12:19):
I'm such like a list person.
I love writing out.
I always break it down into likemy must dos and can dos.
Cause I think that really helpsme visualize like, these are the
things I have to do today andthese are the things I can do if
I find some extra time orenergy.
Um, so I'm all about like thoselittle strategies.
(12:39):
Trying to stay on like controlis a big thing for me.
So just making sure that I am incontrol of my thoughts and
feelings and kind of like.
Channeling it in a productive
Jon (12:48):
way that's, uh, very difficult.
I actually, after having aconversation with Todd over at
the bunny Hugs and mentalhealth, and talking to my
girlfriend who's a, a specialeducation teacher, they, they
say, I have signs of adhd, so Itotally understand.
You know, trying to wrangle inall of that energy and use it in
a productive manner.
(13:08):
Uh, I actually make too manylists too, so there's just lists
all over my desk, you know, liston list for no reason.
Some of them don't get done, soI totally understand.
Do you ever overload yourschedule because you don't wanna
be sad?
Like, sometimes I feel like Ijust need to keep being busy so
I don't feel sad.
Angelica (13:26):
Absolutely a million percent.
Yes.
Um, that's always been my thingthough.
Like my way of coping was alwaysdistracting and avoiding like
anything that would get meoutside of my thoughts and
feelings.
Um, the majority of the time Iwould say like, I do have like
positive things like growing upit was soccer.
It was like keeping myself asbusy as I could with athletics
(13:49):
or keeping my body moving so Ididn't have to sit still.
Um, and as I'm like growingolder and outta soccer, it's
more just like work, the podcaststuff, social media.
Um, I absolutely do that.
Yeah.
Jon (14:04):
Yeah.
And then we usually workourselves ragged, and then we
find ourselves in a burnout,right?
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
The, the whole moderation thingis very difficult because I'm
either, Filled with energy anddoing a bunch of things on my
list, right?
I'm a go getter or I amcompletely tapped out and I
can't do the simplest of thingsin a day.
(14:25):
Um, so I I totally understandthat.
Uh, do you have anything, sotraditionally right now we're,
we're getting older.
I don't know.
How are, are you coming up on30?
Are you a little older now?
I am
Angelica (14:37):
turning 25
Jon (14:38):
this year.
Lucky.
All right, cool.
I am actually turning 30 nextweek, so Nice.
Um, my knees are hurt.
Everything hurts really bad.
I play a lot of basketball, soI'm injured a lot as well.
I'm.
In this phase where I'm tryingto understand if there's any
other physical wellnesspractices that I can use to get
out of my head right now becausebasketball is too hard on my
(15:00):
knees.
Mm-hmm.
Obviously.
Do you have anything other thansoccer that you do for physical
wellness?
Mm-hmm.
Angelica (15:07):
Um, so running used to be a big thing for me, but like
you said, my knees can no longerhandle it.
Um, so I think especiallythrough covid, I found myself
like just really loving goingfor a walk.
And that has been such like amental shift for me too, because
I think growing up a high levelathlete, like you wouldn't
consider a walk a workout oranything that's like, good for
(15:29):
your body cuz it's, it's just awalk.
But I think it's like thatintentionality piece behind it.
If you.
Tell yourself like, you're goingfor a walk, you're going to get
some movement today.
You can like speed walk if youwant.
Um, but I, I really do enjoywalking.
Cause I think it gets a good mixof like that movement, that
fresh air put on a good song.
(15:49):
Like you can feed your soul andreally just enjoy yourself.
But then on the other side ofthings, I've really gotten into
yoga.
Um, which is funny because as wewere just talking about how like
I always wanted to get out of myhead and like keep myself busy.
So, That was one of the firstthings that was like, prescribed
to me was like, you know, tryyoga, try meditation.
(16:11):
But at that time in my life, Icould not be still for a second.
Like, I went to a yoga class andliterally had a panic attack and
had to leave.
Like I could not be still.
But now it's one of my favoritethings to do and I honestly like
put on shorts for thisrecording.
Cause I'm like, after thisrecording, I need to do yoga
tonight because I, I like feelthat.
(16:32):
Anxiety and like, I need to movemy body in like a calm way.
So I think that just highlightsthat like it really depends on
where you're at in your life andwhat's serving you, because it
absolutely did not serve me backwhen my anxiety was at an all
time high, but now it is like areally good way for me to tap
into myself, practice thatself-awareness and still move my
(16:53):
body in that way that like,Fuels my athletic background.
Jon (16:59):
Right.
And you're honestly answeringthat call to yourself, which is
why you put the shorts on today.
I thought that was interestingcuz you know, you've been
talking about kind of in a ruttright now, I'm in a rut as well.
But you told yourself like, II'm gonna do it anyway tonight.
I'm gonna do this frigging yoga.
Right.
And you have to the i it's onyour have to list honestly,
(17:20):
isn't it?
And canned lists.
Honestly, it's on both lists.
That's how important it is.
Um, so I think answering thatcall to yourself and doing it no
matter what, having that energyis really important.
And now hearing you say that, soI, I was doing Tai Chi for a
couple weeks.
I was trying to do, Like movingmeditation cuz when I'm too
frantic, also the meditation isvery difficult for me.
(17:43):
And, uh, all the things I do arevery fast, you know?
Mm-hmm.
So trying to slow down is verydifficult, but I, I'm probably
gonna take your word for it andtry to go to a couple yoga
classes.
I have friends who are yogateachers.
They tell me to come all thetime, you know, but we always
make excuses for everything whenwe're in ruts.
Like, I'm too tired, uh, I don'thave enough money, or, you know,
(18:05):
I'm just, I just don't feel likeit.
But, uh, I think you gottaoutsmart yourself when you're in
a rut, right?
Angelica (18:12):
Trial and error too.
Like if you go to that yogaclass and you hate it, then
check it off your list and trysomething else.
Like, you don't have to punishyourself if something doesn't
work.
Even sometimes, like if I'm justcleaning, doing household
chores, you can tell yourselflike, this is for movement.
You can like squat every timeyou go to pick something up.
Like you can really make it yourown.
(18:32):
And it.
I think that phrase of like, Istarted calling it movement
rather than exercise or workingout because that really helps my
like body image side of life.
So that's been a good switch.
Jon (18:45):
I actually glossed over that.
The body image thing.
Was that linked to yourdepression?
Did those things work in tandem
Angelica (18:54):
in a short, no, but I can see how there was, um,
intertwined in this, um, thebody image.
Started, it was kind of a mix oflike social media and social
comparison and editing picturesand seeing other people online
and all of that that I am nowsuper, super passionate about
(19:16):
because of how much that didaffect me.
Um, but then also the entrypiece as well, which I think I
started to realize a little bitlater because.
If you know, like when you tearan ACL, for example, you like
lose your whole quad, like allyour muscle just disappears
within the first couple weekscuz you can't use it.
And that was so hard for me tolike, I think it was a lot of
(19:37):
the back, back and forth.
Like I would lose it, build itup again, then it would
disappear.
And I was like, okay, back inthe gym, build it up.
And it was a lot of like tryingto get used to the way that my
body looks and it just keptchanging against my will.
Like I didn't have control overit, which really stressed me
out.
So, I think those were like thetwo biggest pieces that played
Jon (19:56):
into that.
That's, I was actually going toask you about the social media
part.
Uh, so.
On a lot of my episodes, I talkabout the dangers of social
media and you know, if I didn'thave this podcast or write a
book, I probably wouldn't havesocial media for those obvious
reasons.
So that's, that's great thatyou're an advocate about it to
(20:17):
help people understand that.
And yeah, that's a crazy thingto worry about too, the whole
body image thing.
Now, I've had people come on totalk about body dysmorphia, and
that was mostly like working outstuff.
It was crazy because the guy wasin super good shape, you know,
but he was dealing with thisbody dysmorphia because of
(20:38):
seeing people on social media orseeing other people out in
public.
So I can, I can understand howthat can destroy you, you know?
Um, and this was all probablyrecently, like dealing with your
injuries and stuff like that.
So you don't deal with any ofthe body image stuff right now,
right?
Angelica (20:55):
Not as much.
I definitely still do.
I think there's always gonna bea little hint to that once it's
like taken up so much of yourbrain space and if you're always
on social media.
I think that's just anunfortunate side effect.
Um, but it's definitely gotten alot better than it was.
Jon (21:11):
That's good.
So you, you've been doing yourhealing work for that.
That's awesome.
Um, slowly, slowly.
But you know, it's, I think, uh,Todd told me one day it's all
about progress, not perfection.
And I'm like, damn, you'retotally right man.
That's some good shit rightthere.
Um, which also brings me to mynext point.
So what do you do for mentalhealth practices then?
(21:33):
So I remember in your TED Talkyou talked about, uh,
affirmations.
Do you do journaling?
I know you do yoga.
Yoga.
I'd considered to be a mentalhealth and a physical practice
too.
Mm-hmm.
Um, so are there any likespecific mental health practices
that you do?
Angelica (21:49):
Yeah.
Um, this is wild that we're likereferencing so much of the TED
Talk, but um, I say in there,like, I also break it down as
like mind, body, and soul.
So I try to be reallyintentional and aware about like
what coping strategy I'mchoosing.
So I know it.
I think just like when you tellyourself that, you trick
(22:09):
yourself into thinking it'sdoing more than it is.
Um, work harder or, sorry,worse, harder, not harder.
Um, So a big thing for me isreading for sure.
I am not a big journaler.
I've tried to get into itseveral times.
Not for me, but like I'll haverandom bursts where I just feel
like writing stuff down or do abrain dump, and those really
(22:31):
help, but not my go-to.
Um, so reading is good for mebecause I do kind of view that
as a distraction.
It's like getting out of yourhead and into another world, or
a new idea, new story.
So I'm all about that.
Um, physical, like my bodyportion of that is like anything
movement related, like walking,yoga for sure, playing sports,
(22:54):
playing with my dog, likeliterally anything.
Um, and then that soul piece islike doing things that really
fill you up.
So whether that's like hangingout with friends or watching a
funny TV show, just laughing mybutt off by myself, like really
just, I think it's how I tellmyself what I'm doing and you
can make anything so.
(23:15):
Like you can call orderingMcDonald's, sitting in bed, like
your soul portion.
It's, and then that just likechanges the way that it affects
you,
Jon (23:24):
I think.
I think you mentioned it as, uh,that intent, right?
That intentionality for doingthings right.
Yeah.
So you can make anything aboutthe soul, right?
Yeah, like I said, I actuallyre-watched the TED Talks, so
that's why I'm referencing it alot because it was awesome.
Um, thank you.
I appreciate it.
Yeah, I'll be dropping links forit as well.
Um, so I also noticed that youwent to a concert the other
(23:48):
weekend too, so I just had.
Was it?
Was it a good concert
Angelica (23:53):
though?
It was.
My aunt actually won tickets onthe radio and she couldn't go,
so we found out like the day ofand we're like, oh crap, let's
go.
Jon (24:01):
Oh, nice.
Did you like the artist?
At least it was
Angelica (24:05):
Charlie Poth.
Do you know who that
Jon (24:06):
is?
I know Charlie Po.
Yeah.
Yeah,
Angelica (24:08):
so I only really know, sorry, this isn't awkward to
say, but I only know a couple ofhis songs.
So some of it was a little notsuper fun, but we still had a
good time.
Jon (24:19):
Well, that's good.
I mean, it was a free show too,right?
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
So, uh, last week I just hadsome buddies on, uh, they're in
a band, uh, my buddy's fromDetroit, Michigan, and they're
talking about the importance ofmusic as hobbies and also like
seeing live music.
So I would definitely put seeinglive music on a part for your
soul as well.
(24:39):
Mm-hmm.
Absolutely.
Or just doing somethingimpulsive and fun, right?
Mm-hmm.
Um, which is exactly what
Angelica (24:45):
that was.
Jon (24:47):
It's a free show too.
Gotta love it.
So what are your thoughts onmental health in general?
I know we're in differentcountries right now, so although
we're only separated by animaginary line that really
important people came up withlike a border.
Um, we're on the same continentand I think mental health is
taken differently in, in a lotof countries, actually, all of
them.
Right.
Do you notice that it's beentaken more seriously in Canada
(25:11):
than it has been previously?
It's a
Angelica (25:14):
loaded question.
It's a simple question, but it'sloaded cuz I think you have to
look at the mental healthconversation from so many
different lenses.
Um, there's like the stigmapiece and how, you know,
podcasts like this exists andpeople are talking about it.
There's social media pages, um,people have like mental health
days at work.
Mental health is listed as aresource on like school
(25:35):
websites.
So, All of that has definitelycome very far.
None of that was really a thingback when I was in high school,
like when my struggles firststarted.
So on that note, like yes, ithas improved, has come a long
way, but the stigma stillexists.
People are still very hesitantabout the word therapy,
medication, complex mentalillnesses.
(25:57):
People aren't really willing toaccept things like schizophrenia
or bipolar disorder because theydon't understand it and.
All they know is pretty muchfrom the media or these
inherited beliefs that reallypaint them in a negative light.
So there's that side, and thenthere's like the actual
healthcare side and receivingtherapy and treatment.
(26:18):
And that looks different, ofcourse, where you're at in the
world based on what insuranceyou have, what your healthcare
system looks like.
And in Canada, I think it'ssometimes a little bit deceiving
because we do have freehealthcare.
Um, but the free resources forcounseling and things are often,
like year long waits, um, prettyinaccessible to people.
(26:38):
The ones that you will get rightaway are ones that you have to
pay for, and not many insurancescover that, or they give you
very little, um, which I know ispretty common to the states as
well.
So, yeah, it's.
I think there's so many ways youcan break it down, like public
policy advocacy as well,curriculum in schools.
So it, it's such a bigconversation.
Jon (27:01):
So in order to not make it so loaded, do you think we're
heading in the right directionthen?
I definitely think we are.
Angelica (27:10):
I think we are moving in a good way.
Still a lot of little yellowflags along the road, I think,
because sometimes it comes withthat, like over awareness and
over education slash likeinappropriate education
misinformation that's sharedonline and I think that really
gets in people's heads and.
(27:32):
Clouds over, like the pointwe're trying to get across.
So yes, I think we do, but Ithink we are still going to,
it's not gonna be like one bighappy leap.
There's still bumps we need toget
Jon (27:43):
over, right?
But I mean, there's people likeyou and Todd and, and myself and
other people I've met that aretrying to get us in the right
direction and have a stay in theright direction, I should say.
I even thought it was weird,like some family members.
Just thought I partied too muchwhen I, you know, I was going
through active addiction.
They're just like, well, whydon't you just stop?
You know, and it's, I've come tonotice over the years that it is
(28:05):
a disease, you know?
And the media does.
And the media in both countries,in all countries portrays people
with mental illness as likethese lepers, you know, and, you
know, everyone really just needsa, a helping hand sometimes too.
So the one thing that isalarming is the conversation
around men's mental health.
(28:25):
And I've been doing a littleresearch into that on social
media as well.
Um, what do you think we can doto help the men out here?
You should
Angelica (28:35):
have Ryan Forsyth on your podcast.
Jon (28:38):
I was talking to him, actually.
Oh, really?
Okay.
Yeah, I hit him up.
I've
Angelica (28:42):
had him on my podcast twice.
He is such an amazing men'smental health advocate, but not
just that, just a person.
Um, but I've learned so muchfrom him and the few
conversations I've had, and justfrom his posts.
I think you can reallyunderstand this issue talking to
any men in your life.
Like I grew up, I have twobrothers, I have a dad, I have
lots of male role models aroundme.
(29:04):
Um, and it was very clear themessaging that they received
that they were not allowed toexpress their emotions.
It's very tied into likesexuality and masculinity, that
if you show any sign of weaknessor ask for help, then.
If you're called gay forwhatever reason, and I think
that just ties into a wholenother issue of sexuality in
(29:26):
general.
But, um, I think there's a lotwe can do to support the men in
our lives, and that's like firstand foremost just giving them
space.
A safe space to express theiremotions, whether that's with a
romantic partner, a best friend,a sibling, really just showing
them that it is okay to feel, totalk about feelings and that you
(29:47):
don't have to man up all thetime and be this big alpha male.
Like it's okay to slow down andbe a human sometimes.
So I think a lot can happen justfrom giving young boys that
messaging.
Um, so that they know that whatmaybe you grew up with and what
other men in my life have grownup with is not.
Jon (30:08):
The be all, end all right.
And I, I'm definitely a part ofthat.
Obviously, you know, I, I callit generational, uh, gender
conditioning.
What has happened in terms ofthat?
I never understood that, cuz I,I went to a private school, uh,
for the majority of my life andso I was a little sheltered and
I didn't even hear the, uh, theword, um, Uh, faggot.
(30:30):
I didn't, I didn't even hearthat until I was like 14 and
somebody called me and I wasjust like, I, I was like thrown
back.
I'm, and it was just because Iwas like a bubbly kid, you know,
and I played Pokemon, right.
And they'll, they'll just throwthat word out because I'm like,
happy.
Right?
And I never understood that.
And that, that also likespiraled obviously with the
(30:52):
drugs and stuff later on.
Having that conversation withguys with vulnerability, I think
sharing my story and also, um,the, the guy you mentioned too,
to share that story with theyounger men and boys and to tell
people it's okay to talk aboutthis stuff.
I think that's gonna be a bighelp in reducing suicide rates
(31:12):
in men.
And, um, obviously opening thedoor for a better talk on that.
So, but we, we got a long way togo.
I know we're in the rightdirection.
Um, mm-hmm.
So what else do you have plannedfor your brand?
What is on Angelica's plate?
Are you gonna be podcasting infive years from now?
Writing a book, more Ted Talks?
(31:33):
What are you gonna be doing?
Angelica (31:36):
Uh, that's a hard question.
Truthfully, I don't know.
Um, I am very new in my like,professional career.
I just graduated two years agoand I started working full time.
Before I did that, I also, Istarted my master's cause I
thought I wanted to be acounselor, but then I ended up
dropping out because the programdidn't feel right for me.
(31:59):
Um, so I think that has beenlike a little shift cause I
thought I was still gonna be inschool at this point in my life.
Um, so I think I'm trying to bemore, go with the flow and less
like, have a plan for everythingbecause that's how I've been my
whole life.
Um, but I.
Can say that I like, definitelyenjoy where I'm at now.
I love podcasting.
(32:21):
I love having a community onlinethat like allows me to show up
in the way that I do.
And I've gotten a lot more likespeaking engagements this year.
Um, just that like schools andthings.
And I found that like I, Igenuinely love, love doing that.
Just connecting with people,sharing my stories, sharing a
lot about like mindsets andperspectives that I've learned
(32:43):
through.
Some of the shit that I've hadto deal with and really just
trying to like show a piece ofmyself in other people and know
that like you're not alone.
It is possible to get throughthis really tough time.
So yeah, I don't have any exactplans.
I would like to write a book oneday.
I've been told that I should.
(33:03):
She's finding the time to dothat.
So yeah, we'll see what happens.
But I think right now I'mcontinuing on.
Where I'm at.
Jon (33:11):
I think you should definitely write a book and keep
podcasting if that meansanything.
Angelica (33:16):
It does.
It's what I wanna do.
Honestly, I like you said at thebeginning, you work cuz you have
to pay the bills, but this islike definitely what brings me
the most passion
Jon (33:26):
and fulfillment, changing people's lives, helping people
understand that, you know, likeyou said, we're not alone in
this.
So that, that's huge.
Yeah, working a job to pay thebills and then coming back to do
something like creative, likethis is very inspiring.
Um, do you speak at schools alot
Angelica (33:43):
now?
Not as much as I'd like to.
Um, honestly, what I do for mylike, professional job is like
the mental health presentation,so I get to do a bit of both,
which I like.
So I, I do love my job.
It's not just to pay the bills.
I am still in like that helpingrole, which I really enjoy.
Um, but yeah.
You know what I mean?
Jon (34:03):
Right, right, right.
So obviously you wanna speak atmore schools then.
Do you want to get out theremore?
I.
Yeah, I think the, the key tounderstanding the youth right
now is probably the mostimportant thing for, for you and
for, uh, myself and the peoplearound me.
We, we were at a really weirdtime where technology was, you
know, we, we grew up a littlebit without it.
(34:26):
Then we got hit with it.
But like for the generationsbeneath us that have literally
been raised with it, I'm, I'mvery concerned.
Obviously we, we touched alittle bit on social media,
which man, even the people whoare using it, we don't even
understand how dangerous it is.
And we're letting like 10 yearolds have Instagrams.
So I think.
What you're doing, speaking atschools and also everything else
(34:49):
that you're doing is, is, isawesome.
Honestly, it's, it's an honor tohave you on here because I, I
wish that I could get out theremore like you and Todd.
Do you guys inspire me a lot soI can get out there and speak
like you guys?
Angelica (35:01):
Well, thanks.
Um, but yeah, just quickly onthat social media piece, it is
such a scary concept knowingthat like, We don't even know
how it's gonna affect us.
I think we were at least alittle bit older before
technology became everything inour daily lives, but Right.
It's gonna be an interestingtransition.
Um, Especially just like in apost covid world.
(35:24):
I think that definitely impacted
Jon (35:26):
things as well.
Oh, totally.
Now think about this.
So in the fifties, or I think itwas before that they used to do
ads for cigarettes, right?
And they're like, yeah, doctorsare like, smoke one of these a
day.
Okay.
And now like 60, 70 years later,they're like, You're gonna die
if you do this.
Right?
So if we're just using thesocial media all willy-nilly,
(35:49):
and I'm not saying that theytold like two or three year olds
to have social media like acigarette, you know, but I, I
still think that at the age of12, it's really bad to have them
so enveloped in a perception ofthemselves that they don't even
understand, you know?
Mm-hmm.
Angelica (36:06):
Just like general development, like that's not
normal, like Right.
We don't know how it's gonnaaffect our brains in the way we
develop socially because we'reconnected online and we're not
actually having face-to-faceinteractions.
Like, that's so scary
Jon (36:20):
to think about.
I know.
I, it's, it's pretty fucked up,honestly.
Um, I, yeah, it, it scares theshit outta me, I'll be honest
with you.
Cuz there's nothing moredangerous than, uh, a species
of.
You know, intelligent beings whobecome extremely nihilistic.
You know, in my opinion, I thinkthat's what's happening with
(36:41):
technology, or at least theyounger kids.
So it's
Angelica (36:45):
like just technology in everyday life too.
Like at my sushi place, they nowhave a robot that serves you and
it's like programmed to come toyour table.
You pick your food off the tray.
It goes back to the next table.
Like that is so scary.
I don't like just thinkingabout, I'm like terrified that
robots are gonna take over andwe're all gonna die.
So, oh God, that's my deepest,darkest fear.
Jon (37:07):
I mean, shit, if they're bringing me sushi though, uh, I
love sushi, so I
Angelica (37:13):
love them.
I love the robots for bringingme sushi, but the fact that they
can do that and they know whereto go.
How to like sense differentthings.
It's like honestly
Jon (37:22):
terrifying.
Yep.
Yes it is.
And we're, we're pretty muchright there, honestly.
And with AI too.
That's a whole notherconversation.
Don't get me started on that.
My, uh, my girlfriend comes homeand tells me that they, they
have tools now for putting kids'papers into a, a generator that.
Basically tells them if theyused an AI tool to write like a
(37:45):
three page essay.
I'm like, that's fucking crazy,dude.
Like, how can you not write alittle paper?
Like people are being so lazyright now, you know?
Angelica (37:54):
It's a crutch.
It literally becomes a crutchand then people forget how to
stop, start using their brains.
It's, ugh, this is a wholenother topic.
It gets me So heated
Jon (38:05):
technology and, and AI and social media.
Yeah.
Three worst spheres.
So, Honestly, those three, threethings are, uh, top tier bad,
honestly.
So I think we touched on a lotof really good things today.
Mm-hmm.
Do you have any tips for anybodyout there who might be
struggling with some shit?
Angelica (38:26):
Yes.
Um, I think it's alwaysimportant to first just like
acknowledge the shit if you'regoing through a tough time.
If you've lost someone, ifyou're going through mental
health challenges, like it'sokay to just say like, Hey, I'm
going through something rightnow.
I'm not gonna be at my best.
It's okay to kind of likeexperience these.
(38:47):
Trials and tribulationsthroughout life.
Um, I think that really givesyou space at the beginning to
feel what you need to feel, butalso like not judge yourself for
it, which helps you in kind ofthat next step of the healing
journey, which is like whenyou're ready to take the steps.
Say if you've been in bed forthree days and like today, you
feel ready to do yoga.
(39:09):
Like, put on your pair ofshorts, tell yourself that
you're gonna do this.
It's often those like small twominutes of effort, um, getting
outta bed, changing yourclothes, washing your face,
eating something, drinkingwater.
Like if you can just tellyourself to keep doing that,
like next hard, simple, but hardthing, um, you can really just
(39:30):
keep setting yourself up forthat.
Again, it's constantly that nextstage and investing in like your
future self, which is hard.
Especially if, like for me,dealing with the depression,
like when that black cloud isthere, you really can't see past
that current horrible moment.
But if you can find like thatlittle, little burst of energy
or that little thing that makesyou smile, like really hang onto
(39:53):
that, um, and use that to youradvantage when you need it,
which is often like the next dayor if like you're just needing
some sort of inspiration.
I.
Um, it is there.
Sometimes you just have to looka little bit harder.
Jon (40:05):
Shit, I'm honest.
I think I gotta go home andactually do everything you just
said, honestly.
Angelica (40:12):
Um, I think that's where I'm at today cuz like,
it's been like, I, like I textedyou today, I was like, I need to
change outta my pa cause I wasin my pajamas all day and I.
My routine this week has been sobad cause I've just been in this
rut.
Um, and that's why today I waslike, I feel like I need to move
my body.
I was doing this podcast, I'mlike, let me shower, let me look
like a human, um, and then likedo something for me, which is
(40:35):
gonna be yoga.
So I'm excited
Jon (40:37):
to do it, but it was just those two minutes of effort,
like you said, that you neededto do.
Now you're excited to do someyoga?
I actually went and hoopedyesterday.
Um, I hadn't hooped in like amonth, and luckily no one's in
the gym because if there's likefive on five going on, like I'm
a hundred percent.
Adrenaline junkie.
So I'm, I'm jumping in.
(40:58):
Right.
So it was good that nobody wasthere, cuz I got to like, take
it slow, you know, and practicemy shooting and whatnot.
Um, I need, I, I'm right therewith you.
I need to take some efforttonight to make some really
doable lists.
You know, cuz sometimes I gooverboard with my list, you
know, I'll take a sheet of paperand make a list of things that
(41:20):
don't all need to be done inthat day, you know?
Mm-hmm.
But then I like worry about thefuture cuz I made that list, you
know?
So.
Mm-hmm.
I think honestly, try
Angelica (41:29):
the must do can do.
It's a lifesaver, like it'sreally helpful for deadlines.
Like for me, I normally get myepisodes out Friday, so I know
like these are the things I needto do today and these are the
things that like I could do.
But it really just helps you, Ithink, spare your mental
Jon (41:47):
energy.
Right.
You know what, I'm gonna givethat a shot tonight.
I'm gonna take your word for it.
It helps me.
Yeah.
I, I think we all need help.
I need some help.
So, you know, I think it's crazythat we're both in a rut right
now while we're like recordingthis.
So hopefully we inspire somepeople to get up there and live
a better life cuz that's what Ineed right now.
(42:09):
Mm-hmm.
So I really appreciate youcoming out, talking tonight.
This was awesome.
And thank you.
Yeah, I, yeah.
Honestly, I'm honored to haveyou on here.
If you haven't already, gofollow her on all the social
media platforms.
Check out her TED Talk.
I'm putting the link in thedescription.
It's fucking awesome.
So watch the Ted Talk, followher and listen to the
(42:32):
revolutionized mind too, cuzthere's some damn good episodes
out there.
So thank you.
No problem.
I appreciate everybody comingout.
Y'all have a good rest of yourday, weekend.
Good.
Start to your week and stay upand feel free.
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